198 GALLIFORMES CHAP. 
goudoti, of the same countries and Peru, is bronzy-brown with 
greyish head and rufous under parts; the Costa Rican and Vera- 
guan C. unicolor being nearly uniform greenish-black. In both 
these genera the orbits are more or less naked. 
Sub-fam. 3. Oreophasinae.—Oreophasis derbianus, the splendid 
“ Faisan” of the Volcan de Fuego in Guatemala, is greenish-black 
with dense velvety plumage extending from the forehead to the 
nostrils ; the white lower parts become brownish at the sides and 
vent, and shew dark streaks; a white band crosses the tail; and a 
red cellular casque covered with hair-hke feathers surmounts the 
head. The bill is pale yellow, the feet are vermilion. 
Fam. VI. Phasianidae.—Of really distinct Sub-families this 
eroup may be said to possess three, (1) the Numidinae, or Guinea- 
fowls, (2) the Meleagrinae, or Turkeys, and (3) the Phasianinae, or 
Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse; it 1s, however, customary to 
class the Grouse apart as Zetraoninae, though a difficulty at 
once arises in drawing the line of demarcation. For example, 
Huxley! considered Caceabis, Francolinus and Coturnix Galline, 
i.e. Phasianine; Dr. Gadow”? makes them Tetraonine; while Mr, 
Ogilvie Grant ® agrees with the former, but does not make these 
genera the link between the sections. My. Grant’s view may be 
conveniently followed, but the division is in any case arbitrary. 
As a matter of further convenience a Partridge group (Perdi- 
cinae) may be formed, and the “American Partridges”” may stand 
apart as Odontophorinae. 
Passing mention should be made of the economical importance 
of this Family as a factor in our food-supply, whether in the wild 
state as game, or in the domesticated as poultry; for almost, 
inconceivable numbers of birds are bred, exported, or used for eating 
in their native countries, while the value of domestic fowls’ eggs 
can best be estimated by imagining the consequence of a failure in 
the production. Man’s custom herein is no doubt guided by the 
ease with which most of the species are secured or reared, and by the 
great development of the pectoral muscles or “flesh of the breast.” 
The body is decidedly heavy, the head usually rather small, 
and the neck fairly long. The bill is comparatively short and stout 
—especially in Ithagenes, Dendrortyxz, and elsewhere—but may 
be more elongated, as in Lophophorus and Euplocamus; the maxilla 
1 P.Z.S. 1868, p. 301. 2 Bronn’s Thier-Reich, Aves, Syst. Theil. 1893, p. 172. 
3 Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxii. 1893. 
