CHAPTER II. 



THE GAME-BIRDS AND RAILS. 



IT is not easy in a few words exactly to define a "game-bird." Anatomical details aside, 

 the most characteristic featm-es are tlie small head and moderately long neck, and a 

 compact body, in which the wings, when folded, are almost entirely concealed. The hind 

 toe is always present, and the claws are ada[)ted for scratching purposes — that is to say, for 

 scratching up the surface of the ground in the search for seeds as food. The wings are 

 hollowed so as to fit close to the body, and the flight, which is noisy and never long- 

 sustained, is nevertheless often exceedingly rapid. The young are hatched covered with down, 

 and able to run in a few hours after birth. 



Fkoto 111/ C. Had] 



[Whhair, N.B. 



KED GROUSE. 

 Ttiis is one of the species in which tlie toes are featliered. 



GrROUSE AND PTARMIGAN. 



The birds of this group are distinguished by the feathery covering which clothes the feet. 

 In some grouse, however, the toes are bare. This causes them to resemble the Pheasant group, 

 from which they may be distinguished by the fact that the toes are fringed with horny processes 

 forminw a sort of comb. 



397 



