COLUMBINJE. ^61 



protmsible penis. Crax alcctor L., Curassow, South America ; Urax pauxi L., 

 U. galeata Cuv., Mexico ; Penelope cristata Gm., Guan, Brazil ; Meleagris 

 mexicana, Gould., ancestral form of M. gallopavo, the Turkey. 



Here are allied the Crypturidae (Tinamidae), Tinamous, and Opisthocomidae, 

 Hoazin. 



Fam. Megapodiidae (Mound-birds). Long-legged Gallinacei, of medium size, 

 with short, broad tail and large, strongly-clawed, ambulatory foot (pes ambula- 

 torius), the hind toe of which is articulated at the same level as the front toes. 

 Megacephalon tnaleo Temm., Celebes: Megapodius tumulus, North East of 

 Australia. 



Fam. Phasianidae (True fowls). The head is partially bare of feathers, 

 especially in the cheek region ; it is often adorned with coloured combs, cutane- 

 ous lobes or tufts of feathers, and has a strongly-arched beak of medium length, 

 with the point curved downwards. The two sexes are strikingly different, the 

 male being larger and more richly adorned. They are inhabitants of the Old 

 World. Gallus bankiva Temm., Island of Sunda ; Lopliopliorus refulgensTemm., 

 Himalayas ; Pliasianus colchicus L., Common Pheasant ; Ph. pictus L., Golden 

 Pheasant; Ph. {Gallophasis) nycthemerus L., Silver Pheasant, China; Pavo 

 cristatus L., Peacock; -Argus giganteus Temm., Argus Pheasant, Malacca, 

 Borneo ; Numida meleagris L.. Guinea Fowl, North Africa. 



Fam. Tetraonidse. The body is stout, the neck short, the head small and 

 feathered, with at most.one naked stripe above the eyes. The legs are short, 

 and are usually feathered down to the toes. Tetrao urogallus L., Capercally ; 

 T. tetrix L., Black Grouse. The hybrid between these two species is called 

 T. medius, by Meyer. T. lo/iasia L., Hazel Grouse ; Lagopus albus Vieill., 

 Willow Grouse, Scandinavia ; L. alpinus Nilss. ; Perdrix cinerea, Briss., Par- 

 tridge ; P. saxatilis M.W. ; P. rubra Temm., Eed-legged Partridge; Coturnix 

 dactylisonans Meyer, Quail. 



Fam. Pteroclidae (Sand-grouse). Small Gallinacei, with small head, short 

 beak, short, weak legs, long-pointed wings and wedge-shaped tail. Feet with 

 short toes ; hind toe when present rudimentary and attached high up ; it may 

 be absent. Pteroclcs alcliata Gray, in Asia Minor and Africa ; Syrrhaptes 

 paradoxus Pall., in the steppes of Tartary, and lately in North Germany. 



Order 4. COLUMBINE (PIGEONS). 



Birds with weak soft beak, swollen round the nasal apertures, with 

 pointed wings of medium size, and short cloven feet (jiedes Jissi}. The 

 young are altrices. 



The Columbince are most nearly allied to the Pteroclidce. They 

 are of medium size, with small head, short neck and short legs. The 

 beak is longer than in the Gallinacei, but weaker, and gently arched 

 at the horny, somewhat turned- up extremity. At the base of the 

 beak the scaly cover of the nasal openings is swollen, naked, and 

 membranous. The rather long, pointed wings enable the bird to 

 fly quickly and skilfully. The tail is weak and rounded, and contains 

 usually twelve, rarely fourteen, or sixteen rectrices* 



