152 CLASS AVES. 



It appears to us, we must confess, that the objections of 

 M. Dumont to this generic separation have some weight. 

 Other birds, as well as this, have several spurs to each foot ; 

 as, for example, the red partridge of Madagascar. Besides, 

 if this corneous production of spurs may be considered as a 

 proper ground of generic distinction, supposing it to be ex- 

 clusively attributable to certain species of a particular family, 

 shall the number of the spurs, especially when it is not in- 

 variable, be considered equally so ? Neither do the simple 

 modifications in the form of the rectrices, and their usage, 

 appear to form a more solid basis for the establishment of a 

 genus, even united with the foregoing character. And, after 

 all, can it be considered, as exactly legitimate or philosophi- 

 cal, to seek, in very secondary parts, for those characteristic 

 marks of genus, which naturalists in general have agreed to 

 derive from essential organs only, such as those of mandu- 

 cation and locomotion. That our illustrious author sub- 

 scribes to these opinions, is evident from his having left the 

 pavo bicalcaratus where it is in the text. On the exact pro- 

 priety of that allocation we shall enter into no controversy, 

 leaving it to be determined by more able pens ; but of the 

 right of the bird in question to become the type of a separate 

 eenus, we own ourselves to be more than dubious. 



This bird is about one-third as large as the common phea- 

 sant, and the female does not differ from the male but by a 

 less brilliant plumage, and a shorter tail. 



The character of the bicalcaratus, or chinquis, is by no 

 means wild ; it soon becomes accustomed to domestication, 

 and may be easily brought to propagate in our climates. 



M. Temminck informs us, that no nation has taken so 

 much pains in rearing the animals of warm climates, as his 

 own countrymen. Formerly, he says, there were a greater 

 number of menageries in Holland, than in England and 

 France put together. He has seen the birds, on which we 

 are writing, in considerable abundance in the aviaries of his 



