154 CLASS AVES. 



which each tarsus is armed. The claws are very long, and 

 not much arched, and that of the middle toe is seven lines in 

 length. 



The lophophorus is of a stouter size than the pheasant, and 

 more robust. Its length, from the end of the bill to the ex- 

 tremity of the tail, is two feet. 



This bird may parallel even with the peacock in beauty. 

 Like it, it bears an elegant diadem on its head, which is grace- 

 fully agitated at the slightest motion. Its plumage, resplen- 

 dent with the brightest colours, produces a truly admirable 

 effect. The female is smaller than the male ; her form is less 

 elegant, and brown is the predominating colour of her 

 plumage. Her feet are like those of the male, but a callous 

 tubercle is the only vestige of spur which she carries. 



The lophophorus inhabits the north of India, and delights 

 in lofty mountains, and solitary wilds. As an object of 

 curiosity, it is brought to Calcutta. Its disposition is natu- 

 rally fierce and wild, yet far from being vmsusceptible of 

 the influence of domestication. Lady Impey attempted to 

 bring some of these birds into England, but they perished in 

 the voyage. The lophophorus can support cold, but prefers 

 warmth. The male does not crow like the common cock, but 

 his voice resembles that of the pheasant, though more 

 sonorous. 



It was with regret that Buffon preserved the denomination 

 of Meleagris for the Turkey. This name is only calculated 

 to lead into error, and modern nomenclators should not have 

 followed the erroneous opinion of Aldrovandus, who was 

 desirous of proving that the turkies are the true meleagrides 

 of the ancients. In endeavouring to defend the wrong appli- 

 cation of this specific name, that author cites the plumage, 

 covered with round spots, a character which in fact apper- 

 tains exclusively to the pintado. It is, indeed, clearly proved, 

 at present, that these Numidian, or African fowls, the melea- 



