GALLIN.E. 349 



tlie margins. As they are all essentially terrestrial 

 in their habits^ their legs are always strong and well- 

 developed. The tarsi are stout^ and very commonly 

 armed with a spur^ or even with two or more such 

 weapons, which are especially developed in the 

 males. The toes are three in front and one behind, 

 the latter being usually small and slightly elevated 

 on the back of the tarsus, but sometimes more elon- 

 gated, and then placed upon the same level as the 

 other toes_, so as to be efficient in grasping. The 

 anterior toes are not very long, but stout, and often 

 united by webs at their base ; they are armed with 

 strong and rather blunt nails, which are of great use 

 in scratching up the ground in search of food, — 

 a habit common to most of the species, from which, 

 indeed, many ornithologists give them the name of 

 Rasores or Scrapers. The feathers of the legs are 

 continued down to the articulation of the tarsus_, and 

 sometimes extend beyond this point, even to the 

 extremities of the toes. The wings are generally 

 short and weak in comparison with the weight of 

 the body, so that they fly heavily, and only to short 

 distances. Their plumage is firm, and often adorned 

 with brilliant colours ; and parts of it, especially in 

 the males, are frequently developed to an extra- 

 ordinary extent, sometimes giving them a grotesque 

 appearance. The feathers are distinguished by the 

 great development of the accessory plumules spring- 

 ing from the base of the stem, at its junction with 

 the quill. 



The Gallinaceous birds are spread over all parts 

 of the world, but the finest species are inhabitants 

 of the warm regions. Their food consists of fruits, 

 seeds, herbage, insects, and worms. They are gene- 

 rally polygamous, each male collecting around him 

 a seraglio as numerous as he can keep together. In 

 keeping off the attentions of intrusive rivals, he is 

 engaged in almost incessant combats. The females 

 lay their eggs, which are generally numerous, upon 

 the ground in some sheltered situation. The young 



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