Order 4. GALLING. 217 



first quill longest, and flight extraordinarily swift ; sternal crest more developed than in any other bird 

 whatever, the inner emargination of the sternum almost obliterated : furcula singularly short and wide, 

 without any appenddage : the alimentary passage resembles that of other Poultry, having coeca as 

 much developed as in a Partridge. The feathers are moulted twice a year, and resemble those of the 

 Bustards, both sexes being alike in winter, and the male acquiring a peculiar garb in summer. Tliey 

 lay few eggs, and the young do not follow their pju-ents for some time, but are fed by them in the 

 nest. They inhabit the arid deserts of Africa and Arabia, and are peculiar to the eastern hemisphere.] 



One (T. alchata, Lin.), mhabits the south of France and bcn-ders of the Mediterranean. [Another (T. arenarius, 

 Pallas) occurs in Spain, and a third {Pt. caspicus, Menetr.) is found in south-eastern Europe. There are 

 jnauy more. 



Closely allied to the Gangas, we deem 



The Tetraogailus, Hardwicke,— 



A large species from the mountains of the north of India, with shorter wings and comparatively 



stout bill. The tarsi are armed with spurs, and the first five qiulls are nearly equal. 



It IS the T. nigelli, Gray]. 



The Partridges {Perdix, Brissou), — 



Have the tarsi naked as well as the toes. Among them 



The Francolins {Francolimui, Tem.) — 

 Are distinguished by their longer and stouter beak, more developed tail, and generally by their stout spurs. 



There is one in southern Europe (T. francolinus, Lin.), with red feet ; the neck and belly of the male black, with 

 round white spots, and a vivid rufous collar. 



Some of the forei^ species are remarkable either for possessing double spurs, or a naked skin on the throat, or 

 they combine these two characters : others, again, have a particularly large beak, and are without spurs. 



The Restricted Partridges — 

 .ave the beak not quite so stout : the males have short spurs, or simple tubercles, which are wanting 

 in the females. 



Every one is acquainted with 



The Grey Partridge (T. cineretis, Lin.), that prolific species of game, which lives and propagates in our fieijs, 

 and is so highly esteemed for the table. 



The Red Partridge (T. riifits, Lin.) [and five or six others with the same general character of plumage, form a 

 natural group, the first dress of which is analogous to that of the preceding. All are peculiar to the eastern 

 hemisphere.! 



The Quails {Coturnix, Tem.) — 



Are smaller than the Partridges; with a more slender beak and shorter tail : they have neither spurs 

 nor red eyebrow, [and have longer wings. All are peculiar to the eastern hemisphere, where they are 

 generally diffused]. 



The Common Quail (T. coturnix, Lin.), a small European bird, celebrated for its migrations across the Medi. 

 terranean. [There are many others.] 



The Colins {Ortyx, Stephens), — 

 Or Partridges and Quails of America, have a shorter and stouter beak, more convex above : their tail 

 is somewhat larger. They perch on branches, and, when disturbed, even on trees.* Several species 

 migrate like our Quails. 

 [Some have remarkable recurved topknots, in one «/ extraordinary length |. 



We are obliged to separate from the whole genus of Grouse 



The Ortygans {Hemipodius, Tem.), — 

 Which have no thumb, and the compressed beak of which forms a slight projection under the lower 

 mandible. They cannot, however, be properly classed until their anatomy is known. The species are 

 polygamous, and inhabit sandy regions. 

 Some of them, 



The Ortygans (Orh/ffk, Illiger),— 

 Have the general aspect of Quails, with toes separated to their very base, having no small membrane. 

 [The chief peculiarity of their anatomy consists in the absence of a craw.] 

 The natives of Java train one species for fighting (the H. pugnax), as Game-Cocks are trained in England. 



* Tlie Red Partridffee will sometimes du thii.— .£0. 



