140 



AVES. 



ORDER IV. 

 GALLINACE^E. 



d A I.I. I N.i:, /.'mint >i*. 



THESE birds are so called from their affinity with the domestic cock, and, 

 like it, generally have the upper mandible arched, the nos- 

 trils pierced in a broad membranous space at the base of 

 the beak, and covered by a cartilaginous scale ; a heavy 

 carriage, short wings, and the bony sternum diminished 

 by two emarginations, so wide and deep that they occupy 

 nearly the whole sides, its crest being truncated ob- 

 liquely forwards so that the sharp point of the fourchette is 

 only joined to it by a ligament, circumstances which, by 

 greatly impairing the strength of the pectoral muscles, render 

 it difficult for them to fly. Their tail generally consists of 

 fourteen quills, and sometimes of eighteen. With the ex- 

 ception of the hocco, they all lay their eggs on the ground^ 

 on a few carelessly arranged blades of straw or grass. 



This order is chiefly composed of one very natural family* 

 remarkable for having furnished us with most of our domestic 

 poultry, and abundance of excellent game. 



ALECTOR, Merr*. 



The Hoccos are large gallinacese of America, which resemble turkeys, with a 

 broad, rounded tail, formed of large and stiff quills. They live in the woods, 

 feed on buds and fruit, perch and build on trees, are very social, and easily 

 domesticated. 



The remaining genera belonging to this division are Ourax (Stone Bird), 

 Penelope (TheGuans or Yacous), Ortialida, and Opisthocomus. 



PAVO, Linnaeus. 



The Peacocks are characterised by an aigrette or crest on the head, and by 

 the coverts of the tail of the male being larger than its quills, 

 and capable of being erected so as to form a circle. The 

 shining, lax, and silky barbs of these feathers, and the ocel- 

 lated spots that decorate their extremities, are well known 

 in the 



P. Cristatus, Lin. (The Common Peacock.) This superb 

 bird, originally from the north of India, was introduced into 

 Europe by Alexander. Its magnificent plumage is even 

 surpassed in brilliancy by that of the wild ones. 



A LECTOR is the Greek name of the cock. 



