CHAPTER VII 



The Fowl-liice Birds 

 ORDER— GALLIFORMES 



THIS Order includes an enormous number of 

 birds, more or less nearly related to each other. 

 In certain groups, common anatomical char- 

 acters are apparent externally in the form of beak and 

 legs, and in the general shape of wings and body. In 

 all, the upper portion of the beak is curved and com- 

 pletely overlaps the lower; while the legs have strong 

 toes and short, blunt claws, forming admirable dig- 

 ging and scratching tools. As a rule, the Gallina- 

 ceous or Fowl-like birds have legs completely covered 

 with scales and armed with a pair of powerful spurs ; 

 but some have very short legs, feather-clad, and with- 

 out spurs. 



These birds are divided into two great groups — 

 one in which the hind-toe is on a level with the other 

 toes,. and the other in which the hind-toe is at a higher 

 level than the rest. To the former belong the curious 

 Mound-birds, or Megapodes, of Australia, and the 

 equally curious Curassows and Guans of America, all 

 others belonging to the group which has the hind-toe 

 at a higher level than the other toes. In both sections , 



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