GAME-BIRDS. 21 
Partridges (Bambusicola), the Stone-Pheasants (Ptilopachys), and the 
Indian Spur-Fowl (Galloperdiv). The shape of the wing is perhaps 
the most important distinguishing mark, and when taken in connection 
with the length of the tail is a useful, if somewhat artificial, character. 
In all the Phasianine, with the exception of the two genera Phasianus 
and Calophasis, the first flight-feather is much shorter than the tenth, 
and it is only by using the combined characters of the shape of the 
wing and length of the tail that the two groups can be separated. 
Subfamily I]. Phasianine. Pheasant-like Game-Birds. 
The Pheasants and their allies the Turkeys and Guinea-Fowl may be 
recognised by the following characters. ‘The cutting-edge of the lower 
mandible is not serrated or provided with a tooth-like process. The 
first flight-feather is usually shorter, generally much shorter than the 
tenth, rarely equal to it, except in the true Pheasants (Prasianus) and 
the Barred-backed Pheasants (Calophasis), but as these possess very 
long tails, they are at once seen to belong to the Phasianine. 
The most perfect type of Pheasant-wing is found in the Argus 
Pheasants (Argusianus), where the first flight-feather is the shortest and 
the tenth the longest. As might be expected from the shape of the 
wing these birds rarely fly, and always prefer to escape by running very 
swiftly through the densest jungle. 
The Turkeys (Meleagris) from North and Central America are 
among the largest and handsomest members of the group. The chief 
characteristics of adult birds are the fleshy wattles, which ornament 
the naked head and neck, and the erectile fleshy process on the fore- 
head. Of the four North American forms a representative will be 
found in the American Turkey (M. americana) (18). Thisisa woodland- 
bird, generally found in flocks, which seek their food on the ground by 
day and roost in the highest trees. Though still found in considerable 
numbers in the Southern and Central United States this species was 
formerly abundant over a much wider range, but constant persecution 
has exterminated it in the Northern and Western States, and changed 
a once by no means shy bird into the most cunning and wary of all the 
Game-Birds. The Mexican Turkey (M. gallopavo), a mountain species 
inhabiting the high tablelands of North Mexico and the neighbouring 
States up to an elevation of 10,000 feet, is interesting as being the 
species from which the domestic breed of Turkey was originally 
derived. It differs from the American Turkey in having the upper 
tail-coverts and tail-feathers broadly tipped with white. The most 
beautiful is undoubtedly the Honduras Turkey (M. ocellata) (14), 
from Central America, the colouring of the naked head, brilliant 
metallic plumage, and ocellated tail combing to make up a 
[Cases 
9 & 10.] 
