192 PERISTERINffi. 



pigeons ; the tarsus usually exceeding the middle toe 

 in length, and the feet are better adapted for walk- 

 ing than grasping ; the claws are ohtuse, and slight- 

 ly arched. The hallux shorter, and its relative posi- 

 tion different from that of the arboreal species. Their 

 plumage is plainer and more uniform in tint than 

 that of some of the preceding groups, though it still 

 boasts of brilliancy in those species which connect 

 them with other forms. They live almost entirely 

 upon the ground, and many of the species run with 

 great celerity, on which account they have been call- 

 ed Partridge Pigeons. Their flight, which is usu- 

 ally low, is effected with greater exertion than that 

 of the Pigeons, and is never long sustained. 



This division contains a great number of species, 

 and when better investigated, will be found divisible 

 into a variety of minor groups or genera. Mr Swain- 

 son has already characterized two, viz. Chcemepelia, 

 which embraces the diminutive Ground Doves of 

 America, and Peristera^ which contains the smaller 

 Columbi-Gallines of the French naturalists, distin- 

 guished by their lengthened tarsus and gallinaceous 

 habits, and which are found inhabiting Africa, as 

 well as America and its islands. We also include 

 in this division the Bronze-winged Dove of Austra- 

 lia, and other kindred species, such as the Columba 

 elegans of Temmirick, and Columba picata of Wag- 

 ler, to which we propose to give the generic name 

 of Phaps, an appellation formerly bestowed by the 

 Greeks upon some species or variety of pigeon. 



