324 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



their bodies are large and bulky, and their heads 

 comparatively small : the bill in all of them is 

 short, strong, and somewhat curved ; their wings 

 are short and concave, and scarcely able to support 

 their bodies, on which account they seldom make 

 long excursions : their legs are strong, and fur- 

 nished with a spur or a knob behind. 



Birds of this kind are extremely prolific, and lay 

 a great number of eggs ; the young follow the 

 mother as soon as hatched, and immediately pick 

 up the food which she is most assiduous in shew- 

 ing them : she generally makes her nest on the 

 ground, or in places easy of access to her young 

 brood. 



Our gallant Chanticleer holds a distinguished 

 rank in the list of our domestic tribes ; on which 

 account we shall place him at the head. 



