GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 23 



time to time, so that by the time they are fully grown they have 

 had three, four, or even five sets of quills. 



Number about 300 species ; cosmopolitan, with the exception 

 of the Australian region. 



The Phasianidae is divisible into seven fairly well-defined 

 subfamilies, viz. : the Tetraoninse or Grouse j the Perdicinse or 

 Old World Partridges ; the Odontophorinae or New World 

 Partridges ; the Numidinse or Guinea Fowls ; the Pavoninje or 

 Peacocks and allied forms ; the Phasianinse or Pheasants and 

 allied forms ; and the Meleagrinse or Turkeys. Three of these 

 subfamilies are represented in the British Islands. 



Subfamily TETRAONINJE. 

 Genus LAGOPUS or MOOR GROUSE. 



Type LAGOPUS ALBUS. 



Lagopus of Brisson (1760). — The birds comprising the 

 present genus are characterised by their feathered tarsi and toes. 

 The wings are remarkably rounded and short ; the tail is com- 

 posed of sixteen feathers, generally nearly even. The bill is 

 very short ; nostrils basal, shielded by an arched membrane, and 

 almost concealed by feathers. Space above the eye naked. 

 Three toes in front, one behind very short, and only just reaching 

 the ground ; spurs absent. 



This genus is composed of about half-a-dozen species, which 

 are confined to the Northern Hemisphere, being inhabitants of 

 the Palsearctic and Nearctic regions. Two species are resident in 

 the British Islands. 



The Moor Grouse are dwellers on moors, tundras, and moun- 

 tains. They are birds of rapid flight, which, however, is seldom 

 long sustained, and on the ground they progress by running and 

 walking. Their notes are loud and unmusical. They subsist 

 chiefly on fruits, berries, seeds, grains, shoots of herbage, and 

 insects. Their nests are rudely made, placed on the ground, 

 and their eggs are numerous and single-spotted. These birds 

 pair annually. Their flesh is highly esteemed for the table. 



