l62 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



Economic Qualities. — ^They are useful in destroying 

 small vermin, and do no harm at all. Some species 

 are good eating. 



Captivity. — They live well in confinement, but are 

 not often kept, and have not bred in this state. 



Distribution and Important Species. — Warm and 

 temperate regions all round the world, except in 

 North America and New Zealand. There are about 

 a dozen species. They are usually resident, and 

 generally haunt dry places. Our migratory species, 

 the Stone-curlew or Norfolk Plover {(Edicnemiis 

 ccdicnemus), ranges widely across the Old World ; 

 in India it is known as Bastard Florican. In the 

 latter country a large species, the Great Stone- 

 Plover {Esacus magnirostris), is common, haunting 

 river banks. It is plain drab, with very large bill 

 and eyes. In Australia the most familiar represen- 

 tative is the long-legged Burhinus grallarius, and 

 in South Africa the Dikkop {(Edicnemus capensis). 

 The species illustrated (CE. bistriatus) is one of 

 the largest. 



Tinamous {Tinamid^). 



Diagnosis. — Partridge-like birds with nostrils in middle 

 of bill and no webs at base of toes. 



Size. — From that of a hen-pheasant to that of a thrush. 



Form. — Bill short to rather long, with central 

 nostrils, and sheath divided into pieces by 

 grooves ; corner of mouth below eye, tongue 

 very short ; eye with eyelashes ; feet with 

 shanks of medium length and three short toes 

 not united at the base by webs, and usually a 

 small useless hind-toe ; wings short and rounded ; 

 tail not noticeable, of small soft feathers. Head 



