THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 55 



HEMIPODES (Turnicidcz). 



DIAGNOSIS. Small quail-like ground birds with no web 

 at base of toes, and nostrils reaching from base to 

 centre of bill. 



SIZE. From that of a small partridge to that of a 

 sparrow. 



FORM. Bill short to medium, corner of mouth below 

 eye ; nostrils covered on the inner side, and reach- 

 ing from base to centre of bill ; feet with shanks 

 of medium length, with a single row of scales in 

 front, and usually three toes, not united by web 

 at base ; wings short ; tail short and soft ; head 

 bigger than in true quails. 



PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Plain-coloured and much 

 variegated, the females handsomer and larger than 

 the males, the young resembling the latter ; some- 

 times a slight seasonal change. Eyes conspicuously 

 light-coloured. 



YOUNG. Downy and active, much like young quails. 

 The male only attends to them. 



NEST. On the ground, made of dry grass, etc., often 

 domed: 



EGGS. Several ; somewhat conical in shape, and spotted 

 on a pale ground. 



INCUBATION. About twelve days, the male only sitting. 



COURTSHIP. Conducted by the female, which raises 

 her tail and utters a cooing call ; she also calls 

 the male to food. 



FOOD. Insects and seed, herbage, etc. 



GAIT. A walk or run. 



FLIGHT. Performed by quick continued fluttering of 

 the wings, and usually only for short distances.- 



NOTE. A cooing or groaning call. 



DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Unsociable ; the females are 

 very quarrelsome and fight much with each other. 



ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They seem to destroy many 



