DIVISIONS OF BIKDS. 



299 



the Guinea-fowls {Numida), and the Pea-fowl {Pavo). 4. The Mega- 

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

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

 they deposit their eggs. 5. The Craciilm, or Curassow family, com- 

 prising the large South and Central American birds known as 

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

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

 proach to the Pigeons. 7. The Tinamidce, or Tinamous, of South 

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



Fig. 213.— Rasores. Rock pigeon (Coluviba livia). 



The Columhacei comprise the Pigeons and Doves, and they are 

 separated from the typical Rasores by being much more fully adapted 

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

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

 to a great extent arboreal, in accordance with which tlie feet are 

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

 it level with the other toes (fig. 212, 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 Gemitores applied to this sec- 

 tion, whilst the Gallinacei are called the Claniatores.) Besides the true 



