372 AYES. 



Enl. 892. Each of them has a black streak and a white one be- 

 hind the eye. Their name is derived from Jthe swiftness with 

 which they run. Nothing is known with respect to their 

 habits.(l) 

 As far as we can judge from their exterior, it is here that we can 

 most conveniently place the 



Cariama, Briss. Microdactylus, Geoff. Dicholophus, 



Illig.(2) 



Whose beak is longer and more hooked, the commissure extend- 

 ing under the eye, which gives them somewhat of the physiognomy 

 and disposition of birds of prey, and approximates them somev/hat 

 to the Herons. Their extremely long and scutellated legs are ter- 

 minated by very short toes, slightly palmated at base, and by a 

 thumb which cannot reach the ground. 



One species only is known, and that is from South America, 

 the Micro, cristafiis, Geoff.; Palamedea cristata, Gm.; SariUy 

 Azzar.; Ann. duMus. d'Hist. Nat., XIII, pi. xxvi,- Col. 237, and 

 Vieill, Gal. 259. It is larger than the Heron, and feeds on lizards 

 and insects, which it hunts for on high grounds and along the 

 edges of forests. Its plumage is a fawn-coloured grey, waved 

 with brownj some slender feathers on the base of the beak form 

 a light tuft which inclines forwards. It flies but seldom, and then 

 badlyj its loud voice resembles that of a young Turkey. As its 

 flesh is much esteemed, it has been domesticated in several 

 places. 



FAMILY III. 



CULTRIROSTRES. 



This family is recognized by the thick, long, and strong 

 beak, which is most generally trenchant and pointed, and is 

 almost wholly composed of the birds comprised in the genus 

 Ardea of Linnaeus. In a great number of species, the trachea 



(1) AMihe Coure-vite a ailesviokites {Curs. Chalcopterus, T.], Col. 298; the C. 

 d double collier {C. Ucinctus, T. ), Man. Orn. ^Curs. Teminckiu Swains. Zool.Ill. 106. 



(2) Mlcrodadylus, short-finger. Dicholophus, crest in two rows. Hxmatopus, 

 blood-coloured feet. M. Vieillot has prefen-ed the barbarous name of Cariama, 

 which must be pronounced gariama. 



