344 AVES. 



nostrils pierced in a broad membranous space at the base of the 

 beak and covered by a cartilaginous scale ; a heavy carriage^ 

 short wings, and the bony sternum diminished by two emargina- 

 tions, so wide and deep that they occupy nearly the whole 

 sides, its crest being truncated obliquely forwards, so that the 

 sharp point of the fourchette is only joined to it by a liga- 

 ment, circumstances which, by greatly impairing the strength 

 of the pectoral muscles^ render it difficult for them to fly. 

 Their tail generally consists of fourteen quills, and sometimes 

 of eighteen. The lower larynx is very simple, and conse- 

 quently there is none of them that sings agreeably. They 

 have an extremely large crop, and a very vigorous gizzard. 

 With the exception of the Hocco, they all lay their eggs on 

 the ground, on a few carelessly arranged blades of straw or 

 grass. Each male usually has several females, and takes no sort 

 of trouble either with the nest or the young ones, which com- 

 monly are very numerous, and most usually able to run as 

 soon as they have left the shell. 



This order is chiefly composed of one very natural family, 

 remarkable for having furnished us with most of our domestic 

 poultry, and abundance of excellent game ; one in which the 

 anterior toes are united at base by a short membrane, and in- 

 dented along the edges, and which it is impossible to divide 

 into genera, except by having recourse to characters of but 

 little importance, drawn from some of the appendages of the 

 head. In order, however, to avoid an excessive multiplica- 

 tion of beings, we will associate certain genera with them 

 whose feet are deficient in that membrane, some of which, the 

 Pigeons^ connect the GallinacesB with the Passerinai, while 

 the others, the Hoazins, Bujff., somewhat approximate to the 

 Touracos. 



Alectok, Merr.(l) 



The Hoccos are large Gallinaceas of America, which resemble 

 Turkeys, with abroad, rounded tail, formed of large and stiflf quills. 



( 1 ) Alector is the Greek name of the Cock. 



