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, the robust 
tinamu (Tinamus robustus) and the solitary tinamu (7. solitarius), of Brazil, are 
representatives of the typical genus. The banded tinamu (Crypturus noctivagus), 
of Brazil, is a well-known member of the largest genus of the family which contains 
some sixteen species; while the martineta, or great tinamu (hynchotus 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 maculata), and the allied Darwin’s tinamu (NV. darwinz), both-of 


































































































































































































GREAT TINAMU, OR MARTINETA (1 nat. 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 pentlandt), the representative 
of the second three-toed genus, lacks the upright crest. 
To ordinary observers, the tinamus, both as regards general 
Habits. : : . : 
appearance and habits, would be considered as game-birds, of which, 
