VERTEBRATA. 



333 



FIG. 315. Prairie-chicken (Cupidonia cupido). 

 Western prairies. 



being united by a short web, and terminating in blunt 



claws. The legs are usually feathered to the heel, some- 

 times (as in Grouse) 



to the toes. The 



feathers of the body 



are large and coarse. 



The males generally 



have gay plumage, 



and some appendage 



to the head. The 



nostrils are covered 



by a scale or valve. 



Their main food is 



grain. Such are the 



Grouse, Partridges, Turkeys, Pheasants, Poultry, and Cu- 



rassows. To these may be added, 



7. ColumbcB, or Pigeons and Doves, although they stand 



intermediate between the 

 terrestrial and perching 

 Birds, as the Flamingoes 

 link the aquatic and terres- 

 trial. They differ from the 

 typical Rasores in having 

 wings for prolonged flight, 

 and slender legs, fitted rath- 

 er for an arboreal life, with 

 toes not united, and the 

 hind toe on a level with 

 the rest. 



C. AERIAL BIRDS. This 



FIG. SIB. -Ring-dove (Coi^iba paiumbus). highest and largest group 

 El 's land - includes all those Birds 



whose toes are fitted for grasping or perching, the hind 



toe being on a level with the rest. The knee is free from 



the body, and the leg is generally feathered to the heel. 



