512 PARPJN^E. 



a powerful gizzard, like that of a gallinaceous bird, with very 

 large distinct muscles, and thick rugous cuticular lining; 

 intestine long, of moderate width ; coeca rather large, being 

 about an eighth of the length of the intestine ; rectum wider, 

 with an elliptical cloaca. 



Nostrils direct, pervious, varying from linear to circular, 

 in the fore and lower part of the nasal groove. Eyes rather 

 small ; eyelids feathered. External aperture of the ear 

 roundish and rather small. Feet long and stout ; tibia bare 

 for a considerable space below; tarsus large, compressed, 

 covered anteriorly with curved scutella, posteriorly with two 

 rows of large scales ; toes very long, slender, free, the first 

 directed backwards and very small, the outer longer than the 

 inner, the third longest; claws generally long, straight or 

 little arched, compressed, acute. 



Plumage soft and usually blended, on the head very 

 short, on the sides long; the feathers oblong, narrow, 

 rounded. Wings rather short, moderately convex, broad, and 

 rounded, of about twenty-four quills, the proximal seconda- 

 ries long and pointed. Tail very short, much rounded, of 

 twelve narrow, rounded, decurved, weak feathers. 



The skeleton of the Parrinae more resembles that of the 

 Partridges than of any other tribe, although the differences 

 are great, especially in the form of the feet. The skull is 

 rather small, oblong, and narrow ; the orbits of moderate 

 size, incomplete below, their upper margins not elevated as in 

 the Charadriinse ; the intermaxillary bones linear, as are the 

 maxillary, an oblong interval being left between them. The 

 lower jaw is slightly arched, entire, and very thin. The cervical 

 vertebras are generally thirteen, the dorsal nine, the lumbar 

 and sacral twelve, the caudal nine. The ribs are nine, very 

 slender and compressed, the first incomplete. The sternum 

 (Figs. 41, 42, 43) is of a very singular form, being of mode- 

 rate length, anteriorly of ordinary breadth, but narrowing 

 backwards so as to end in a point, and from above the middle 

 sending out two very long lateral processes; its ridge of 

 moderate height, anteriorly concave. The coracoid bones 

 are moderately stout and spreading ; the furcula extremely 

 slender and rather narrow; the scapula very slender and 



