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RASORES. GAME BIRDS (Generally). 

 Scratchers. Type, Domestic Fowl. 



Gallinaceous (or Game) Birds, of which the Domestic Fowl may be taken as 

 a type, are termed Easores (Rado, ere, rasi, rasum, to scratch up), from their 

 habit of scratching in the ground for grain, seeds, roots, and insects as food. 

 They do not wash in water, but flutter in the dust, and almost all nestle on the 

 ground. Many are polygamous, and in these the male bird is the larger and 

 adorned with a much richer plumage. The female is prolific j the young are 

 born covered with down (in Megapodes, fully feathered), and run as soon as 

 hatched. 



This order is remarkable in comprising so many species capable of domestication, 

 in having the tarsal spur (considered as representing the thumb) ; in the presence 

 {in most of the groups) of the accessory plume to the clothing feathers ; and in 

 the bastard secondary feather of the wing. Owing to the simple construction of 

 the windpipe and muscles, they cannot modulate the voice. 



Game Birds evince many interesting analogies with ruminating animals among 

 Mammals. The crop may be said to represent the paunch, and the cseca of both 

 ■are large. They both have a low degree of intelligence, are easily domesticated, 

 and are more prone to variation than most other tribes. The head, too, is, in 

 many of both orders, adorned with appendages — horns and crests — and they 

 afford more wholesome food to man than any other orders. 



Game Birds are found over the greater part of the world, but the finest groups 

 and greatest variety of form are from Asia. 



Bill strong, short, arched. "Wings usually short and rounded. Legs very stout. 

 J"bbt formed for walking. 



This division herein includes — 



1. The Tinamous. 



2. The Sand-Grouse. 



3. The true Game Birds, grouped under — 



(i.) Aleetoropodes, with hind toe raised (Grouse, Turkeys, Guinea-Fowls, 

 Pea-Fowls, Pheasants, Jungle- and Spur-Fowls, Partridges, and 

 Quails). 



(ii.) Peristeropodes, with hind toe on same plane as others (Curassows, 

 Penelopes, Guans, Hoatzins, Brush-Turkeys, and Megapodes). 



4. The Hemipodes. The Bustard and Button Quails (no hind toe). 



