242 VERTEBRATES : BIRDS. 



and the coverts so much developed as to conceal the 

 quills. It is represented by the Massena Partridge, C. 

 massena, Gould, of the Upper Rio Grande. 



The Genus Perdix comprises the Gray Partridge, P. 

 cinerea, of Europe, which is about twelve inches long. 



The Genus Coturnix includes the Common European 

 Quail, C. dactylisonans, which is seven inches long. 



SUB-SECTION V. 



THE ORDER OF CURSORES, OR RUNNERS. 



THE Order of Cursores comprises birds of great size, 

 with the neck and legs very long, and the wings rudi- 

 mentary. 



STRUTHIONID^E, OR OSTRICH FAMILY. This Family 

 comprises the Ostriches, Cassowaries, Apteryx, and the 

 like. They run with great speed, but cannot fly. 



The Genus Struthio is represented by the Eastern Os- 

 trich, vS. camelus, Linn., of the deserts of Africa and Asia, 

 which is six to eight feet high. Its feet have but two 

 toes, and the outer one is only half the length of the 

 inner, and destitute of a nail. It is so swift of foot that 

 no- animal can overtake it in running. Its eggs weigh 

 about three pounds each, and are laid in the sand, and, 

 in the hot regions, left to hatch, but in cooler regions are 

 brooded with care, and defended with great courage. 



The Genus Rhea comprises the American Ostrich, of 

 South America, which is much smaller than the preced- 

 ing, and particularly distinguished by having three toes, 

 all armed with nails ; color, gray. It is said that several 

 of them lay their eggs in one and the same nest. 



The Genus Casuarius has even shorter wings than the 

 Ostriches, and feathers which resemble pendent hairs, 

 and three toes, each furnished with a nail. 



The Galeated Cassowary, C. galeatus, of the Indian 



