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BULLETIN 50. UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



In addition to the characters given for the fartlily Numididae, which are 

 mainly taken from this genus, the following apply exclusively to the genus 

 Numida : Head and upper foreneck entirely nude, except for fine bristles 

 on upper eyelid and, sometimes, a tuft of bristlelike feathers at base of 

 bill; hindneck with narrow, rather rigid, somewhat hairlike feathers; 



Figure 26. — Numida meleagris. 



occiput or posterior part of crown with a compressed, or sometimes cyl- 

 indrical, bony protuberance or casque, usually inclined backward and with 

 rounded extremity; a pendant thin wattle immediately behind rictus; 

 tarsus without spurs ; rectrices 14. 



Plumage and coloration. — ^Plumage in general compact, smooth, and 

 blended. General color blackish dotted with white, the outer webs of 

 secondaries obliquely barred with white; bare skin of head and neck 



