TINAMID^E, OR TINAMOUS. MEGAPODID^E. 483 



venturing far out to sea, whence it has been placed by some 

 Naturalists among the Natatores. 



434. The family of TINAMID^E, or Tinamous, is peculiar to 

 the warmer parts of the world. The Birds which it includes 

 are intermediate in form between the Phasianidae and the 

 Bustards ; having the long neck and legs, and the small feet, of 

 the latter, and a naked scale covering the nostrils, as in the 

 former. The tail is nearly altogether wanting, and the wings 

 are short ; the hind toe is not at all developed, or has the form 

 of a mere claw. These Birds are mostly found among the low 

 brushwood or tall grass ; and their food consists of fruits and 

 insects. 



435. The family of MEGAPODID.E, or Megapodes^ is peculiar 

 to Australia and the adjacent islands. It derives its name from 

 the large size of the feet of the Birds included in it ; which are 

 furnished with long blunt claws. One species ( Talegalla Lathami) 

 is termed by the colonists the Brush Turkey, on account of the 

 wattles with which its neck is furnished ; it is a large handsome 

 bird, inhabiting brushwood, and feeding on seeds, berries, and 

 insects. Its flesh is delicate and tender ; and it is capable of 

 domestication. Another species (Lelpoa ocellata), in which the 

 head is clothed with feathers, and crested, is known as the Native 

 Pheasant ; it is more slender and elegantly formed than the last, 

 and inhabits rather the sandy plains, feeding chiefly upon seeds 

 and berries. In the genus Megapodius, the form of the beak 

 and the general aspect strongly resemble that of the Fowl ; 

 whence the name Jungle-Fowl is commonly given to it. The 

 head is crested ; and the toes and claws are of great size and 

 strength. These Birds, therefore, may be regarded as represent- 

 ing in Australia the different sections of the family Phasianidae, 

 which are wanting in that division of the globe. They are all 

 remarkable for the very curious mode in which their eggs are 

 hatched ; this will be described in the succeeding volume. 



