722 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — GALLIN.E — ALECTOROPODES. 



develops remarkable fleshy processes. Tlie quintociibital wings are short, stout, and concavo- 

 convex, conferring power of rapid, whirring, but unprotracted tlight. The tail varies ex- 

 tremely ; it is very small in some genera, enormously developed in others ; the rectrices vary 

 in number, but are commonly more than 12. The sternum sliows a peculiar conformation ; 

 the posterior notches seen in most birds are inordinately enlarged, so that the bone, viewed 

 vertically, seems in most of its extent to be simply a narrow central projection or keel, the 

 lophosteon, with two long processes on each side, the inner one of which is simply directed 

 backward, but the other is flaring and hammer-shaped. There are other distinctive osteologi- 

 cal characters, as already noted. The digestive system presents an ample special crop, a highly 

 muscular gizzard, and large coeca. The inferior larynx is always devoid of intrinsic muscles ; 

 the structure of the trachea varies with the genera, presenting some curious modifications. 

 Tliere are after-shafts, and a circlet around the oil-gland. Alectoropodes are praecocial and 

 ptiioptedic. A part of them are polygamous — a circumstance shown in its perfection by the 

 sultan of the dung-hill with his disciplined harem; and in all such, the sexes are conspicuously 

 dissimilar. The rest are monogamous, and the sexes of these are as a rule nearly or quite 

 alike. The eggs are very numerous, usually laid on the ground, in a rude nest, or none. The 

 suborder is cosmopolitan; but most of its groups have a special geographical distribution. Its 

 great economic importance is perceived in all forms of domestic poultry, and principal game- 

 birds of various countries ; and it is unsurpassed in beauty — some of these birds offer the most 

 gorgeous coloring of the class. 



Genetically, Fowls are nearer than most birds to a generalized, old-fashioned type. They 

 have relations in the curiously ostrich-like Tinamous of South America {Tinamidcc or Cryp- 

 turi), the Hoatzin (Opisthoco)ims), and other antique relicts. Notice a (juarter-grown Turkey 

 with tliis idea in mind, and you will hardly fail to see that it looks like an Ostrich in 

 miniature. 



Leading types of existing Alectoropod GallincE are : (1) tlie Quail or Partridge; (2) the 

 Grouse ; (3) the Domestic Cock ; (4) the Turkey ; (5) the Guinea Fowl ; respectively tlie 

 bases of the families (1) Perdicidce, (2) Tetraonidce^ (3) Phasianidcs, (4) Mcleagrididcie, (5) 

 NunndidfC. Quail or Partridges, and Grouse, are indigenous to both hemispheres; the 

 Pheasant family is confined to the Old World, but some species have been introduced and 

 naturalized in the United States ; Turkeys are peculiar to America. Guinea Fowl or Pintados 

 are an African and Madagascarian family, of which one species, Numida meleagris, is com- 

 monly seen in domestication. There are 6 species of this genus, in some of which the trachea 

 is convoluted in an appendage of the furculum ; the frontal bone develops a process to support 

 a fleshy process on the head, which is naked, wrinkled, and bristly ; the very short tail has 36 

 feathers, and is carried downward ; there are wattles, but no spurs. Gnttera is the genus of 

 crested Pintados, spurless, with 16 rectrices ; there are 4 species, as G. cristata. Phasidus 

 niger is the Black Guinea Fowl, with 14 rectrices, the ^ with blunt spurs. Agelastes melea- 

 grides has also spurs and 14 rectrices. In the remarkable Acryllium vulturinus the tarsi of 

 the ^ bear several knobs, the long cuneate tail has 16 rectrices, and the feathers of the neck 

 resemble the hackles of the Domestic Cock. The Pintado family is chai'acterized by a pecul- 

 iarity of the principal metacarpal bone, which has no backward process, and by the outward 

 Inclination of the costal processes ; it is thought by some to furnish a link between Peristero- 

 podes and Alectoropodes. The oiher four families are fully treated beyond. 



Family PHASIANID^: Pheasants, etc. 



The most magnificent fiimily of typical Gallintc, of wliich the Domestic Cock is a charac- 

 teristic example. The tarsi and toes, the nasal fossae, and usually some of the head, if not the 

 whole, are naked, and often furnished with fleshy outgrowths, as combs, wattles, horns, ear- 



