188 



SIXGIN'fi 131Ki)S— OSCIXKS. 



Genus COTURNICULUS, Bonaparte. 



Cotumkuhis, BoxAP.MtTE, Geog. List, 1838. (Type, J-'riiiiji/ld passerimi, Wilson.) 



Gen. C'ir.vu. Bill very stout and short. TiTtials almost equal lo the jirimaries. 

 Claws small, weak ; hinder one shorter than its digit. Outstretched ii;et not reaching 



the till '^^ ''"^ t'"^''- Tail feathers not stiffened, graduated, short. Ujtper parts generally 

 streaked, blotches on interscapular region ver}- wide. Breast and siiles generally streaked 



C. pofseriniis. 



more or less distinctly. Edge of the wing yellow. Wings short, reaching little beyond 

 base of tail. Primaries and secondaries nearly equal. 



Two species are confined to the eastern side of tlie continent, and a 

 tliird is found throughout tlie United States. There are others in South 

 America. 



