274 BLBMBNTS OE OBNITHOLOGT. 



eighth family is the Ballidce, so called from the Bails ^, the Weka 

 Eail, Coots ^, Moor-hens, and birds of the genus N'otornis', 

 which enter into it. 



The last family contains but a single genus, that of the 

 Trumpeter *. Hence it is termed Psophudce. 



The eleventh order, Odlliformes, contains nearly 320 species 

 in two extremely unequal suborders — namely, 1. Dysodm and 

 2. GallinoB. 



Their characters may be expressed as follows : — 



Order XI. GALUFOEMES. 



Toung born covered with down or feathers ; maxUlo-palatines 

 not united across the middle Kne ; hallux rather or very larg 

 and supplied from flexor halluds ; nasals holorhinal ; oil-gland 

 generally present, tufted, save in the Megapodes; sternum 

 either perforated to receive the cqracoids or else with, a quite 

 rudimentary keel ; sternum vdtb two notches on either side of 

 its posterior margin; basipterygoid processes almost always 

 present and articulating with the pterygoids as near the pala- 

 tines as possible. 



Suborder 1. Dysodm. 

 Keel of sternum rudimentary; episternal processes perfo- 

 rated ; hallux very large ; oil-gland tufted ; basipterygoid pro- 

 cesses absent in the adult condition. 



Suborder. 2. Gallmce. 

 Keel of sternum well developed ; sternum often perforated 

 to receive processes from coracoids ; hallux moderate ; oil-gland 

 sometimes nude, sometimes absent, sometimes tufted. 



There are five families in this order, of which only one belongs 

 to the first suborder. 



This first family, Opisthocomidoe, contains only the Hoatzin '. 



' P. 17. ^ P. 18. ■> p. 63. 



* P. 45. » P. 94. 



