96 ZOOLOGY. 



ORDER V. 



GALLINM. 



Gallinaceous Birds contribute more than any others^ to 

 the comforts of Mankind ; the family is not numerous, but 

 it is very generally dispersed, some or other of the species, 

 being natives of almost every known country. Their flesh is 

 delicate and nutritious, their increase great, particularly of 

 those kinds that have been domesticated ; some species 

 nestle on the ground, their nests are carelessly formed, fre- 

 quently being nothing more than a slight excavation in the 

 ground, only sufficiently deep to prevent the eggs from 

 rolling out ; others roost and build in trees, but the nests of 

 all are of a very loose texture : their young run about and 

 search for food as soon as excluded from the shell, and fre- 

 quently with parts of it adhering to them. Some of the 

 species are monogamous, others polygamous ; and they are 

 all short lived compared with most other tribes. 



The Gallinae are distinguishable from the other orders, by 

 their robust form, short wings ; and their legs being gene- 

 rally armed with spurs ; they feed on grain, seeds, vegeta- 

 bles, insects and worms ; the order contains ten genera. 



J. Pavo. Peacock. Bill convex, strong ; head covered 

 'With revolute feathers; nostrils large; tail feathers 

 very long, capable of being erected, depressed, or ex- 

 panded at pleasure ; the tip of each tail feather dilated 

 and ornamented with an eye-like spot. 



