KEY TO FAMILIES. 



THE LAND BIRDS. 



Order X. Gallinse. - TURKEYS, Gijorsr., HOIS-WHITES, etc. 

 Toes four, the hind one small and elevated 

 above the front ones ; bill generally short, stout, 

 hard, and horny ; wings rather short, the outer 

 primaries curved and much stiffened. 



A. Size very large. . . . Subfamily Melcag- 

 rina: TURKEYS, p. 186. ^ 



B. Size smaller. . . . Family Tttraonidce: 

 GROUSE, BOB-WHITES, etc. (Fig. 27), p. 178. 



FIG. 27. 



Order XI. Columbae. - PIGEONS and DOVKS. 

 Toes four, all on the same level, th.e hind one 

 about as long as the shortest front one ; bill 

 rather slender, deeply grooved, the nostrils open- 

 ing in a soft, fleshy membrane or skin. . . . 

 Family ColumbldcK; PIGEONS and DOVES (Fig. 

 ), p. 187. 



FIG. 28. 



FIG. 29. 



Order XII. Raptores. Yri/n i:i.>. HAWKS, and OWLS. 



Toes four, three in front, the hind one, except in the Vultures, generally 

 as long as or longer than the shortest front one; all the toes armed with 

 strong, sharp, curved nails or talons ; bill with a cere, or covering of 

 skin, at its base, through which the nostrils upon, very stout and strong, 

 the tip of the upper mandible with a sharply pointed hook. 



FIG. 30. 



A. Eyes set in a striking facial disk ; tarsus generally feathered ; plum 

 age soft and fluffy. 





