THE THICKNEES 



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and formed of twelve feathers; and the legs are rather long, with a small part of the 

 tibia bare. In all the species the eye is large, and the plumage mottled and striated 

 with shades of buff and brown. The European species, which measures from sixteen 

 to seventeen inches in length, is especially characterized by the conspicuous streak- 

 ing of the breast; the presence of a dark bar across the lesser wing coverts, and the 

 white tips to the greater wing coverts. A common summer visitor to the heathy 

 and other open districts of England, as well as to many parts of Northwestern 

 Europe, the ordinary thicknee is a permanent resident on the shores of the Medi- 

 terranean and in North Africa, as well as in Palestine arid Persia; while in summer 



COMMON THICKNEE. 

 (One-fourth natural size.) 



it also visits Turkestan and Western Siberia, and in winter migrates to India. 

 India also possesses a resident variety, distinguished by its shorter wing; while the 

 genus is represented by four species in Africa, by two in South America, and one in 

 Australia. 



The thichnees are largely nocturnal in their habits, and frequent much the 

 same kind of country as the bustards, where they feed chiefly on worms, slugs, and 

 insects, although they will also devour field voles and reptiles. Their cry is loud 

 and clear, although harsh, and is uttered with the greatest frequency on moonlight 



