DIVISIONS OF BIRDS. 



299 



the Guinea-fowls {Numida), and the Pea-fowl (Paro). 4. The Mecja- 

 podidce, or Mound-builders, comprising only some singular Aus- 

 tralian and Indian birds, which build enormous mounds, in wliich 

 they deposit their eggs. 5. The Cracid(c, or Curassow family, com- 

 prising the large South and Central American birds known as 

 Curassows and Guans. 6. The Pteroclida;, or Sand-grouse, of the 

 Old World, which, in their long and jifiinted wings, make an ap- 

 proach to the Pigeons. 7. Tlie Tinamidce, or Tinanious, of South 

 America, in which the tail is shoit, or may be wholly wanting. 



. 213.— Rasores. Rock-iiigeon (Cohimha livki). 



The Cvlumhacei comprise the Pigeons and Doves, and they are 

 separated from the typical Rasores by being much moi-e fully adapted 

 for flight. They are furnished with strong wings and are good 

 fliers ; and in place of being grouml-birds, their habits are generally 

 to a great extent arboreal, in accordance with wliich the feet are 

 slender, and are adapted for percliing, the great toe being placed on 

 a le%-el with the other toes (fig. 21 i, B). They are also not poly- 

 gamous, and their voice is of a much more gentle, soft, and melan- 

 choly character. (Hence the name of (utiiitmvx a])i)lied to this sec- 

 tion, whilst the Oalliii'irri arc called the ( 'lamatnrcx.) Besides (he true 



