420 GALLINACEOUS BIEDS. 



extinction, for its wild nature prevents it accommodating itself to 

 a restricted range. It is found on the southern coasts of the Black 

 Sea, in Sicily, and the island of Cyprus. There are other species 

 inhabiting Africa and India. 



The CoTURNix is closely allied to the Quail ; the only physical 

 distinction between them is the absence of the back toe. It fre- 

 quents sandy districts and plains covered with high grass. It 

 runs very swiftly, and but rarely flies. Should it be compelled, 

 however, to do so, its course is seldom more than one or two 

 yards above the ground, and of very short duration. Dropping, 

 it then stubbornly persists in remaining on the ground, and 

 prefers being caught to making a fresh attempt on the wing. 

 Its flesh is excellent. 



A European species, the Tar nix tachydroma (rapid runner), 

 (Fig. 169), inhabits Sicily, the South of Spain, and the North of 

 Africa, 



The Sunda Isles produce a species of Quail, the warlike in- 

 stincts of which furnish an amusement for the barbarous tastes of 

 the inhabitants, who regularly pit them one against the other, 

 betting largely on the result, just as the English used to do on 

 cock-fights. 



TiNAMIDES. 



All the birds of this family belong to South America. They 

 are the representatives of the Partridge on that continent. Their 

 essential characteristics are — a slender and medium-sized beak ; 

 tarsi rather long, and provided with nodosities ; the back toe either 

 very short or altogether wanting — at all events, no use in walking 

 can be made of it from its elevated position ; the wings and tail 

 short, the latter sometimes deficient. 



This family comprises four genera, all very closely allied to one 

 another ; these are the Tinamus, the Nothures, the Rhyncotes, 

 and the Eudromes. We shall confine our remarks to their nature 

 and characteristics. 



These birds are naturally stupid, and cannot habituate them- 

 selves to captivity. They live in small flocks, excejot during 

 the breeding season. They fly heavily, always in a straight 

 line, but are swift runners. Some species manifest such slug- 



