114 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



The Gallinaceous Birds, named in the scientific 

 language of modern ornithology Rasores, are placed 

 third in Class Aves or Birds, and in addition to the 

 Gallinse, to which hy former authors they were li- 

 mited, they are now made to contain the Pigeons, 

 and the Struthious birds, such as the Ostrich, Bus- 

 tards, &c. The class has also been termed the first 

 of the aberrant series, from the members of it pos- 

 sessing in a less degree the powers of flight and of 

 perching and grasping the great attributes of birds. 

 These are developed to their greatest extent in the 

 birds of prey and the incessorial order ; and although 

 in the present division we find some species with a 

 strong flight, and feet fitted for grasping, yet, when 

 they are examined as a whole, these are not seen as 

 marked properties of the order, while others are 

 most conspicuous. 



The Rasorial birds are formed principally for abode 

 upon the ground, and for this purpose the legs and 

 feet are strong, the toes placed upon a plane, and 

 connected at the base by a strong binding membrane. 

 The hallux or hind toe, the great accessory in perch- 

 ing and grasping, is often wanting, and is always 

 short, and the nails are short, or, when lengthened, 

 always stretch in a line with the toe ; consequently 

 the powers of walking and running are great, and in 

 some instances conduce alone to the preservation of 

 their possessor. The greater part of their food is 

 Vken upon the ground, and consiots of insects, grain, 

 ./ots, seeds, and tender vegetables. Their nests are 



