80 SURVF.Y OF THE ZOOLOGY OF NORTH AMERICA. 



The number of gallinaceous bii'ds is extremely limited. 

 America can, however, boast of its native wild turkey — one 

 of the most magnificent game-birds in existence. There is 

 also the pinnated or Cupid Grouse. The Barren Grounds of 

 Kentucky, and a few other districts, are inhabited by the 

 ruffle grouse, which is also often called the pheasant. It 

 ranges to a considerable distance northward, and Dr. Richard- 

 son found it even on the borders of the Polar regions. There 

 is likewise a small-sized partridge, which is improperly called 

 the quail. 



With the exception of the golden plover, few of the wading 

 birds resemble those of Europe. The snipe, the woodcock, the 

 curlew, most of the sand-pipers, together with the coot and 

 the water-hen, are distinct from those of Europe, and are 

 not only peculiar to America, but few of them have been 

 found to the south of the Ime. One of the most magnificent 

 birds is the American flamingo, which is of a more beautiful 

 and intense scarlet than that of Europe, and fully as tall ; 

 another bird, the wood-ibis, has the same form as the glossy 

 ibis of southern Europe. In Carolina and Florida is found 

 the magnificent scarlet ibis, but it seldom makes its way to 

 the northern parts of the Union. There are several large and 

 beautiful species of herons. Although most of the duck tribe 

 range throughout the continent, there are some — such as 

 the summer or tree duck of South Carolina — which range 

 from the States to the warmer shores of the southern pro- 

 vinces, while the celebrated canvas-back duck, so highly 

 prized at table, is found chiefiy in the temperate parts of the 

 continent. The rest of the duck tribe inhabit the northern 

 regions, only quitting them for the United States during the 

 severity of winter. 



