tuality, that their appearance may be looked for with confidence, within a day or two of the customary time.

These simple facts are nearly all we can be said to know with certainty upon the subject. We can give no satisfactory explanation of their cause, and should therefore candidly admit our ignorance. The truest philosophy is to look upon birds as acting under an impulse implanted in their constitution by the Creator, and winging their flight under His guidance. Such a reflection will

make us listen with higher pleasure to the voice of the Cuckoo, and look with increased interest on the graceful flight of the Swallow. The experience of every day teaches that "the Stork in the heavens knoweth her appointed times, and the Turtle and the Crane (Fig. 171) and the Swallow observe the time of their coming."

Nests and Young.-The nests of our native birds exhibit great diversity in situation, structure, and materials. Some of those belonging to foreign countries appear even more ingenious and artistical, though of course not better adapted to the wants of their respective occupants. Thus, the nests of the Baya, a bird of Hindostan,

Fig. 171.-CRANE.

are formed of long grass woven together in the shape of a bottle (Fig. 172), and suspended to the extremity

of a flexible branch, the more effectually to secure the eggs and young brood from serpents, monkeys, squirrels, and birds of prey. These nests contain several apartments, appropriated to different purposes.

Another species, called, with great justice, the Tailor-bird, collects, from the cotton-plant, fibres of cotton, and with them sews two leaves together, the bill being used as a

needle. The nest is concealed in the space between the two leaves (Fig. 173).

When the nests evince so much skill and labour in their construction, it may well be supposed that the young, for whose especial use they are formed, are not neglected; and in point of fact they are objects of the most incessant care. The attention bestowed upon them is so continual, and so full of tenderness, that it is not in the power of language to convey a more vivid idea of affectionate solicitude, than is implied by a simple reference to their ordinary habits.* We can feel, therefore, the truth and beauty of the picture given by the poet :

"In hollow trees, or thickets, these concealed

Their exquisitely woven nests, where lay

Their callow offspring, quiet as the down

On their own breasts, till from her search the dam
With laden bill returned, and shared the meal
Among her clamorous suppliants all agape;
Then, cowering o'er them with expanded wings,
She felt how sweet it is to be a mother."

MONTGOMERY'S "PELICAN ISLAND."

According to the most recent authority upon the subject, there are about 5,000 different species of birds known to na

The reader will recall to mind, as an example of this, the memorable words— "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee: how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!"-LUKE Xiii, 34.

turalists at the present time. These are divided into about a thousand genera, founded upon differences of structure. Accurate examination has shown that each change of external character is accompanied by a corresponding change of internal organization. The shape of the organs by which the food is taken, indicate the form and structure of those by which it is swallowed and digested. For example, if we meet a bird that has a short beak and curved claws, we shall find that it has also a wide gullet and a membraneous stomach: so that, in point of fact, "the external parts afford an index to the internal."

Upon these principles, the following classification has been adopted; all birds being arranged in five Orders:

I. Birds of Prey, as

II. Perchers, as

Vultures, Eagles, Owls (Raptores).
Sparrows, Linnets, Crows (Insessores).

III. Scraping Birds, as Pheasants, Fowls (Rasores).

Herons, Bitterns (Grallatores).

IV. Waders, as

V. Swimmers, as

Geese, Divers, Gulls (Natatores).

ORDER I.-BIRDS OF PREY.

RAPTORES.

THESE Birds are distinguished by a strong hooked bill and stout muscular legs; the toes are rough below, and armed with powerful, sharp, curved talons. They are arranged in three families: the Vultures, the Falcons, and Owls.

I.

VULTURES-VULTURIDE.

"Above, the mountain rears a peak,

Where Vultures whet the thirsty beak,*

And theirs may be a feast to-night,

Shall tempt them down ere morrow's light."-BYRON.

VULTURES, in most cases, have the claws less curved than

either Falcons or Owls, the feet generally naked, and the "Whet the thirsty beak." The idea of whetting the beak is erroneous.