394 REPTILES AND BIRDS, 
These birds are naturally stupid, and cannot habituate them- 
selves to captivity.. They live in small flocks, except during the 
breeding season. ‘They fly heavily, always in a straight line, and are 
swift runners. Some species manifest such sluggishness that they 
will remain the entire day without moving, and will not even take 
the trouble to escape from their enemies. They have the habit of 
rolling themselves in the dust, and frequent indifferently cultivated 
ground, grassy meadows, or thick woods. Except in rare instances, 
they sleep upon the ground. They are crepuscular—that is, they 
seek their food in the early mornings and evenings, and even by 
moonlight. Their selection of nutriment is frugivorous, granivo- 
rous, insectivorous, and vermivorous. They make their nests on 
the ground, and lay twice a year seven or eight eggs. ‘Their flesh 
is good, and much sought after. 
Tinamotts elegans may be taken as a representative of the order. 
CHIONIDA. 
The birds belonging to this family are characterised by a short, 
crooked, and stout bill, long and pointed wings, a middling-sized 
tail, and a merely rudimentary back toe. The size of the Chzonzdes 
varies between the Partridge and the Pigeon. The species of 
Chionis, Tinochore, and A/tagis are included in this family. 
The Sheath-bill (C/zonzs alba), a good type of this genus, is 
remarkable for its marine habits; they frequent the sea-beach, and 
feed on sea-weed and animal remains. They are to be found in 
Australia and New Zealand. The Zznochores and the Aftagzs are 
natives of Chili and Paraguay: their habits are not known. 
MEGAPODINE. 
The distinctive features of this family are as follows: the bill 
straight and slender; the tarsi long and stout; the feet tetra- 
dactylous, and furnished with long and strong claws. This family 
comprises three genera: the MWegapodius, Leipoa, and Talegallus. 
The JAlegapodit are but little known. Ail that has been ascer- 
tained is, that they inhabit marshy localities, fly but little, and run 
like Partridges. They lay each of their eggs in a separate hole, 
which is in a mound sometimes of truly gigantic size, and scraped 
together by the birds, there they are left to be hatched by the heat 
of the sun. The young birds are able to dispense with maternal 
assistance, and to provide for their own wants on leaving the shell. 
