ry short; the lesser quills ending in a point. The tail is
rather lengthened and considerably rounded, each feather lanceolate, and
gradually attenuated to a fine point. The tarsi are somewhat elevated,
thickly clothed with feathers to the base of the toes, and over the
membrane which connects them. The length of this bird Mr. Swainson
thinks to have been 25 inches. The female bird, it should be added, has
neither the scale-like feathers nor projecting shafts of the male.

[5] See the Rhinoceros Bird, page 312. _The Mirror_, No. 547.

The CLAW is that of the PILEATED WOODPECKER, (Picus _Dryotomus_)
_Pileatus_, SWAINSON, which has much less power than the claw of the
typical Woodpecker; the anterior toe (i.e. middle toe,) being longer and
stronger than the posterior--a structure the very reverse of that which
characterizes the typical species.

LEGS AND FEET of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED GROUSE, (_Tetrao
Franklinii_, DOUGLAS,) which are thickly covered with long and hair-like
feathers. The bird inhabits the valleys of the Rocky Mountains from the
sources of the Missouri to those of the Mackenzie, and Mr. Douglas
informed Dr. Richardson that it is sparingly seen on the elevated
platforms which skirt the snowy peaks of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens,
and Mount Baker. He adds, "It runs over the shattered rocks, and among
the brushwood with amazing speed, and only uses its wings as a last
effort to escape."

The birds of North America include about 320 species. They are divided
into migratory and resident; though comparatively few in the fur
countries are strictly entitled to be called resident. The raven and
Canadian and short-billed jays were the only species recognised as being
equally numerous at their breeding-places in winter and summer. Many of
the species which raise two or more broods within the United States rear
only one in the fur countries, the shortness of the summer not admitting
of their doing more. We have mentioned the number and beauty of the
hawks and owls. The white-headed eagle inhabits the fur countries as
well as the United States. The melody of the song-birds is described to
be exquisite. The verdant lawns and cultivated glades of Europe fail in
producing that exhilaration and joyous buoyancy of mind which travellers
have experienced in treading the Arctic wilds of America, when their
snowy covering had just been replaced by an infant but vigorous
vegetation. The duck family are, however, the bi