Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America

by John Cassin

II. ORDER INSESSORES. THE PERCHING BIRDS.

A group containing much the greater number of all known birds, almost impossible to characterise in general terms. The birds of this order are, however, generally organized for perching or living in trees, and have the legs and feet moderately developed and formed for grasping. In this group is found the highest development of the bird-like form of animal life.

I. TRIBE FISSIROSTRES. THE GOATSUCKERS, SWALLOWS, KINGFISHERS, &c.

Bill wide at base; gape very large; feet small, weak; general form adapted to the capture of insects on the wing, and in some of the families to rapid and long-continued flight. This group contains the Goatsuckers (Caprimulgidæ), the Swallows (Hirundinidæ), the Trogons (Trogonidæ), the Bee-eaters (Meropidæ), and the Kingfishers (Halcyonidæ).