16 BIRD GALLERY. 



Section B. C A R I N A T M. Carinate Birds. 



All existing birds which do not belong to the Ratitce are included in 

 one great division — the CarinateB — characterised by the fact that the 

 pterygoid bone articulates with the palatine by means of a joint. The 

 vomer is much reduced or absent. 



In some few birds belonging to several different subdivisions of this 

 great group the keel of the breast-bone is extremely reduced in size, 

 and the power of flight is almost or entirely lost, as is the case in the 

 flightless Ratitse. 



The division of the Carinata into orders and families, and the mutual 

 relations of these groups to one another, are subjects of great difficulty 

 upon which zoologists are by no means as yet agreed. The classification 

 adopted in this gallery, which represents the general result of much 

 recent work, must therefore be looked upon as provisional. 



Thirty- one Orders are recognised in this scheme. 



Order I. GALLIFORMES. Game-Birds. 



This order is composed of the great bulk of the species commonly 

 known as " Game "-Birds. Nearly 400 different kinds are known, 

 forming a well-defined group. 



The bill is short and stout, the upper mandible being arched and 

 overhanging the lower mandible. The body is well built and robust, 

 the great development of the pectoral muscles giving these birds a well- 

 fed, sturdy appearance. The legs and toes are fairly long and strong 

 and well adapted for walking and running, and the latter are provided 

 with stout curved claws, suitable for scratching and digging up roots, 

 insects, and other food. The hind toe is always present, but varies in 

 size and position. 



The feathers covering the body are provided with a well-developed 

 aftershaft. 



The young when hatched are covered with soft, beautifully patterned 

 down (except in the Megapodes, vide infra), and are able to run within 

 a few hours of the time they emerge from the shell. The eggs, especially 

 of the smaller species, are often numerous, and, when spotted, have only 

 a single set of surface-marks, which are easily removed, none of the 

 pale underlying spots characteristic of the Sand-Grouse, Hemipodes, 

 and Wading-birds being found. 



Two Suborders are recognised. 



