GALLIN/E. 



223 



characters of dichotomous apj)lication, till we descend to inmute particulars, such as the sea- 

 sonal and progressive changes of plumage, the system of coloration, character of the eggs, k:\ 

 and these require to he carefully and extensively studied, in order to extricate the Cantoris 

 from their present heterogeneous state of artificial arrangement, which, like most other classi - 

 fications based on the variations of a single organ (the beak), has induced a variety of approxi- 

 mations at variance with natural affinity. To detail our own views on the arrangement of 

 this great order, would require more space than the nature of the present work would 

 allow; it must suffice, therefore, to refer to the few hints which have been given in the 

 details of the various genera. 



The four orders here indicated have a vague general character in common, which is not 

 easy to define or even express : it partially consists in the magnitude of the head, as compared 

 with the subsequent divisions generally ; and a hind toe being always present, on the same 

 plane with those in front, the great majority of them perch and traverse the boughs of trees 

 with comparative facility, while the remainder are too obviously allied to admit of separation]. 



THE FOURTH ORDER OF BIRDS,— 



THE POULTRY, (Gallix.*:. Lin.)— 



Are so named from their affinity to the Domestic Cock, in common with which they have 

 generally the upper mandible vaulted, the nostrils pierced in a large membranous space at the 

 base of the beak, and covered by a cartilaginous scale. Their heavy carriage, short wings, 

 and bony sternum (tig. 107), diminished by two emarginations so wide and deep that they 



occupy nearly its whole lateral portion, its crest being ob- 

 liquely truncated in front, so that the sharp edge of [an 

 appendage to] the fourchette is only joined to it by liga- 

 ment, are circumstances which, by greatly impairing the 

 force of the pectoral muscles, render their flight laborious. 

 The tail has generally fourteen, and sometimes eighteen, 

 quill-feathers. Their inferior larynx is very simple, so that 

 none of them can sing. They have an extremely muscular 

 gizzard, and [most generally] a large [globular] crop. If 

 Ave except the Curassows, they lay and incubate on the 

 ground, on a few carelessly arranged steins of straw or grass. 

 Each male has ordinarily several females, and takes no sort 

 of trouble either with the nest or young ones, which are 

 generally very numerous, an.!, in most eases, are able to 

 run as soon as they quit the shell. 



[We should observe, that exceptions occur to almost all 

 these generalizations in the course of the series, which will 

 In the polygamous species, the male is always larger and more 

 gaily coloured than the female ; while in such as are monogamous, (as Ptarmigan and Par- 

 tridges,) the sexes nearly or quite resemble, both in size and colour. This diversity is appa- 

 rent in some species that are otherwise closely allied together. The bead is very small, 

 compared with the members of the preceding orders generally j and the number of cervical 



vertebra' is irregular and always greater.] 



The Poultry constitute, for the most part, a verv natural family, remarkable for having fur- 

 nished us with the greater number of our farm-yard fowls, and with much excellent gai 

 Their anterior toes are connected at base by a short membrane, the edges of which are dent - 



Fig. 107.— Sternum 01 Red Partridge. 



be pointed out as they arise. 



