54 



CRYPTUEI.— TINAMID^. 



Order ORYPTURI. 



A very isolated group of birds, having tho vomer broad behind (DroniaognathcB). In certain 

 characters (especially in the construction of the skull) they approach the EatitcE, but their 

 general structure places them among the Carinatos. Peculiar to the Neotropical region, 



[ { TiNAMUS . 



j nothocercus 

 ( Crtptukus 

 Hind toe raised { c Rhtnchotus 



INOTHOPKOCTA . . K TiNAMOUS/ 



( NOTHUKA 



\ \ Taonisous 



{Calopezus 

 TiNAMOTIS 



' No hind toe 



Family TINAMID^. Tinamous. 



A single family, in external appearance and habits resembling Partridges. They inhabit 

 cither open plains, forests, or rocky mountains, but are always found on the ground, and fly 

 badly. Their eggs are highly polished and uniformly coloured, the colour varying with the 

 particular species. As in the Satitce, the male bird appears generally to perform the duty of 

 incubation. 



Tinamous have a small head and slender neck, clothed with very short feathers. Upper 

 mandible of the bill is covered at base with a cere which also envelops the nasal grooves. 

 The general plumage is inconspicuous, ranging from rufous to slaty, often more or less closely 

 barred. In size they vary from that of a quail to that of a fowl, or from 6" to 21" in length. 

 Wing short and rounded. Fifth secondary present. Ten primaries. Tail short, pendant^ 

 and generally hidden by the upper tail-coverts. Tarsus shielded or reticulated. Powder-down 

 patches present, and these in some have after-shafts. Oil-gland tufted. Young are hatched 

 covered with down, and resemble those of some of the Eatitce. 



The existing sixty-five known species are all inhabitants of the Neotropical region, being 

 widely distributed throughout S. America, and as far N. as Central Mexico. The presence or 

 absence of a small and elevated hind toe has given rise to a division into two subfamilies, viz. — 



Tinaminm (with hind toe raised), containing the large majority of the group ; and 



Tinamotidince (without hind toe), containing only three species. ' 



Subfamily TiNAMiNiE. 



With hind toe raised. Seven genera (sixty-two species), distinguished as under with — 

 (i. ) Ten tail-fmfkers, hidden iy the upper tail-coverts. 



The genus Tinarmis, with tarsus rough behind, toes short, ten species, varying from 15"-21",. 

 and ranging from Mexico to Peru and Paraguay. 



The genus Nothoeercus, with toes, especially the middle one, long. Five species, varying from 

 12"-16i"- C. and N. of S. America. 



The genus Crypturtis, with tarsus smooth behind. Twenty-nine species, varying from 9"-13".. 

 N. Mexico to Peru and Argentina. 



Not represented in India. 



