MEGAPODIIXSL 421 



gishness that they will remain the entire day without moving, 

 and will not even take the trouble to escape from their enemies. 

 They have the habit of rolling themselves in the dust, and fre- 

 quent indifferently cultivated ground, grassy meadows, or thick 

 woods. Except in rare instances, they roost upon the ground. 

 They are crepuscular that is, they seek their food in the early 

 mornings and evenings, and even by moonlight. ' Their selection 

 of nutriment is frugivorous, granivorous, insectivorous, and vermi- 

 vorous. They make their nests on the ground, and lay twice a year 

 seven or eight eggs. Their flesh is good, and much sought after. 

 Tinamus tataupa (Swainson) may be taken as a representative 

 of the order. Mr. Darwin, in his " Journal of Researches in the 

 Countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle" describes this bird. 



CHIONID^E. 



The birds belonging to this family are characterised by a short, 

 crooked, and stout bill, long and pointed wings, a middling-sized 

 tail, and a merely rudimentary back toe. The size of the Chionides 

 varies between the Partridge and the Pigeon. The species of 

 Chionis, Tinochore, and Attagis are included in this family. 



The Chionides are remarkable for their marine habits ; they fre- 

 quent the sea -beach, and feed on sea- weed and animal remains. 

 They are to be found in all southern countries. The Tinockores 

 and the Attagis are natives of Chili and Paraguay : their habits 

 are not known. 



MEGAPODID^;. 



The distinctive features of this family are as follows : the bill 

 straight and slender ; the tarsi long and stout ; the feet tetra- 

 dachylous, and furnished with long and strong claws. This family 

 comprises three genera: the Megapodius, Alecthelia, and Talegallus. 



The Megapodii are but little known. All that has been ascer- 

 tained is, that they inhabit marshy localities, fly but little, and 

 run like Partridges. They lay each of their eggs in a separate 

 hole, and leave them to be hatched by the heat of the sun. The 

 young birds are able to dispense with maternal assistance and to 

 provide for their own wants on leaving the shell. These birds 

 inhabit the isles of the Pacific Ocean. 



