376 ZOOLOGY. 



the turkey in size, and has fine black plumage. It is yet frequently met 

 with in the forests of the north of Europe. 



The moor cock, T. tetrix {pi. 9G,fg. 2), is another fine European species, 

 formerly very abundant, and yet frequent in the Highlands of Scotland. 

 It is entirely black with a forked tail, and is represented as living principally 

 on twigs and buds of the heath and on blades of grass. 



Several species of these birds inhabit the United States, of which the 

 largest is the cock of the plains (T. urophasianus). The others are, the 

 sharp-tailed grouse (T. phasiejiellus), the Canada grouse {T. canadensis), 

 the dusky grouse (T. obscurus), and the prairie hen {T.cupidd). The latter 

 was formerly abundant throughout the United States, but is now almost 

 extinct in the Atlantic states. The most common species is, however, the 

 ruffed grouse or pheasant, T. umbellus, which is frequent throughout the 

 country. 



The most curious birds of this group are the ptarmigans, which live in the 

 extreme north of both continents. They are usually seen on the barren 

 grounds, or among thickets of willows and birches, on the banks of marshes 

 or lakes. The plumage varies with the season ; in the winter they are 

 pure white, but as the spring advances they assume a dark chestnut color, 

 which gradually extends over the whole body. The white ptarmigan 

 [Lagopus albus) is a frequent species in the north of Europe, and the rock 

 ptarmigan (L. muliis) in northern America. In the winter season, when 

 alarmed, they are said to plunge into the snow, under which they proceed 

 to considerable distances. 



Sub-fam. 5. Pteroclince, or Sand Grouse. Bill short, curved, compressed ; 

 wings and tail long and pointed ; tarsi and feet robust and feathered ; size 

 small ; colors plain. 



These singular birds inhabit the sandy deserts of Africa and Asia, and 

 nearly all the species have their plumage of dull brown, much resembling 

 the color of dry sand. Their food consists of hard seeds, grass, and insects. 

 The banded sand grouse {Pterocles bicinctus) is frequently brought from 

 Africa ; the desert grouse, P. alchata {pi. 95. fg. 14), is another species. 



Sub-fam. 6. Tinamince, or Tinamous. Bill rather long and slender ; 

 wings short, rounded ; tail very short, rounded ; tarsi and feet moderate 

 and strong. Size various ; colors plain. 



About twenty-five species of these birds are known, all of which are 

 found in South America. Their general appearance is much that of a 

 partridge with a long bill, and their habits and manners are said to be very 

 similar. The larger tinamou {Tinamus major) and others are common. 



Order VI. Struthiones. 



This order embraces the ostrich, the cassowary, the bustards, and a few 

 other birds, mostly of large size. 



Fam. 1. Struthionid^e, or Ostriches. The only family of the order, 

 the species of which are easily distinguished by their large size and exclu- 



580 



