2 GAME-BIRDS 



To record all the distinctive characteristics of the various major 

 groups (commonly designated " orders," but preferably ranked merely 

 as " suborders "), into which British birds are divided, is not within the 

 scope of the present work. It will, however, be convenient to notice 

 a few of the more obvious of these, as occasion arises. 



Apart from certain features of the skull and skeleton, the more 

 typical game-birds, such as those to be met with in the British Islands, 

 are characterised by their stout and compact build, rather long neck, 

 strong and arched beak of moderate length, and powerful legs, which 

 are furnished with four toes and specially adapted for scratching the 

 ground — whence the name Rasores, as an alternative title for the 

 group. The concave wings, which fit closely to the body, are adapted 

 for a strong, although often noisy and laboured flight ; and the body- 

 feathers have after-shafts. Very characteristic of the group is the 

 advanced condition in which the young are born ; and it is specially 

 noticeable that in the longitudinal striping of the first downy dress 

 many of these birds resemble ostriches and tinamus. The great 

 difference between the plumage of the two sexes is likewise a 

 characteristic of many game-birds. The eggs, of which there is 

 frequently a large number in a clutch, are laid on the ground in the 

 case of all the more typical representatives of the group, with but 

 little protection in the way of a nest, and are either uniformly coloured 

 or marked merely with superficial spots, and none of the more deep- 

 seated markings found in those of many other birds. The essentially 

 primitive and generalised nature of the typical game-birds is thus 

 further exemplified by their nesting-habits, since it seems probable 

 that the practice of nesting in trees is one which has been acquired, 

 and that laying on the ground was the original condition. 



The capercaillie is the typical representative of the genus Tetrao, 

 and thus of the family Tetraonid.ne, or grouse-tribe, in which the hind- 

 toe is elevated above the other three, while the nostrils are concealed 

 by feathers, and the legs, and in most cases also the toes, are more 

 or less completely feathered. 



Distinguished from all other British game-birds by its great size — 

 cocks measuring about 35 and hens 25 inches in length — the caper- 

 caillie is further characterised by the rounded tail of both se.xes. In 

 the adult male the beak is whitish horn-colour ; there is a bare patch of 

 vermilion skin above the eye ; the head and neck are black, powdered 

 with gic\-, the back and upper tail-coverts dark slate-colour, almost 

 black, and speckled with grey ; while the upper surface of the wings 

 is rusty black, with grey stipi)ling. The tail-coverts are tipped with 



