276 GALLIN.E. 



tarsus, and sometimes extend beyond this point, even to the ex- 

 tremities of the toes. The wings are generally short and weak in 

 comparison with the weight of the body, so that they fly heavily, 

 and only to short distances. Their plumage is firm, and often 

 adorned with brilliant colours ; and parts of it, especially in the 

 males, are frequently developed to an extraordinary extent, some- 

 times giving them a grotesque appearance. The feathers are dis- 

 tinguished by the great development of the accessory plumules 

 springing from the base of the stem at its junction with the quill. 



The Gallinaceous birds are spread over all parts of the world, 

 but the finest species are inhabitants of the warm regions. Their 

 food consists of fruits, seeds, herbage, insects, and worms. They 

 are generally polygamous, each male collecting around him a 

 seraglio as numerous as he can keep together. While repelling the 

 attentions of intrusive rivals, he is engaged in almost incessant 

 combats. The females lay their eggs, which are generally nume- 

 rous, upon the ground in some sheltered situation. The young 

 are usually able to run as soon as they leave the ^^^ ; but at 

 night, or on the approach of danger, they shelter themselves under 

 the wing of their mother. 



The Gallinns may be generally described as being that Order 

 ijTore especially set apart by their Great Creator for the service 

 of man. Hence they are more easily domesticated than any other 

 birds ; their flesh is the most palatable and their fecundity the 

 greatest. They live almost entirely on the ground, which conse- 

 quently affords them their chief nourishment in the seeds and 

 grains of different plants. Their flesh and their eggs are univer- 

 sally wholesome and very nutritious, while their feathers are em- 

 ployed for a variety of uses. They are peculiarly attentive to their 

 offspring ; and that the increase of the different races should keep 

 pace with the wants of man, they are much more prolific than 

 ordinary birds. They are social, live in societies, and are poly- 

 gamous. They prefer escaping from danger by running, and do 

 not take to flight except when compelled by necessity. They 

 are fond of rolling in the dust ; some nestle on the ground and 

 live only on plains, whilst others reside in forests and make their 

 nests exclusively in trees. 



The more scientific distinctions of the Gallinaceous Order ma}' 

 be thus briefly stated. Their external peculiarities are very strik- 

 ing: the feet are particularly robust, and the hind toe being usually 

 placed on a greater elevation than the fore toes, the foot is de- 

 prived of any power of grasping ; the hind toe, indeed, is frequently 



