CLASS II. AVES: ORDER 5. RASORES. 



235 



THE TINAMID^E AND CHIONIDID^. 



The Tinamidce are South American birds resembling grouse, and living on the boi'ders of woods 

 or open grounds, and feeding on the grain-fields, chiefly at night. The nest is made in a tuft of 

 herbage ; the eggs are six to seven ; the young run about as soon as hatched. There are several 

 kinds : those of the genus Tinamotis are as large as a common fowl ; other kinds do not exceed 

 six inches in length. They are caught in large numbers with a noose at the end of a stick ; the 

 flesh is excellent. 



The Chionididce are found along the sea-shores of Australia, New Zealand, and the islands 

 approaching the Antarctic Ocean. The White Sheath-Bill, Chionis alba, is the best known 

 species; it is sixteen inches long, white, resembles the wading-birds, and feeds on mollusca; prob- 

 ably, also on carrion; its flesh is highly valued. 



THE TETRAONID^ OR GROUSE. 



These birds live principally on the ground, run with great swiftness, and feed almost entirely 

 on vegetable substances, such as berries, seeds, and the buds of trees and shrubs. They are gen- 

 erally found in mountainous districts, some living on open heaths, and others in wooded regions. 

 They vary greatly in size, some being nearly as large as a turkey, and others scarcely exceeding 

 the dimensions of a pigeon. 



THE CAPERCAILLE. 



Genus TETRAO : Tetrao. — The largest species is that of the Capercaille, Wood-Grouse, or 

 Cock of the Woods — Coc de Bruyere of the French — T. urogallus: it is three feet long; gen- 

 eral color brownish-black, minutely freckled with grayish-white. Its favorite haunts are extensive 

 woods, where it feeds on cranberries, blackberries, juniper-berries, buds of birch, and the leaves 



