262 ORDERS OF BIRDS. 



been detected, one of the most remarkable being a gigantic 

 Eail {Gypsornis) from the Paris basin. Deposits of the same 

 age in North America have yielded the wading Aletornis. 

 In the Miocene strata of Europe are found Waders allied to 

 the living Godwits and Storks, constituting respectively the 

 genera Elornis and Ihidipodia. Lastly, in the Post-Tertiary 

 deposits are found some interesting types of Grallatoixs, 

 which require notice, as they have the peculiarity that the 

 wings were rudimentary and useless for Hight. One of the 

 most remarkable of these is the Aphanaptcryx of the Post- 

 Tertiary of the island of IMauritius, a large Ealline bird, 

 which was incapable of flying. It was allied to the living 

 Ocydromus, and survived into the human period, having 

 been apparently exterminated at a comparatively late date. 

 Equally peculiar are the Apttornis and Notornis of New 

 Zealand, both large birds, of Ealline affinities, but unable to 

 fly. The former of these appears to be really extinct ; but 

 the latter, long believed to be so, has now been found living, 

 and has been shown to be a gigantic and wingless Coot. 



Okder III. Easoees. — The third order of Carinate Birds 

 is that of the Pmsotcs, or Scratchers, often spoken of collec- 

 tively as the " Gallinaceous " birds, from the old name of 

 " Gallinae," given to the order by Linmeus. The Rasores are 

 characterised by the convex, vaidted upper mandible, having 

 the nostrils pierced in a menibranous space at its base. The 

 nostrils are covered hy a cartilaginons scale. Taking the Gal- 

 linacei as the type of the order, the legs are strong and robust, 

 mostly covered with feathers as far as the Joint hetiveen the tibia 

 and tarso-metatarsus. There are four toes, three in front and 

 one behind, the latter being short, and placed at a higher level 

 than the other toes. All the toes terminate in strong blunt 

 claws suitable for scrcdching {Gallinacei), or in more slender 

 claws adapted for perching (Columbacei). 



The order Rasores is divided into two sub-orders, typified 

 respectively by the Fowls and the Pigeons, and termed the 

 Gallinacei and Columhacci. In the former are included the 

 Grouse and its allies {Tctraonidm) ; the Partridges and Quails 

 (Perdicidca) ; the Pheasants, Pea-foM'l, Turkey, and Domestic 

 Fowl {Phasianida^) ; the Sand-grouse {Ptcroclidce) ; the Bush 



