370 ZOOLOGY. 



The GallinaB are for the greater part very sociable birds, and many- 

 species are readily domesticated. They are more practically useful to man 

 than all other birds together. 



Fam, 1. Cracid.e, or Curassovvs. a family of birds principally found in 

 Mexico and Central America, and known by the names of curassow birds, 

 penelopes, guans, Mexican turkeys, and others. 

 There are about thirty-five species. 



Suh-fam. 1. Penelopince, or Guans. Bill moderate, slender; nostrils 

 large ; wings short, rounded ; tail long ; legs and feet long and robust ; 

 sides of the head and throat more or less naked. Size large. 



These birds inhabit South America, mostly residing in the forests and 

 subsisting on fruits and insects, which they are represented as pursuing in 

 the morning and evening. They construct their nests in trees, and are 

 habitually wary and difficult to approach. The crested penelope {Penelope 

 cristata) appears to be common. 



Suh-fam. 2. Cracince, or Curassows. Bill generally long, curved, com- 

 pressed ; wings short, rounded ; tail long ; tarsi and feet very strong and 

 lengthened ; head crested. Size large. 



The curassow birds are found mostly in Mexico and Central America, 

 in the countries of which they are domesticated to some extent, and 

 hence are sometimes called Mexican turkeys. They are large birds, gene- 

 rally of plain black plumage, with erect handsome crests. The red 

 -curassow, Crax rubra {pi. 96, fg. 10), is one of the species frequently met 

 with. 



Fam. 2. MEGAPODioiE. A small family of about twelve or fifteen species 

 of birds inhabiting Australia and the Pacific islands. They are large birds, 

 having very thick and strong legs, and short curved bills, said to live 

 mostly on berries. 



Suh-fam 1. Tallegallince. Bill moderate, rather robust, curved towards 

 the tip ; wings moderate, rounded ; tail long ; tarsi very thick and length- 

 ened ; feet robust. Size large. 



Contains three birds only, which are natives of Australia and New 

 Guinea, where they have acquired the name of bush turkeys. They are 

 mostly observed in small flocks on the ground, and when apprised of danger 

 seek safety by running into the deepest thickets, or into the recesses of the 

 forest. The bush turkey of Australia {Tallegallus lathami) is the only com- 

 mon species in collections. 



Suh-fam. 2. MegapodincB, or Mound Birds. Bill moderate, rather weak ; 

 wings short, rounded ; tail rather short ; tarsi and feet very robust. Size 

 smaller. 



The birds of this sub-family are found only in the Asiatic islands and 

 Australia. Some of the species, particularly one which inhabits Australia 

 (Megapodius tumulus), build very curious mounds of a large size for the 

 purpose of depositing their eggs therein. These mounds have been observed 

 upwards of twenty feet in circumference and ten feet high, and are com- 

 posed of sand and vegetable matter. 



Fam. 3. Phasianid^, Pheasants, Peacocks, and Fowls. All the birds 

 574 



