ORDER TENTH. 



GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. (Gallinje, Lin. he.) 



With the bill short, and convex ; the upper mandible 

 vaulted, curved from its base, or only at the point. Nos- 

 trils, lateral, half covered by an arched, rigid mem- 

 brane. Feet stout, tarsus long ; toes usually 3 before, 

 and generally 1 behind articulated with the tarsus higher 

 than the rest, and scarcely touching the ground at tip ; 

 hind toe short or vranting ; nails without any retractile 

 motion. JVi?igs generally short, rounded, concave, with 

 the quills rigid and curved. Tail of from 10 to 18 feath- 

 ers, very rarely wanting. 



The female smaller, less brilliant, and differing from 

 the male in plumage. The young at first covered with 

 down only. The moult annual. 



These birds are generally of considerable magnitude, 

 with the body very fleshy and heavy, and the head small. 

 They also keep much on the ground, scratching up the 

 earth often in quest of their food ; and are fond of bask- 

 ing and wallowing in the dust. They subsist essentially 

 on grain and seeds, and not unfrequently add buds, ber- 

 ries, and larger insects to their fare, and like mammalious 

 animals are provided with a muscular bag or crop in 

 which the food undergoes a preparatory digestion, and 

 for this purpose they also swallow gravel, &c. They 

 are chiefly polygamous ; the females alone rearing and 

 educating the young. The nest is made on the ground, 

 and without art, and they are very prolific, the eggs be- 

 ing numerous, and the breeding long continued ; the 

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