BRITISH BIRDS. 343 



ff)C 



BIRDS of this genus generally prefer high north- 

 ern latitudes, or the more lofty mountainous situa- 

 tions in the central parts of Europe; their food 

 consisting almost entirely of leaves and berries. 

 The larger species are said to be polygamous. 

 The male has greatly the advantage in point of 

 size and beauty of plumage. The smaller families 

 observe the common law of pairing, and of per- 

 forming together the work of incubation, with great 

 assiduity and affection. In these the difference of 

 sex is very little conspicuous. Some of the species 

 moult once, others twice a year. 



The birds of this kind are principally charac- 

 terized by their strong curved beak, the massive 

 bulkiness of their bodies, and their plumed legs 

 and toes. 



