GALLINACEiE. 151 



nostrils perforated in a broad membranous space, and covered with a carti- 

 laginous scale, which even forms a bulge at the base of the bill; the bony 

 sternum is deeply and doubly emarginated, although somewhat differently f 

 the crop extremely dilated, and the lower larynx furnished with but a single 

 proper muscle; but there is no other membrane between the base of their 

 toes than that which results from the continuity of tlie edges. Their tail is 

 composed of twelve quills. They fly well, Hve in a state of monogamy, 

 build on trees or in fissures among rocks, and lay but few eggs at a time, 

 generally two; it is true they lay frequentiy. The male assists his mate in 

 the business of brooding. They nourish their young by disgorging mace- 

 rated grain into their crop. They form but one genus, which naturalists 

 have attempted to di%nde into several subgenera, from the greater or less 

 strength of the bill and the proportions of the feet. 



They are tiie Columbi-Gallines (the Crowned Pigeon of India, almost as 

 large as a Turkey); Columbaproper (Cushat, Stock Dove, Turtle Dove, Ring 

 Dove, &c.); and Vinago, of which latter there are but few species, and all 

 inhabiting the torrid zone of the eastern continent. 



ORDER V. 



GRALLATORI^.— Gralls, Lin. 



The birds of this order derive their name from their habits, and 

 from the conformation which causes them. They are known by the 

 nudity of the lower part of their legs, and most generally by the 

 height of their tarsi; two circumstances which enable them to enter 

 the water to a certain depth without wetting their feathers; to wade 

 through it and seize Fish by means of their neck and bill, the length 

 of which is usually proportioned to that of the legs. Those which 

 are furnished with a strong bill feed on Fish and Reptiles, while such 

 as have a weak one consume Worms and Insects. A very few 

 feed partially on grain, and they alone live at a distance from rivers, 

 &c. The external toe is most commonly united at its base with 

 that of the middle one, by means of a short membrane; sometimes 

 there are two similar membranes, and at others they are entirely 

 wanting and the toes are completely separated; it sometimes also 

 happens, though rarely, that they are bordered all along, or palma- 

 ted to the very end; in fine, the thumb is deficient in several genera; 

 circumstances, all of which have an influence on their mode of life, 

 which is more or less aquatic. Almost all these birds, the Ostriches 



