552 



TINAMUS. 



distinctive characters of the various genera ; although it may be mentioned that 

 the family may be divided into two sections, according to the presence or absence of 

 a distinct first toe. Of the seven genera with a well-developed first toe, tlie robust 

 tinamu (Thiartuts robiistiis) and the solitary tinamu (T. solitarius), of Brazil, are 

 representatives of the typical genus. The banded tinamu {Crypturus noctivagus), 

 of Brazil, is a well-knowm member of the largest genus of the family which contains 

 some sixteen species; while the martineta, or great tinamu {Rhynchotas rufescens), 

 of Brazil and Argentina, is one of two congeneric species, which may be compared in 

 size to a pheasant Its eggs are of a wine-red colour. On the other hand, the spotted 

 tinamu {Nothura Tnaculata), and the allied Darwin's tinamu (X. darwini), both of 



GREAT TINAMU, OR MARTINETA (J Iiat. size). 



which are inhabitants of the Argentine pampas, are more nearly the dimensions of 

 a small partridge ; their eggs being either purple-red or liver-colour. The two 

 genera in which the first toe is rudimentary are each represented by a single 

 species, of which by far the handsomest is the crested tinamu (Calodromas 

 elegans), of Patagonia, in which both the upper and lower plumage is elegantly 

 mottled, and the head adorned with an upright crest. This species, which is of 

 the size of an English pheasant, lays from ten to a dozen blue-green eggs as large . 

 as those of a fowl. Pentland's tinamu (Tinamotis 2'>Gntlandi), the representative 

 of the second three-toed genus, lacks the upright crest. 



To ordipary observers, the tinamus, both as regards general 

 appearance and habits, would be considered as game-birds, of which. 



Habits. 



