PHASIANIN^E. 231 



large, with prominent internal longitudinal or reticulated 

 rugse. Nostrils basal, operculate, small. Eyes rather 

 small, or moderate. Legs generally strong ; tarsi of mo- 

 derate length, or short, scutellate or feathered, in the 

 former case sometimes having a spur or knoh behind ; 

 three anterior spreading toes, often also a hind toe, which 

 is always small and elevated ; claws moderately arched, 

 depressed, obtuse. Plumage full, the feathers with a 

 large plumule ; wings generally concave, short, or mode- 

 rate, tail various. 



Representatives of this order are found in all parts of 

 the world. In Britain the species are not numerous, 

 there being only eight. They feed on seeds, berries, hard 

 fruits, buds, twigs, and herbaceous plants, occasionally 

 insects and worms ; run with great celerity ; have a strong, 

 rapid, and continued, though generally heavy flight ; nes- 

 tle on the ground, and lay numerous eggs. The young, 

 born with their eyes open, and their body covered with 

 close stiffish down, are able to run about presently after 

 exclusion. They are led about by their mother, who 

 manifests the greatest anxiety for their welfare, protects 

 them from cold and wet under her wings, feigns lameness 

 to draw intruders after her, while they remain concealed 

 among the herbage, and points out to them the substances 

 on which they are to feed. Many of these birds scrape up 

 the dry leaves and earth with their feet in search of food ; 

 but the habit is not general. 



FAMILY XXIX. PHASIANIJSLE. PHASIA- 

 NINE BIRDS, OR PHEASANTS. 



Birds of large size, having the body full, the neck 

 slender and rather long, the head small and oblong. 



