ORDER GAhUNM. 273 



prehends those which have the closest analogy with the gal- 

 linae properly so called, by their habits of remaining con- 

 stantly on the ground, and nestling there, or, at least, on very 

 low branches. Also by their laying a greater number of 

 eggs than the others, and their young ones being able to seek 

 their food immediately on quitting the shell. These species 

 have a slender and flexible bill, and longer legs than the 

 others. 



The second is that of the Pigeons properly so called, 

 which have the bill moderately slender and flexible. The 

 tail is sometimes straight, or rounded at the end ; and some- 

 times greatly graduated, and formed like a cone. These birds 

 nestle on elevated trees, or in the cavities of rocks, difficult of 

 access ; lay two or four eggs, and are very careful of the 

 young for a long time, which are born very weak, and almost 

 naked. The turtles are attached to this section. 



The third is that of Vinago, which are recognised by the 

 grosser and more solid bill, compressed at the sides. Also, 

 by their short tarsi, well bordered. They live on fruits of 

 all kinds, and in deep woods. Their disposition is excessively 

 wild. They nestle on the tops of trees. Their nest is com- 

 posed of small branches; the female deposits in it two eggs, 

 which the male and she hatch together. 



The first species of the first division, the Carunculated 

 Pigeon (C. Carunculata), was made known by Levaillant, 

 in his African Ornithology. It must considerably attract the 

 attention of the naturalist by its marked discrepancies, in 

 manners and habits, from the greater portion of known 

 pigeons. It may be observed, that the division of gallina- 

 ceous pigeons is not based upon characters proper to all the 

 species which compose it ; it is, in fact, only a division under 

 which all those pigeons are united, which, in their external 

 form as well as manners, exhibit some analogy with the 

 different genera of the gallinse. 



VOL. VIII. T 



