land south of the island of Newfoundland; but are abundant on the shores of Hudson's Bay, Greenland, Spitzbergen, &c.

area

The panther differs from the tyger, only in its being something smaller and the skin spotted; whereas the tyger is streaked. Its cruelty and hostility to man is the same; and its aversion extends to the monkey, in search of which it will climb trees. The panther is found principally in Africa, the tyger in Asia; but both are found in both quarters of the world. They are all of the cat kind. The American tyger, which is called Couzar, is said to partake of the appearance of the lion also, and to prey upon deer and other animals.

2. This much will serve for an introduction to this branch; the second branch of zoology, is aves or birds; has it not a classical name?

A. Yes: it is called ornithology, and is divided into six classes.

1. Accipitres or the rapacious kind, which live upon flesh, prey upon other animals; and are known by their strong hooked beaks, muscular legs, strong talons, strength, and ferocity.

2. Pica, or the pie kind; which feed miscellaneously, and their females being fed by the males in breeding time; they have convex and compressed beaks.

3. Auseres, or the poultry kind; with fat muscular bodies, pure white flesh: unlike other birds, promiscuous in the choice of their mates; their beaks are various, depressed, dentated, or serrated.

4. Scolopaces, or the sparrow kind; mostly vocal and beautiful plumage; food, seeds and insects; while rearing remarkably fond and faithful; their beaks are subcylindric and some obtuse.

5. Gallina, or the duck kind; distinguished by their beaks, which serve them as food strainers; by webbed feet, which enables them to swim and remain on the water, their beaks flat, conical, and some crooked.

2

6. Passeres, or crane kind; long penetrating bills, which enable them to search in the waters for food; long limbs. ea

2. Are there not several birds that do not belong to either of these classes?

A. Yes....the Ostrich, Cassowary, Condour, Dodo, and some others of extraordinary size, which disables them from flying.

In the description of birds, the beaks is the first object by which the character is determined ....the feet, wings, and tail, successively follow. 2. What kind of bird is the Condour? c

A. No bird can compare with it for size, rapacity, strength, or swiftness; in force and vivacity it surpasses the eagle, its bald head and neck have caused it to be classed with the vulture.' It is very rare in all parts of the world, but is sometimes seen in our own country. One of these birds, shot on the coast of Chili, South America, was measured, and the wings from one extremity to the other were 16 feet. One of its quills was an inch and an half in circumference. Naturalists suppose this bird to be the Rock of which marvellous tales are told in the Arabian fables.