86 THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



ORDER X.— GAIiLIX^ (GALLINACEOUS BIRDS). 



Toes four, the hind one small and elevated above the 

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

 wings short, the outer primaries curved and much stiff- 

 ened. 



Family 31. — Tetraonidce. Grouse, Partridges, etc. ; 20 



species. 

 Fasuly 32. — Phasianidce. Pheasants, Turkeys, etc. ; 1 



species. 

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

 species. 



ORDER XI.— COLUMB^ (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 34. — Columbidoe. Pigeons; 13 species. 



ORDER XII.— RAPTORES (VULTURES, H.ATI^KS, 

 AND OWLS). 



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

 talons; tlie 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. — Cathartidcn, American Vultures; 3 spe- 

 cies. 

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



Eagles, etc. ; 39 species. 

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

 Family S8.—Bubonidce. Horned Owls, Hoot Owls, 

 etc. ; 17 species. 



