GRALLATORI^. 323 



We can also separate some species with pointed tails*. 

 But the best of all the divisions that have been made among the 

 Pigeons, is that of, 



ViNAGO, CuV. CoLOMBARsf, Vaill. 



Known by the bill, which is thicker, formed of a solid substance, and 

 compressed on the sides ; the tarsi are short, the feet wide and well bor- 

 dered. They all feed on fruit, and inhabit forests. But few species are 

 known, all of which are from the torrid zone of the eastern continent J. 

 Some of them have a pointed tail§. 



ORDER V. 



GRALLATORI^.— Grall.^, Lin. 

 The birds of this order derive their name from their habits, and from 

 the conformation which produces these habits. We may know them by 

 the nudity of the lower part of their legs, and, more frequently, by the 

 height of their tarsi — two circumstances which enable them to enter the 

 water to a certain depth without wetting their feathers, and to wade 

 through it and seize fish by means of their neck and bill, the length of 

 which is usually proportioned to that of the legs. Those which are fur- 

 nished with a strong bill feed on fish and reptiles : those with a weak one 

 on worms and insects. A very few feed partially on grain and herbs, 

 and they alone live at a distance from the water. The external toe is 

 most commonly united at its base with that of the middle one, by means 

 of a short membrane ; sometimes there are two similar membranes, and, at 

 other times, these are entirely wanting, and the toes are completely sepa- 

 rated; it sometimes also happens, though rarely, that they are bordered all 

 along, or palmated to the very end; in fine, the thumb is deficient in se- 

 veral genera — circumstances, all of which have an influence on their mode 



• Col. migratoria, Enl. 176; Frisch, 142; Tern. 48 and 49;— Co?, carolinensis, lb. 

 175; Tem. 50; Catesb. 24; Edw. 15;— Co/. Reivwartii, Tern. Col. 248;— C. hume- 

 ralis, lb. 191; — C. amboinensis, lb. 100;— 5. lophotes, lb. 142;— C. venvsta, lb. 341, 

 1, or Col. strepitans, Spix, Ixxv, 1; — Col. dominicensis, lb. 487; Tem. 51;— Co/, ca- 

 pensis, lb. 140, &c. ; Vaill. 273, 274; Tem. 53, 54j— C. Maugei, Tem. 52 ;— Col. 

 macquaria, Quoy and Gaym. Voy. de Freyc. 31. 



t Vinago, the Latin name of the C. anas — Vieill. has changed it into Treron. 

 X Col. abyssinica, or Wallia of Bruce, Vaill. 276, 277 ; Tem. 8 and 9 \—Col. aus- 

 tralis, Enl. 3; Tem. 3 •,—Col. aromatica, Enl. 163; Tem. 57; Brown, Zool. 111. 20; 

 Col. vernans, Enl. 158 ; Tem. 10 and II ; Col. militaris, Tem. 1 and 2 ; — C. psitta- 

 cea, Tem. 4 ;— C. calva, Tem. 7 ;— C. olax, T. Col. 241 ;— C. Capellei, lb. 143. 

 § Co/. oj-y«ra, T., Col. 140. 



D d2 



