RASORES. 379 



venturing to attack a Turkey. Some of them are feathered 

 down to the toes. The long neck-feathers of this and the pre- 

 ceding fowl, are used by anglers for making artificial flies. 



The SHANGHAI FOWL, introduced from Shanghai, China, in 

 1848, by Capt. Forbes. Their general plumage is of a gold 

 color, variegated with dark brown and red ; their movement 

 appears proud and showy, but their legs are rather too long for 

 beauty. 



The POLISH FOWL, a small but beautiful breed, having deep 

 black plumage, with a white tuft on the crown of the head. 



The DORKING FOWL, a large and delicate variety. Its chief 

 peculiarity is the double hind toe, it thus having five instead of 

 four toes. 



The MALAY FOWL, a long-legged and timorous bird, which, 

 for the first six months, has scarcely a feather to cover its na- 

 kedness ; its flesh, except in pure breeds, is coarse and stringy. 



The JUNGLE FOWLS, are large and spirited, with plumage of 

 purple and deep golden green, which, in the sun, has a splendid 

 appearance. The Chinese use these birds as Game Fowls. 



FIFTH FAMILY. GROUSE. 

 Tetraonida, (Lat. tetrao, a heath-cock, or moor fowl.) 



This family are distinguished from the Pheasants by the absence 

 of naked crests and wattles, that are so common among those 

 birds, as well as of the brilliant colors and the metallic lustre of 

 their plumage. The only naked skin about the Grouse is the 

 space which surrounds the eye ; this, when present, is of a 

 scarlet color. The tail is very short, and, in some species, 

 rudimentary. In the larger Grouse, of Europe and America, 

 and the Pintails, of Africa, this organ is, however, largely de- 

 veloped. The birds of this family differ from the Pheasants in 

 having the hind toe small and weak, and in some genera, reduced 

 to a mere rudiment. Some are found in the warmer regions, 

 but the larger and most typical part of them, in the cold regions 

 of the Northern Hemisphere, and on Alpine summits. As a 

 protection against the cold, these have the feet more or less 

 clothed with feathers. 



The Grouse, unlike other birds of the order, for the most part, 

 pair at the breeding season ; though several species congregate 

 in large flocks. They all lay their eggs upon the ground, usu- 

 ally in large numbers ; in their general habits, they are terres- 

 trial, running with much ea?e and swiftness. In cold climates, 

 they sometimes perch on the low stunted trees. They feed on 



