268 CLASS AVES. 



often emarginated at the extremity, and in their size. Like 

 the quails, they are migratory birds, and all the species 

 belong to America. There is nothing very novel or interesting 

 in their habits. The Odontophorz/s, or Guiaiia Partridge^ 

 of which the opposite original figure is given, is separated 

 generically from the colins by M. Vieillot, from some pecu- 

 liarities in the bill. It is called Tocro by the natives of 

 Guiana, which word is expressive of its cry. In habits it 

 resembles the partridges, but perches on the low branches of 

 trees, more, as it would appear, through necessity than 

 choice, for the purpose of avoiding the serpents and ferocious 

 quadrupeds with which the country is infested. 



The birds, of the division Turnix are pigmies among the 

 gallinae. The volume of their body is not as considerable as 

 that of the thrush. They are polygamous, and live in sterile 

 countries among herbage, and on the confines of deserts. 

 They run much faster than they fly, and even with an asto- 

 nishing degree of rapidity. They thus escape their pur- 

 suers ; and by concealing themselves in tufts of grass. It is • 

 more easy, however to seize them, when their retreat is dis- 

 covered, than to make them take to flight. The young and 

 old live solitary, never uniting in bands. 



Their manners are very little known. Their food appears 

 chiefly to consist of insects. 



This genus is spread through Africa, and the warmest parts 

 of India and New Holland. Two species inhabit the most 

 southern provinces of Spain. The Javan species, as is men- 

 tioned in the text, is made to fight after the fashion of our 

 cocks, and very large sums are staked on this humane 

 amusement. 



The genus Syrehaptes, composed of but one species, 

 the Heteroclite Grous, has chosen for its dwelling-place those 

 countries least frequented by man. In the arid plains of 

 Austral Tartary, towards the lake Baikal, Professor Pallas 



