THE GALLINACEOUS GROUP. 21 



of a bulbous nature, berries, the tender tops 

 of vegetables, not excluding insects, and tbeir 

 larvse, -worms, and the like. Their limbs are 

 strong and muscular, enabling them to run 

 •with ease ; the tarsi or legs are covered with 

 strong scales, and, in the males of many species, 

 are armed with a sharp horny spur. The three 

 anterior toes are furnished with strong claws, 

 the hind toe is short, its point only touching 

 the ground, and in some species it is wanting. 

 From the muscularity of the limbs and the 

 strength of the claws, the birds of this group 

 are for the most part capable of scratching up 

 the surface of the ground in quest of grains 

 or insects ; many delight to throw the dust 

 over their plumage, and wallow in the dry 

 gravel or sandy earth. Swampy, humid 

 situations are their aversion, and a continuance 

 of heavy rains renders them dull and dis- 

 spirited. As might be inferred from the 

 nature of their food, the gallinaceous birds 

 have a stout horny beak, with a tcugh mem- 

 brane at the base, in which the nostrils are 

 situated. The form of the body is plump, 

 stout, and broad, with an ample breast. Tlie 

 powers of flight are very moderate, and in 

 most the wings are short, concave, and 



