272 COLUMBIDiE. 



Order III.— RASORES. Illiger. 



Rostrum mediocre, dertro fornicato, basi stepius cerigerum, cul- 

 mhie plernmque convexo, rarius gibbo-carinato ; ant magnum, 

 medio transversim impressum et rugosum : nares vel membrand 

 vel squamajbrnicati supcrne semitectce : pedes gradarii, tetra- 

 dactyli aut tridactyli: ungues mediocres aiit breves, plerumque 

 modice curvati, obtusiuscuU. 



Beak moderate, dertrum arched; often furnished with a cere at 

 its base, the culmen generally convex, rarely gibbous-carinated; 

 or beak large, M'ith a transverse impression, and rugose in the 

 middle : nostrils above partly clothed with a membrane or aii 

 arched scale : legs formed for walking, with four or three 

 toes : claws moderate or short, mostly slightly curved, rather 

 obtuse. 



The Rasores are thus divided by Mr. Vigors. 



Hind-toes short, elevated; tarsi"! f Phasianid^,, Vigors, 

 generally armed with spurs : J \Tetraonid.e, Leach, 



Hind-toe wanting, or more or "^ ( Struthionid.e, Vigors, 

 less resting on the ground; > x Cracid^, Vigors. 



tarsi without spurs: ...» ( Columbid^, Leach. 



FAMILY I.— COLUMBID.^. 



Rostrum mediocre, compressiim , basi memhrand molli et tumida 

 instrucium , in qua nares sitee sunt, nd ap'icem plus minusve 

 arcuatum: -[tQ^e?, simplices, tetradactyli, fissi; \.bx%\ reticnlati: 

 Cauda plerumque rectricibus duodecim. 



Beak moderate, compressed, furnished at the base with a tumid 

 and soft membrane, in which the nostrils are i)laced, and more 

 or less bent at the tip : legs simple, four-toed, cleft : the tarsi 

 reticulated : tail generally with twelve feathers. 



The Columbid^e are monogamous ; they build their 

 nests on trees, or in the holes of rocks, and generally 



