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BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



The family name of these birds is derived from the great 

 development of their feet, which enable them to grasp and 

 throw up into heaps the various vegetable matters they re- 

 quire for their nest-heaps. The naked head and neck, as 

 well as the singular flap that depends from the neck, give 

 the brush or bush turkey a somewhat vulturine, rather than 

 a turkeyish, appearance; but the Leipoa, or mallee hen, is 

 dressed in a more becoming manner, for it has a small 

 crest, and tlie plumage is prettily diversified with grey and 

 wiiite. 



THE RAILS. 



A very natural group, for all the members of it bear a 

 con.siderable resemblance to each othei", as well in form 

 as in habits. Their headquarters are in New Zealand, 

 which islands wore at no distant date inhabited by allied 

 species of very great size, in comparison with which their 

 existing relatives are the merest pigmies. 



