138 Birds of Colorado 
when hatched, are covered with down and able to run 
and fly almost at once. 
Key oF THE FAMILIES AND GENERA. 
A. Head completely feathered. 
a. Tarsus bare and not feathered (Odontophoride). 
at Head without a true crest, tail shorter, about 3 of wing. 
Colinus, p. 138 
b1 Head with a full, soft crest ; tail longer, about ¢ of wing. 
Callipepla, p. 141. 
c! Head with an upstanding club-shaped crest, distinct from 
crown-feathers. Lophortyx, p. 142. 
b. Tarsus always more or less feathered (T'etraonide). 
al Tarsus feathered for half its length; with shoulder rufs. 
Bonasa, p. 147. 
bt Tarsus feathered to the bases of the toes at least, but toes 
not completely feathered. 
a? Tail long, about equal to the wing, highly graduated and 
attenuated. Centrocercus, p. 153. 
b® Tail long, about 2 of wing; not attenuated, slightly 
rounded. Dendragapus, p. 145. 
ce? Tail short, less than 3 of wing. 
a? Tailstrongly graduated, middle tail-feathers projecting ; 
no tufts. Pediocztes, p. I5Y. 
b® Tail moderately graduated, middle-tail-feathers not 
projecting ; neck tufts present. Tympanuchus, p. 150. 
c! Tarsus and toes densely feathered throughout. 
Lagopus, p. 148, 
B. Head and neck naked; tarsus not feathered (Meleagride). 
Meleagris, p. 155. 
Family ODONTOPHORIDZ. 
Head fully feathered ; tarsus bare and without a spur ; 
hind toe jointed above the level of the others ; plumage 
never metallic. 
Genus COLINUS. 
Feathers of the crown lengthened and erectile, but hardly forming 
a true crest ; tail of twelve feathers about 2 the length of wing. 
The genus is confined to North America, and goes as far south as 
Yucatan. There are two species only in the United States; the 
