protection. The alcedo, or kingsfisher, is another genus of this order, whose species haunt streams and rivers for the little fishes on which they feed, and are most dextrous anglers in catching them. To these we may add the

cuculus or cuckoo, that, with the same want of natural affection which marks the ostrich, builds no nest for its eggs, except under particular circumstances, but avails itself of that of the hedgesparrow, or some other bird, and abandons to foster-parents the care of its eggs.

The THIRD ORDER of birds is denominated ANSERES, and in English WEB-FOOTED: they are ordinarily characterised by having the bill covered with skin, broad or gibbous at the tip, and a palmate or web foot, formed for swimming: the tongue is uniformly fleshy, and the bill, in many instances, denticulate or toothed. It includes only thirteen kinds, of which I may take as examples, the anas, comprehending the very numerous families of duck, goose, swan, wild duck, teal and shoveler; the mergus or merganser; alca or awk; aptenodytes or penguin; pelecanus or pelecan; colymbus, comprising the grebes, guillemots and divers, and procellaria or petrel. The petrels have an extraordinary habit of spouting from their bills a considerable quantity of oil upon any object that offends them. The procellaria pelegica, or stormy petrel, is the most daring of all birds during a tempest, though not more than six inches long. The moment he beholds the black clouds collecting, he quits

his rocky retreat and enjoys the magnificent and growing spectacle; he darts exultingly athwart the concave, and skims with triumphant temerity the loftiest peaks and deepest vallies of the most tremendous waves. The appearance of this bird is, to the sailor, a sure presage of an approaching storm.

The GRALLE or WADERS, from the FOURTH order of birds in the Linnéan system. They are characterised by possessing a roundish or subcylindric bill, a fleshy tongue, and legs naked above the knees. The ardea, or genus that includes the herons, cranes, and bitterns, is the most numerous. The scolopax, which includes. the curlew, snipe, and woodcock; the tringa, which includes the sandpiper, the ruff and reeve, and the lap-wing or pewit; the fulica, which includes the gallinule, coot, and moor-hen; and the charadrius or plover are among those that are most familiar to us. To this order also belongs the tantalus or ibis, so celebrated for the divine honours paid to it for many ages throughout Egypt; and, at least, a most valuable bird from its clearing the land of those numerous reptiles and insects, which are left upon its surface after the exundations of the Nile. It is the abu-hannes of Bruce, which, however, M. Cuvier regards as not properly a tantalus; and has, consequently, made a distinct genus for receiving it, to which he has given the name of neumenius; and hence, under his classification, it is a Neumenius Ibis, instead of a Tantalus Ibis.

The FIFTH ORDER embraces the GALLINÆ or GALLINACEOUS BIRDS; those which strictly come under the denomination of poultry. They are chiefly characterised by having a convex bill, with the upper mandible arched. They are the least numerous of all the orders next to the ACCIPITRES, and extend to not more than ten kinds or genera; many of which, however, are very extensive in their species. The kinds most familiar to us are the phasianus or pheasant, including all the families, and their numerous varieties or common cock and hen; the tetrao or partridge, including all the families and their numerous varieties of grouse, red-game, blackgame, ptarmigan, and quail; the pavo or peacock; and meleagris or turkey. To this order also belong the numidia, pintado or guinea-hen, the otis or bustard, the didus or dodo, and the struthio, including those large and stately birds, the emeu, cassowary, and ostrich: the last of which, though incapable of flying, derives from its wings a fleetness of running, that is unrivalled by any animal whatever. This bird is capable of being tamed, and may be conveniently rode; and Adanson asserts, that, when mounted, it will surpass the speed of the most rapid courser. He tells us, that while he was at the factory at Podore, he was in possession of two tame ostriches, the oldest of which, though young, would carry two negroes upon its back, with a rapidity superior to what has ever been exhibited by the fleetest racer upon the Newmarket turf.

The LAST ORDER of the bird class is entitled PASSERES, for which, in the sense here intended, we have no exact English synonym: but it is designed to include various kinds and families, which, for the most part, may be denominated small birds, and singing birds. They are characterized by having the bill conic, and sharppointed; and the nostrils naked. To this order belongs the alauda or lark kind; the columba, pigeon, and dove kind; the emberiza or bunting, including the yellow-hammer; the fringilla or finch, with all its numerous species of gold-finch, green-finch, thistle-finch, linnet, and sparrow; the hirundo, including the swift, swallow, and martin; the loxia or grosbeak, including the bull-finch and haw-finch, the only finches, I am at present aware of, that do not belong to the fringilla genus: and the motacilla, a most interesting group, as including the nightingale, whose song surpasses that of all the singing birds of the grove; and the red-breast, whose song is, indeed, less sonorous and striking, but who is so justly celebrated and beloved for his social qualities; together with all the amusing species. and varieties of wrens and wag-tails. To the order of passeres appertain also the pipra or manakin, some of which are peculiarly musical; and the turdus, comprising those sweet melodious choristers, the thrush, the throstle, and the blackbird.

Such is a brief and scanty survey of the interesting and instructive class of birds: and