MEGAPODIIDJE. 9 



j*. Toes three in front, one behind; rarely two in front and 

 one behind, then the tail soft; or rarely four toes turned 

 forward and arranged in pairs. 



k 1 . Claw of hind toe shorter than that of third toe; feet 

 weak, or feet strong and two toes united for their 



basal joint Coraciiformes (p. 295) 



k 2 . Claw of hind toe equal to or longer than that of middle 



toe. 



I 1 . Outer and middle toes united for their basal joint ; bill 

 broad; eye surrounded by a fleshy wattle; tail 



graduated Eurylaemiformes (p. 410) 



P. Outer and middle toes not united ; toes four in number ; 

 rectrices twelve with rare exceptions; bill variable 

 in shape, never extensively membranous, softly 

 tumid, nor cered Passeriformes (p. 413) 



Order GALLIFORMES. 



MEGAPODES, PAINTED QUAIL, AND PHEASANTS. 



Bill short and stout, culmen curved; head small; body heavy; wings 

 short and rounded, curved to the body; tail either very short or greatly 

 elongated; legs moderate to heavy; claws well developed; toes four, 

 slightly webbed at base. Members of this order are terrestrial; their 

 flight is strong and swift but can not be sustained for a long distance. 

 Their food consists of grain, seeds, and insects. The nest is usually a 

 slight hollow in the ground, hidden by grass or brush; the megapodes, 

 however, bury their eggs in mounds. 



Suborders. 



a 1 . Hind toe on a level with the other toes $ feet and claws very heavy; colors 

 plain, the sexes similar in color Megapodii (p. 9) 



a-. Hind toe slightly elevated; feet and claws moderate in size; sexes very 

 different in color; males much brighter Phasiani (p. 11) 



Suborder MEGAPODII. 

 Family MEGAPODIID^. 



Nostrils oval, situated near anterior border of surrounding membrane ; 

 bill moderate, culmen curved; orbital area nearly naked; ear-opening 

 small; chin, throat, and face scantily feathered with short plumes, the 

 skin usually red or dusky ; legs, feet, and claws very large and powerful ; 

 claws slightly curved and usually blunt; anterior face of tarsus bearing 

 a row of large scutes; rectrices short, exceeding coverts but little; sexes 

 alike. 



