130 PERDICIN^. 



ligament. The scapula is linear, and gently deflected towards 

 the end. The humerus is short and of moderate strength ; 

 the cubitus of the same length ; as is the hand, composed 

 of two carpal bones, a thin slender pollex, two distinct me- 

 tacarpal bones, two digital united by a thin plate, and a 

 slender tapering extreme phalangeal bone. The femur is of 

 moderate length and thickness ; the tibia rather long, and 

 slender ; the fibula extending for two-thirds of the length of 

 the leg downw^ards, very slender and tapering ; the tarsus short, 

 depressed, with a thin incomplete ridge behind. The hind toe 

 is composed of a distinct metatarsal bone and two phalanges ; 

 the second of three ; the third of four ; the fourth of five ; the 

 extreme phalanges short, slightly arched, and somew^hat com- 

 pressed. 



The digestive organs are of the same nature as those of the 

 Phasianinse. The Grouse have the coeca much larger, indi- 

 cating that they live upon substances requiring more elabora- 

 tion, while in the Partridges they are comparatively short, 

 these birds being more granivorous. The foeces pass in a more 

 or less solid form, resembling in their appearance those of 

 some Ruminating Quadrupeds. 



The Partridges are generally distributed, but more abundant 

 in the temperate and warmer regions ; while the Grouse are 

 more numerous in the temperate and frigid countries of the 

 northern hemisjihere. These birds reside chiefly on the ground, 

 but some of them seek their food at times on trees, and several 

 occasionally perch. Of the species which occur in Britain, the 

 Black Grouse prefers low, dam^), grassy or ferny places in 

 the neighbourhood of woods or thickets ; the Brown Ptarmi- 

 gan resides on the open heaths ; the Grey Ptarmigan is found 

 on the summits of the higher mountains ; the Partridges and 

 Quail choose the cultivated parts, finding food and shelter in 

 the enclosed fields and neighbouring grounds. 



All these birds run with great speed, although they generally 

 prefer skulking to avoid danger, and have a strong steady uni- 

 form flight, performed by regular beats of the wings, which 

 produce a whirring sound. Their cries are various, but alw^ays 

 harsh and strong. They nestle on the ground, and rear a 



