the tropics. They are characterized by extraordinary length of wing and feeble feet; they are hence well formed for flight, and disport in the air far out at sea; on land they are seen perching on rocks and trees.

The COMMON TROPIC BIRD, P. æthereus, is somewhat larger than a partridge. The bill is red, with an angle under the lower mandible, as in the Gulls. The eyes are surrounded with black, which ends in a point towards the back of the head; three or four of the largest quill feathers, towards their ends, are black · tipped with white; all the rest of the plumage is white, except the back, which is variegated with curved lines of black; the legs and feet are of a vermilion red. These birds are seldom seen but a few degrees north or south of either tropic. They glide along, most frequently without any motion of the wing, but at times, this smooth progression is interrupted by sudden jerks. When they perceive a ship, they never fail to sail around it as if to reconnoitre. They ordinarily return every evening to land to roost in the midst of the rocks where they place their nests. The long feathers of the tail are used by the inhabitants of the South Sea Islands as ornaments of dress.

What is the 2nd order of AQUATIC BIRDS? What is said of their distribution? What of the Grebe's foot? What is said of the feet of the other SWIMMERS? What of their motion on land and in the water? What is remarked of their plumage? What peculiarity of these birds is noticed by Cuvier? Have any of them very high powers of flight? What is said of their flesh? What are their resorts? How many families does this order include?

Give the leading characteristics of the 1st FAMILY. What is said of their nests and young? Upon what do they feed? How does their beak aid them in obtaining their food? Are they assisted by any other organ? What birds form the connecting link between the SWIMMERS and WADERS? Do the TRUE DUCKS include many species? What is said of the Shoveler or Spoon-bill? What sp. are referred to and what is said of each? What SUB-FAMILY is mentioned? How many genera does it include? Where are the Sea Ducks mostly found? What is said of their migration? Where do they make their nests? How do they cover their eggs? Which gen. includes peculiarly Marine Ducks? For what is the Eider D. remarkable? What is peculiar in its beak? What does Dr. Kane say of its appearance, &c. ? What facts show the great numbers of these birds at the north? What is said of their nests? How many kinds of down and how do they differ? Illustrate the elasticity of the live down. Where are the KingDucks found? What is said of their flesh and down? What is said of the Surf D.? What sp. is mentioned? Why is it called the Velvet D. and what is said of its down? Where is it very numerous? Where are the breeding places of the Canvas-backs? When are they seen on the coast of the U.S.? What else is said of them? What of the Spirit D.? Of the Long-tailed D.? Mention the different sp. of GEESE. Which of these

is the origin of the Common Domestic Goose? What is said of the Egyptian Goose? What SUB-FAMILY is named? How many gen. has it? What is said of the Smew? What of the Merganser?

What is the 2nd FAMILY? Are they more or less aquatic than the Ducks? What is said of the beak, &c.? What of the Loons and Grebes? What is said of their ability to walk and fly? What of their power as swimmers and divers? How do they use their wings under water? What is said of their plumage and food? Which are Ocean birds? Which Freshwater? What of the diving of the Grebes? Of their stomach? Which is the largest of the Loons? What is said of it? Which are the other sp. ? What is said of them?

Which is the 3rd FAMILY? What is said of their structure and habits? What characteristics are given? In moving under water do they use their feet? What insects do they resemble in such motion? Of what does their food consist, and how do they obtain it? Where are they seen in immense numbers? What is said of their eggs? In which hemisphere are the AUKS found? What birds fill their places in the Southern H.? What is said of their wings? Of their movements in water? For what are the PENGUINS peculiarly remarkable? What is said of the Great Auk? Of the Razor or Black-billed A.? Of the Common PUFFIN? Of the Little Guillemot? What relation do the Penguins sustain to the Swimming Birds? What does Swainson remark? What is said of the bones of the Penguins? What of their sensations? What of their habits? Which of their rookeries have attracted particular attention? Are they arranged with order? What is said of their extent? Describe the characteristics and habits of the Penguins, as given by Cheever.

Which is the 4th FAMILY? Give its characters. What are its habits? How many sp. in America? Which is the type of the TRUE PETRELS? In what localities is it found? To what class of persons is it a constant companion? What is this bird called by Dr. Kane? What other sp. are men-, tioned? Do they frequent the Southern Sea? Which is the largest? What does Darwin say of it? What names do sailors give these large P.? How does the Shearwater differ from the True Petrels? What is said of the Large S.? Of the Manx Puffin? Of the Little S.? What genus has been separated from the rest of this group? What is their size? Mention their habits? Which is the smallest of the Web-footed Birds? What do sailors call it? What is said of its plumage? What interesting particulars are given? What is said of Wilson's Petrel? Of the Forked-Tailed P.? What sp. of the Albatross is mentioned? What is said of the origin of the name? What is the size of the Common Albatross? Describe its plumage. What is its range? For what bird has it been supposed to have peculiar affection? What is said of its beauty and loveliness? What more is said of it?

Which is the 5th FAMILY? . What is said of the distribution and habits of these birds? Where are the larger Gulls most common? Which of the Swimmers are most decidedly land-birds? What Gulls roam inland? What order of birds do the Gulls resemble? Into what sections are they arranged? What distinctions does Swainson make? Which of the ForkedTailed Gulls are mentioned? What is said of the Black Skimmer? How many sp. of the TERN? What is said of the Common Tern? Of the Cay

enne T.? Whence does the Noody T. derive its name? What is said of it ? What of the Silvery T.? How many sp. of the Three-toed Gulls? What is said of the Great Black Backed G.? Of the Common G.? In what latitude do the Jagers breed? What characters are given? How does the Arctic Jager obtain its food? Upon what mollusk do they feed? What else is said of it?

What is the 6th FAMILY? How is it characterized? Do they swim or dive? What is said of their powers of flight? In what places do they build their nests? What is said of the eggs? Are the sp, numerous? Into what groups are they arranged? What is the size of the TRUE PELICANS? What use do they make of their pouch? What is Audubon's opinion relative to this subject? For what have the Pelicans been celebrated? How have they been depicted? Has this been done with good reason? What is said of the Common White P.? Of the Brown P.? What gen. includes the Cormorants? How do they differ from others of the family What bone is peculiar to the C.? What is said of the Common C.? Of the Green C. or Shag? Which is the most beautiful sp. in the U.S.? What gen. includes the DARTERS OF SNAKE BIRDS? What suggested the name? What is said of the Anhinga or American Snake B.? What group do the FRIGATE BIRDS resemble? How differ from them? How differ from them? Of what fish are they particularly fond? What other fish do they persecute? What does Ray say of them? Which is the only gen. and sp.? In what respects do the Gannets differ from the Frigate B.? What name is sometimes given to the Common G. of Europe? In what other regions is it found? What is said of the A. Gannet? Of the Booby? How are the TROPIC BIRDS distinguished and characterised? What is said of the Common Tropic B.?

GENERAL EXERCISE ON THE CHART.

What is the first division of Birds on the Chart? Into how many orders are the LAND BIRDS arranged? Name each, giving some peculiarity or characteristic. Name the SUB-ORDERS, and the forms or peculiarities of the bills upon which the divisions of Perching birds are based. Name and trace the families in each order. Which order is most numerous? Which the least numerous? Which contain the largest birds? Which the smallest ? Which are the most beautiful? Which the most ordinary? How are the WATER BIRDS divided? What kind of feet have they? Which wade? Which swim? What is the form of each? Which the most awkward? Which most useful? How do the bills vary in all the different orders? How the toes, wings, legs and necks?

EXPLANATION OF PLATE XII.

Fig. 1st. Skeleton of a Tortoise, with the under part (sternum or plastron,) removed to show how the back-bone and ribs are expanded and united together, forming the carapace, dorsal plate, or buckler.

H. The three-branched shoulder. I. Humerus, between the shoulder-joint and the elbow. K. Ulna. L. Radius, both bones of the fore-arm. R. Femur, or the thigh bone. S. Tibia, the largest, and Fibula, the smallest bones of the leg.

Fig. 2d. Skeleton of a Bird, consisting of A. Cranium or Skull. B. Cervical vertebræ. C. The anchylosed or immovably fixed vertebræ of the back. D. The caudal vertebræ. E. Ribs. F. Breast-bone. G. Furcula, or merrythought. H. Clavicle, or collar-bone. H*. Scapula, or shoulder-bone. I. Humerus. K, L. Bones of the fore arm, ulna, and radius. M. Metacarpus of hand. N. Phalanges of fingers. R. Femur, or thigh-bone. o, o. Patella, or knee-pan. S. Leg, tibia and fibula. T, T. Os calcis, or heel-bone. U, U. Metatarsal bones. V, V. Metacarpal bones. 0. Ilium. P. Pubis, and Q. Ischium, bones of the pelvis.

Fig. 3d. Skeleton of a Fish, showing the five sorts of fins, some of which are often absent. a, b, first and second dorsal fins on the ridge of the back, varying in number and form; c, the caudal or tail fin, as important to a fish as the rudder to a ship; d, anal fin, on the under part of the tail; e, one of the ventral fins which correspond to the hind feet of quadrupeds; f, one of the pectoral fins, which are analogous to the fore feet of quadrupeds, or the wings of birds.

Fig. 4th. Skeleton of a Frog, showing the absence (or mere rudiments,) of ribs, and its long hind limbs adapting it for sudden springs and long leaps. Fig. 5th. Skeleton of a Boa-constrictor, consisting of skull, a; vertebral column, b; and ribs, c. The ribs, 304 in number, come forward in succession, like the feet of a caterpillar, and form 152 pairs of levers by which the animal moves from place to place. The jaws, d, have on each side, a double row of sharp, strong, close-set teeth, pointing backwards, thus giving a firm hold of its victims.

Fig. 6th. Skeleton of a Chameleon, showing how the toes and tail are adapted for clinging to the branches of trees, and that the trunk is mounted high upon the legs, forming in this respect an exception to most reptiles.