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Show 1866.] PROF. w. L I L L J E B O R G O N T H E CLASS O F BIRDS. 11 They generally walk and run with ease or very fast, and mostly live in damp places, near swamps or on the banks of watercourses. The majority fly fast and with ease; some fly badly. They live generally in the middle ("mittlere," Faber) monogamy*. Prsecoces. A great number of the Ardeidce are Altrices. Order 6. BREVIPENNES, Dumeril. The wings more or less rudimentary, and not adapted to flight. Pectoral bone without crista. A small number of large birds that run fast, and may be considered typical of the whole group. Their structure exhibits a strong tendency towards the mammalian. Some are said to live in the middle monogamy, others in single monogamy, and others again in polygamy. Prsecoces. Order 7. GALLING, Linne. The legs of a mediocre height, and the entire crus feathered f. The wings adapted to flying, but generally rather short and obtuse, and more or less bent. They run fast; but are easily fatigued by flying, and then hide among rocks, bushes, grass, &c. Some live in polygamy, but the majority live in middle monogamy. Prsecoces. Third Bivision or Subclass. INSESSORES, Vigors; Bonaparte. The entire crus and the lower part of femur free. The coat of feathers generally extends at least to the tarsal joint J. The hind toe with its base on a level with that of the anterior toes§, and very seldom missing. Order 8. PULLASTR.E, Sundevall. The bill not covered by a cere at the base, but generally naked there, and with an inflated skin at the nostrils. The point of the upper jaw rounded, but very seldom bent down in the form of a hook. Three toes directed forward, and not united together. The large upper wing-coverts of the first row on the lower arm extend beyond the middle of the cubital quills. Two carotides communes. The majority fly very fast; some do not fly so well, but these run fast. The majority live in double monogamy, a few in middle or single monogamy (Penelope), and a few in polygamy (Crax). The majority are Altrices, the others Prsecoces. "Note.-This order is evidently an intermediate group between Cursores and Insessores. The Talegallince, Penelopidce, and Bi-dunculidce exhibit some tendency towards the Accipitres. * Both the old ones attend to their young, but do not carry food to them, letting them, under their care, hunt for their own food. t The genus Ortyxelos,\ieill., is an exception to this. t Didunculus (Pleiodus) deviates from this, and has the lower part of the crus naked. § The Cathartini form an exception to this. |