GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 259 



the parent bird. In the Fish River Valley they roost upon the willow-branches that project over the 

 large holes of water, out of the reach of wild cats. The Fhasidus niger and Agelastus mcleagrides, two 

 very similar species, are natives of Western Africa. 



According to M. du Chaillu, the Fhasidus niger was met with by him from fifty to one hundred 

 miles in the interior, reckoning from Cape Lopez, and was unknown to the inhabitants of the Cape. 

 He obtained but a single specimen. 



THE TUFT-BEAKED PINTADO. 



The Tuft-beaked Pintado {Nui?iida ptilorhyncha), a very similar species, has the stiff feathers 

 that encircle the throat of a velvety black, whilst those of the body are dark brownish grey, dotted 

 with white. These markings become more perceptible on the upper wing-covers, and take an oval 

 form on the outer web of the shoulder-feathers ; the under side has a blueish grey lustre ; the breast, ' 

 sides, and lower tail-covers are decorated with large round spots. The brownish grey quills are more 

 or less distinctly margined with light grey or whitish edges ; the lower secondaries have a light 

 blueish grey border, tinted with two shades of brownish grey, and, like the tail-feathers, are very 

 distinctly spotted. The eye is brown and the cheek light blue, as are the large broad lappets ; the 

 throat is flesh-red, the bare crown of the head greyish yellow, and the tuft of bristle-like hairs at the 

 base of the upper mandible, from which these birds derive their name, light yellow ; the bill is reddish 

 at its base and grey at its tip ; the foot dark greyish brown. 



This species is a native of Abyssinia and Nubia, where it frequents valleys bordered with thickets, 

 and renders itself remarkable by its extremely harsh voice. It seldom flies, and tlren only for a short 

 distance to escape from danger. The flesh is exceedingly savoury. 



The TURKEYS {Mcleagrides) are large but comparatively slender birds, with long legs and 

 short wings and tail ; the moderate-sized head and neck are unfeathered and covered with warts ; the 

 short, strong beak, from which depends a fleshy wattle, has the upper mandible curved and vaulted. 

 The high foot is furnished with long toes, the rounded wing has its third quill longer than the rest: 

 and the tail, composed of eighteen broad, upright feathers, is also slightly rounded at its extremit)'. 

 The thick heavy plumage is unusually glossy. One remarkable characteristic of these birds is the 

 bristle-like structure of some of the breast-feathers, some of which are much longer than those of the 

 rest of the body. The members of this group inhabit the forests, prairies, and open tracts of North 

 America ; the males wandering about the country in small parties of from ten to one hundred, and 

 seeking their food apart from the females, who are occupied in feeding their young. Turkeys are 

 found in a wild state from Canada to Panama, and so far from being improved by the care of man, 

 have remarkably degenerated in a state of domesticity. When wild they often weigh from twenty 

 to sixty pounds, and when standing upright, measure at least three feet in height. Formerly 

 these birds were common in Canada and the central parts of the United States, but they have 

 gradually fallen back before the advance of civilisation, although they only seem to yield their country 

 inch by inch to the husbandman. 



THE PUTER, OR WILD TURKEY. 

 The PuTER, or Wild Turkey {Mdcagris ga/iof'avo), is of a brownish yellow on the upper parts 

 of the body, which gleam with a beautiful metallic lustre, each feather having a broad resplendent 

 black edge. The hinder portions of the back-feathers and tail-covers are dark jeddish brown, striped 

 green and black; the yellowish brown breast is darkest at its sides; the belly and legs are brownish 

 grey, and the feathers on the rump pale black, faintly edged with a darker shade. The quills are 



