108 



marbled with light brown on the bare ground amongst 

 heath or fern. 



It frequents woods, and feeds in the evening on 

 beetles. 



It chatters by night, with a singular noise. 



" We have witnessed the singular manner in which this 

 bird takes its prey, consisting of moths and beetles, which 

 it pursues with great agility on the wing, occasionally throw- 

 ing itself backwards, and thrusting out its foot, with which 

 it seizes and conveys them to its mouth with great deli- 

 beration : probably its serrated claws may assist this oper- 

 ation." W. 



ORDER IV. COLUMILE. 



Base of the bill covered with a soft tumid mem- 

 brane, the tip arcuated. 



Stomach muscular, or furnished with a gizzard. 



GENUS XXXI, 

 COLUMBA. 



Bill weak, straight, slender, a little bent at the 

 apex ; nostrils oblong, half covered by a soft tumid 

 membrane ; tongue entire ; legs short. 



