MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 45 



tarsi generally short, sometimes feathered, 

 usually covered in front with broad scales, 

 strong ; toes moderate. 



V. ORDER. GALLINACEOUS, or GAME-BIRDS (Gallinse). 



Feet especially adapted to walking ; legs long and 

 strong ; tarsi generally provided with one or more 

 spurs ; toes connected at their base by a membrane ; 

 claws blunt ; wings short ; bill arched. 



1. FAMILY. Curassows (Cracidse). Bill varied in 



form, covered at base by a soft skin, more or 

 less curved, sometimes much compressed, with 

 culmen greatly elevated; nostrils generally 

 exposed ; cheeks more or less denuded ; head 

 sometimes crested or ornamented with curled 

 feathers ; tarsi without spurs ; claws some- 

 times much curved ; hind toe long and placed 

 on a level with others, forming a good perch- 

 ing foot ; tail lengthened and broad. 



2. FAMILY. Mound-Birds (Megapodiidse). Bill not 



stout, rather weak, with culmen low at base, 

 apical half slightly elevated and curved to 

 tip ; nostrils placed near middle of bill ; tarsi 

 very stout, without spurs; toes long; hind 

 toes on same plane as the others ; claws very 

 long, slightly curved ; wings rather large, 

 rounded ; tail sometimes very short. 



3. FAMILY. Brush- Turkeys (Talegallidse). Bill 



strong, thick, somewhat compressed, culmen 

 curved to tip ; head and neck very scantily 

 clothed, with skin brightly coloured and more 



