THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.
SUB-KINGDOM VERTEBRATA.
CLASS U—AVES,

Classification. The Birds are distinguished from the Mammals
by many obvious characteristics, chief among which are their
bodily form, their feathery covering and their manner of
producing their young by means of eggs. The Birds form
the second class of the sub-kingdom Vertebrata and according
to the classification followed in this work are divided into ten
orders. These orders are, I Passeres: birds characterised by
the habit of perching; II Picariz: birds that climb, etc.
III Psittacini: the Parrots; IV Columbe: the Doves; V
Gallinze: the Fowls; VI Opisthocomi: the Hoazin of Brazil
and Guinea; VII Accipitres: the Birds of Prey; VIII Gralla-
tores: the birds that wade; [X Anseres: the Birds that swim;
X Struthiones: the Ostrich, the Emu, etc., etc.

ORDER I. The species of this order are very numerous, and

Perching have been variously divided by different authorities.

Birds. Mr. Wallace forms them into five groups, which
classification we shall find it convenient to follow. These
five groups are: I The Thrushes and Thrush-like perching
birds; II The Tanagers and similar kinds ; III The Starlings
and allied species; IV The Ant-eaters, etc., and V The Lyre
Birds, and the Scrub Birds of Australia. The first group
includes many well known feathered favourites: the Thrush;
the Blackbird; the Mocking Bird; the Tailor Bird ; the
Wren; the Robin; the Nightingale; the Titmouse; the

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