198 GALLIFORMES 



f/oudoti, of the same countries and Peru, is bronzy-brown with 

 greyish head and rufous under parts ; the Costa Eican and Vera- 

 guan C. unicolor being nearly uniform greenish-black. In both 

 these genera the orbits are more or less naked. 



Sub-fam. 3. Oreophasinae. — Oreophasis derUanus, the splendid 

 " Faisan " of the Volcan de Fuego in Guatemala, is greenish-black 

 with dense velvety plumage extending from the forehead to the 

 nostrils ; the white lower parts become brownish at the sides and 

 vent, and shew dark streaks; a white band crosses the tail; and a 

 red cellular casque covered with hair-like feathers surmounts the 

 head. The bill is pale yellow, the feet are vermilion. 



Fam. VI. Phasianidae. — Of really distinct Sub-families this 

 group may be said to possess three, (1) the Numidinae, or Guinea- 

 fowls, (2) the Meleagrinae, or Turkeys, and (3) the Phasianinae, or 

 Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse ; it is, however, customary to 

 class the Grouse apart as Tetraoninae, though a difficulty at 

 once arises in drawing the line of demarcation. For example, 

 Huxley ■^ considered Gaccahis, Francolinus and Coturnix Galline, 

 i.e. Phasianine ; Dr. Gadow ^ makes them Tetraonine ; while Mr. 

 Ogilvie Grant ^ agrees with the former, but does not make these 

 genera the link between the sections. Mr. Grant's view may be 

 conveniently followed, but the division is in any case arbitrary. 

 As a matter of further convenience a Partridge group (Perdi- 

 cinae) may be formed, and the "American Partridges " may stand 

 apart as Odontophorinae. 



Passing mention should be made of the economical importance 

 of this Family as a factor in our food-supply, whether in the wild 

 state as game, or in the domesticated as poultry ; for almost 

 inconceivable numbers of birds are bred, exported, or used for eating 

 in their native countries, while the value of domestic fowls' eggs 

 can best be estimated by imagining the consequence of a failure in 

 the production. Man's custom herein is no doubt guided by the 

 ease with which most of the species are secured or reared, and by the 

 great development of the pectoral muscles or " flesh of the breast." 



The body is decidedly heavy, the head usually rather small, 

 and the neck fairly long. The bill is comparatively short and stout 

 — especially in Ithagenea, Dendrortyx, and elsewhere — but may 

 be more elongated, as in Lophophorus and Euplocamus ; the maxilla 



1 P.Z.S. 1868, p. 301. 2 Bronn's Thier-Eeich, Aves, Syst. Theil. 1893, p. 172. 



3 Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxii. 1893. 



