ZOOLOGY. 97 



This most splendid genus inhabits the interior of India, 

 Jctpan, and the Islands in the Indian Ocean ; they are gene- 

 rally domesticated ; but in their wild state are shy, and 

 rarely to be obtained but by the gun. 



2. Meleagris. Turkey. Bill conical, strong, incurvated ; 



head covered with bare carunculated or tuberciilated 

 skin ; chin in the male furnished with a longitudinal 

 membranous carnucle ; tail broad, expansive • legs 

 spurred. 



This genus, of which but two or three species are known, 

 inhabits America, and India ; the common Turkey, (M. Gal- 

 lipavo^) is generally domesticated ; in its native state it is 

 gregarious, and principally resorts to low woods ; is a shy 

 bird, very swift on foot, and but rarely taking wing ; the 

 other kinds are but little known. \ 



3. Numidia. Pintado or Guinea-Fowx. Bill short, 



strong, the base covered with a carunculated cere, in 

 which are situated the nostrils; a compressed varigated 

 Callous or Horn extends from the base of the bill to the 

 top of the forehead ; ^^7 short, depressed. 



All the Pintados are natives of Africa, but like the pre» 

 ceding genera, some of the species are domesticated, the 

 common Pintado (N. Meleagris,) is commonly so through 

 most parts of Europe. When wild they are gregarious, and 

 inhabit woody places, roosting mostly on the tops of the 

 highest trees, they are exceedingly shy, and are scarcely to 

 be procured but by the gun. 



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