Think of what a snake is like. A cobra? A boa constrictor?

What characteristics does a snake possess?

1. undulating, wave-like action
2. patient
3. sly
4. quiet
5. slips around defences
6. determined
7. extremely fast
8. sudden, penetrating blow
9. open up defences, then strike
10. bite, body strength, poison 

Think of what a monkey is like. An orang-utan? Or a small, cheeky monkey?

What characteristics does a monkey possess?

1. indirect
2. misdirection, distraction, sneaky
3. appears to be weak in order to draw you in
4. fast
5. mischievous
6. provoking
7. vicious
8. elbows
9. hunched over and tight
10. yielding and withdrawing
11. sharp, stunning attacks, performed unexpectedly
12. claws and teeth

Think of what a bird is like. A bird of prey or a stork? A crow? A seagull?

What characteristics does a bird possess?

1. wings open and close
2. soars up and swoops down
3. grace, lightness and balance
4. splitting action
5. yielding and withdrawing
6. wings spread open, exaggerating size
7. nervous
8. decisive and surprising
9. striking as it splits
10. beak and claws

Think of what a polar bear is like. Or a grizzly. Not a teddy bear, though. A teddy bear somewhat misses the point.

What characteristics does a bear possess?

1. huge, strong and powerful
2. fearless
3. direct
4. determined
5. large, open stance
6. movements are sweeping
7. outward turning
8. no allowance for its prey
9. immense, whole-body strikes involving hips and spine
10. claws and teeth

We picked 5 animals to consider because the form movements can be considered in reference to these animals:

1. Bear
2. Bird
3. Monkey
4. Snake
5. Tiger

We are not interested in what type of bird, or which bear you imagine. Who cares?
Such talk misses the point.

The character of the form movements can be better understood by looking at these 5 animal