86 THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



ORDER X.— GALtilX.E (GAT.IjTXACEOUS BIRDS). 



Toes four, the hind one small and elevated above the 

 front ones; bill generally short, stout, hard, and horny; 

 Avings short, the outer primaries curved and much stiff- 

 ened. 



Family 31. — Tetraonida\ Grouse. Partridges, etc.; 20 



species. 

 Family 32. — Pliasianidw. Pheasants, Turkeys, etc. ; 1 



species. 

 Family 33. — Cracidce. Curassows, Guans, etc. ; 1 

 species. 



ORDER XI.— COLt MB.^ (PIGEONS). 



All four toes on the same level; the hind toe about as 

 long as the shortest front one ; bill rather slender, deeply 

 grooved ; the nostrils opening in a soft fleshy membrane 

 or skin. 



Family o-^.—Columhidce. Pigeons; 13 species. 



ORDER XII.— RAPTORES (VULTURES, HAWKS, 

 AND OAVLS). 



All four toes armed with strong, sharp, curved nails or 

 talons ; the hind toe, except in the Vultures, as long as 

 or longer than the shortest front one ; bill with a cere, or 

 covering of skin, at its base, through which the nostrils 

 open, very strong and stout, the tip of the upper mandible 

 with a sharply pointed hook. 



Family 35. — Cathartidce. American Vultures; 3 spe- 

 cies. 

 Family 36. — Falconidcp. Vultures, Falcons, Hawks, 



Eagles, etc. ; 39 species. 

 Family 37.— Strigidce. Barn Owls; 1 species. 

 Family 3^.—Buhonidce. Horned Owls, Hoot Owls, 

 etc. ; 17 species. 



