368 



BEITISH BIRDS. 



genera ; they also have a " spur " on the metatarsus. The food ■ 

 of the scratching birds consists of grain, seeds, and insects, &c. 



They are thus provided with 

 a strong muscular gizzard for 

 grinding the hard food. Most 

 Easores build on the ground, 

 the female or hen bird gen- 

 erally only taking part in the 

 incubation. The young are 

 precocious, and can feed almost 

 as soon as they have escaped 

 from the eggshell. With the 

 exception of the partridges and 

 grouse the flight is very weak, 

 — even the two mentioned can- 

 not fly for any length of time. 

 There is usually a fleshy comb 

 or crest of feathers, and often 

 naked and brilliantly coloured 

 patches, on the small head. "We never find, as in the Doves, 

 a " cere " at the base of the bill. 



The two families of the Gallinse are the Phasianidce and 

 TetraonidoB. 



The Tetraonidm include the Grouse, Blackcock, and Capeiv 

 caillie (Tetrad), and the Partridges (Perdix and Caccabis). 



The Phasianidm or Pheasant group include the QuaU, Cotw- 

 nix communis ; the Fowls, Gallinoe ; the Turkeys and Guinea- 

 fowls, Meleagrinm ; and the Pea-fowls, Pavonince. 



The two partridges are the Common or Ghey Partridge {Perdix 

 cinered) and the Bed-legged or Frenchman (Caccabis rufa). 



The grey partridge is widely distributed over Great Britain, 

 but is especially abundant in the eastern counties. It is said 

 to be decreasing there, owing to the increase of the red-legged 

 partridge ; but this can scarcely be the case, for the two flourish 

 side by side, and do not interfere with one another. In Ireland 



Fio. 189.— Foot of Gallinaceous Bird. 



