TINAMOUS. 245 



the shores for the same purposes, searching the 

 beaches and rocks for shelled mollusca, chiefly the 

 limpets (Patella), on which they principally sub- 

 sist ; they do not reject, however, other animal 

 matters thrown up by the action of the waves, 

 as well as sea-weeds, and these are found in their 

 stomachs, usually mingled with small stones. 

 Their flight is rapid, and resembles that of a 

 Pigeon. 



We illustrate the genus by the Small Sheath- 

 bill (Chionis minor), which is about as large as a 

 Lapwing, of a pure white hue, with red beak and 

 feet. 



FAMILY VI. TINAMID.&. 



(Tinamous.) 



The Family of the Tinamous is peculiar to 

 the warmer parts of the world. They are inter- 

 mediate in form between the Partridges and the 

 Bustards, .having the long neck and legs and 

 small feet of the latter, and the nostrils covered 

 with a naked scale, like the Pheasants. The 

 beak varies in length ; the wings are short, and 

 the tail and the hind toe rudimentary.* In some 

 the joint of this toe with its claw is just perceptible 

 as a little tubercle ; but in others it is altogether 

 lost. 



Most of the species, which are indeed extremely 

 few in number, inhabit the immense grassy plains 

 of South America, where they seem to represent 

 the Partridges and Quails of the Old World. 

 With scarcely any tail, and with very thick bodies, 



* Synopsis of the Brit. Mus. (1842) p. 37. 



