234 



VERTEBRATA. 



of ita habits boars no inconsiderable resemblance to many of the rasores. In other respects, how- 

 ever, it iliff.-rs vorv widely from these. Its nest is a neat domed structure, composed of mosses, 

 roots an.l stems of plants; aii<l when it is approached pretty closely, which, from its extreme shy- 

 ness, is bv no means an easy matter, it is found to possess a varied song. Both the species are 

 found principally in the rocky gullies of New South Wales, where they run through the bush 

 with such swiftness that, according to Mr. Gould, they are the most difficult to procure of all the 

 birds of Australia. They fly but little, their wings being very short, and rounded. 



rli^I^O%i;?^ii^!>J^ 



ORDER 5. RASORES. 



This order includes the numerous species of Gallinaceous Birds, or those whicli agree more or 

 less in structure with our common fowl, and the name Rasores, or Scrapers, alludes to the habit 

 of scratching in the ground in search of food, which is common with domestic poultry. They 

 are generally marked by a small head, stout legs, the plumage firm, the males usually adorned 

 with magnificent colors, and the tails often developed in a manner to render the appearance ex- 

 tremely elegant. The wings are usually short and weak, and the flight of the birds neither pow- 

 erful nor prolonged. The stomach or gizzard is exceedingly muscular and strong, and lined with 

 hard tendinous plates, by the action of which, assisted in most cases by stones, or other hard sub- 

 stances which the birds swallow, the comminution of the food is effected. The intestine is long, 

 and furnished with very large coeca ; the latter organs, in fact, are larger in these than in any 

 other birds. The species are found in all parts of the world, from the tropics to the frozen regions 

 of the north ; but the finest and most typical kinds arc inhabitants of the temperate and warmer 

 parts of Asia. They feed principally on seeds, fruits, and herbage, but also, to a considerable ex- 

 tent, on insects, worms, and other small animals. Their general habitation is on the ground, 

 where they run with great celerity, but many of them roost on trees. They are mostly polyga- 

 mous in their habits, the males being usually surrounded by a considerable troop of females ; and 

 to these, with few a exceptions, the whole business of incubation is generally left. The nest is 

 always placed on the ground in some sheltered situation, and very little art is exhibited in its con- 

 struction ; indeed, an elaborate nest is the less necessary, as the young are able to run about and 

 feed almost as soon as they have left the egg ; and at night, or on the approach of danger, they 

 collect beneath the wings of their mother. Most of these species — including Grouse, Partridges, 

 Quails, Turkeys, Pheasants, the Common Fowls, Peacocks, Mound Birds, Curassows, <fec. — are 

 esteemed for the table, and many of them are among the most celebrated of game birds. 



