GALLING. 335 



dominates, while in certain species red is the prevailing colour. Many of 

 these birds possess a wonderful degree of intelligence^; they learn to talk, re- 

 member tunes, and are very susceptible of education. 'They convey their food 

 to the beak with their claws ; they all eat fruit, but feed likewise on buds, tender 

 bark, roots, and the sweet juices of plants. 



To this family belong the Macaws, the Paroquets, the True Parrots, and 

 the Cockatoos. 



ORDER GALLING.* 



The Gallinaceous birds are terrestrial. They have a short or 

 moderately long beak, which is vaulted above. Their body is 

 heavy and their wings generally short. They all live upon grain, 

 and are furnished with a very strong muscular gizzard ; they de- 

 light in seeking their food upon the ground and in scratching in 

 the dust. Most of our poultry belongs to the Order; their flesh 

 supplies a light and wholesome meat, and their feathers are 

 applied to various purposes both ornamental and useful. 



This Order is divided into sections 



The Gallinae, properly so called, having the front toes united 

 at their base by a short membrane, and their tail composed of 

 fourteen or a still greater number of quills ; and 



The Pigeons, having their toes entirely separate, and the tail 

 formed of twelve quills. 



SECTION OF GALLIX.E, PROPERLY SO CALLED. 



The Gallinae, properly so called, have a short convex beak, 

 with the upper mandible arched or vaulted, and curved from its 

 base to its point. Their three front toes are united by a short 

 membrane; the posterior toe is affixed high up. The principal 

 genera are the Turkeys, the" Peacocks, the Guinea-Fowl, the 

 Pheasants, and the Grouse. 



The Turkeys (Meleagris) have the head and the upper part of the neck 

 covered by a soft skin, which is destitute of feathers. Under the throat there 

 is a fleshy appendage which hangs from the neck, and another of a conical 

 form from the forehead ; these in the male become turgid during excitement. 

 A bunch of stiff hairs, likewise, is appended to the breast of the male. The 

 tail-coverts can be raised so as to form a circle, and the males have feeble 

 spurs. Turkeys, of which only two species are known, are originally from 

 America, whence the Jesuit missionaries introduced them into Europe. The 

 first turkeys appeared in France in 1570, and were served at the wedding of 

 Charles IX. They have since been naturalized in all climates on account of 

 the excellence of their flesh. 



* Callus, a cock; Gallina, a hen. Barn-door fowls being taken as the type of the 



Order. 



