ZOOLOGY. 



ostrich. The head is feathered, and the feet have 

 three toes each. 



Ostrich (Struthio camelus). 



The Emeu (Dromaius Nova Hollandice) is 

 confined to the Australian continent, and attains 

 the height of from five to seven feet. 



The Cassowary (Casuarius galeatus) is a native 

 of Molucca and New Guinea. The head, which is 

 naked, is surmounted by a horny crest. Its height 

 is about five feet. 



The Apteryx is confined to New Zealand. Its 

 rudimentary wings are concealed beneath the 





Apteryx (Apteryx Australis). 



general plumage, and each is terminated by a 

 short claw. The beak is long, slender, and slightly 

 curved, and the nostrils are placed at the ex- 

 tremity of the upper mandible. It is nocturnal 

 in its habits, and feeds upon insects and worms. 

 It stands about two feet in height. The fossil 

 remains of some gigantic wingless birds have 

 been found in New Zealand, and have been 

 referred to the genera Dinornis, Palapteryx, and 

 Aptornis. The shin-bone of the D. giganteus 

 measured about three feet in length, and the bird 

 itself must have been about ten feet in height. 



Rasores, or Scratchers. 



ORDER 4. Rasores (Scratchers) nearly cor- 

 responding with the Gallinaceee, or Poultry tribes 

 are land-birds of bulky bodies, generally grain- 

 feeders, gregarious in their habits, and readily 

 domesticable. Their flesh is savoury and whole- 

 some, and their fecundity great. The upper man- 

 dible is vaulted, and the nostrils are pierced in 

 a membranous scale at its base. A cartilaginous 

 scale covers the nostril. Their legs are thick 

 and strong, with four toes, each of which is ter- 

 minated by a strong short claw suited for scratch- 

 ing, hence their name as an order. The heads of 



many of the males are ornamented with elegant 

 crests. Almost all of them have a large crop, 

 and an extremely muscular gizzard. In general 

 they construct their nests on the ground. Each 

 male usually associates with many females ; he 

 taking no part in constructing the nest or rearing 

 the young, and these are generally numerous, and 

 able to run about and provide for themselves the 

 moment they quit the shell. The young of Pigeons,, 

 however, are brought forth in a comparatively 

 helpless condition. 



They are divided into two sub-orders i. The 

 Gallinacei or Clamatores, the latter name being 

 derived from the character of their cry, including 

 the PhasianidcB and Tetraonida:. 2. The Colum- 

 bacei or Gemitores, including the Doves and 

 Pigeons. 



The Phasianidce (Pheasant or Fowl Family) 

 are distinguished by the shortness of their hind- 

 toe, the presence of spurs on the legs, and the 

 beautiful development of the tail. Excluding the 

 turkey, they are birds of the Old World. The 

 Pheasant (Phasianus) derives its name from the 

 Phasis, a river of Colchis, in Asia Minor, from 

 which district it was first introduced into Europe. 

 The Argus Pheasant (Argus giganteus}, inhabiting 





Argus Pheasant (Argus giganteiis). 



Sumatra, has large wings covered with eye-like 

 spots, which give this bird a remarkable appear- 

 ance. The Peacock (Pavo cristatus) is a native 

 of the forests of India. Alexander the Great 

 found it flying in great numbers in India, and 

 introduced it into Europe. Its beautiful train 

 has made this bird a favourite in the ornamental 

 grounds of English country mansions. The Com- 

 mon Fowl (Callus domesticus) are supposed to 

 have originated in the Indian Archipelago, and to 

 have been introduced at a still earlier period into 

 Europe. Their usefulness and general habits 

 are too well known to require description. The 

 Turkeys (Meleagrina) are the only representatives 

 of this group in the New World, whence they were 

 brought by the early discoverers, and are now 

 quite naturalised in Europe. A more splendid 

 species than the common one has been subse- 

 quently discovered in the Bay of Honduras. The 

 Guinea-fowl (Numida) is originally a native of 



