GALLIN.E. '^^'j 



first quill longest, and fliglit extraordinarily swift ; sternal crest more developed tlian in any other bird 

 whatever, the inner emargination of the sternum almost obliteraled : furcula singularly short and wide, 

 without any appenddage : tlie alimentary passage resembles that of other Poultry, having cojca as 

 much developed as in a Paiti-idge. The feathers are moulted twice a yeai', and rescndjle those of the 

 Bustards, botli sexes being alilie in winter, and the male acquiring a peculiar garb in summer. They 

 lay few eggs, and tlie young do not follow tlieir parents for some time, hut are fed by tiiem in the 

 nest. They inhalnt the arid deserts of Africa and Arabia, and are peculiar to the eastern hemisphere.] 



One (7'. alchata, Lin.), nihabits the south of E'rance and borders of tlic Mediterranean. [Another (T. arenarius, 

 Pallas) occurs in Spain, and a third (P^ caspkus, Menetr.) is found in south-eastern Europe. There are 

 many mure. 



Closely allied to the Gangas, we deem 



The Tetraogallus, llardwiche, — 

 A. large species from the mountains of the north of India, with shorter wings and comparatively 

 stout bill. The tarsi are armed with spurs, and the first five quills are nearly equal. 

 It IS the T. nigcfli. Gray]. 



The PARTRroGES {PerdiXj Brisson), — 



Have the tarsi naked as well as the toes. Among them 



The Francolins {Francolimts, Tem.) — 

 Are distinguished by their longer and stouter beak, more developed tail, and generally by their stout spurs. 



There is one in southern Europe (7*. francotinus, Lin.), with red feet ; the neck and belly of the male black, with 

 round white spots, and a vivid rufous collar. 



Some of the foreign species are remarkable either for possessing double spurs, or a naked skin on the tliroat, or 

 they combine these two characters : others, again, have a particularly large beak, and are without spurs. 



The Restricted Partridges — 

 Have the beak not quite so stout : the males have short spm's, or simple tubercles, wdiich are wanting 

 in the females. 



Every cue is acquainted with 



The Grey Partridge (T. cinereus, Lin.), that prolific species of game, which lives and propagates in our fields, 

 and is so highly esteemed for the table. 



The Red Paitridge (T. rufiis, Lin.) [and five or six others with the same general character of plumage, form a 

 natural group, the first dress of which is analogous to that of the preceding. All are peculiar to tbe eastern 



hendsphere.] 



The Quails {Coturnij.', Tcm.) — 



Are smaller than the Partridges; with a more slender beak and shorter tail : they have neither spiu-s 



nor red eyebrow, [and have louger wings. All are peculiar to the eastern hemisphere, where they are 



generally diffused]. 



The Common Quail (T. cotuniix, Lin.), a small European bird, celebrated for its migrations across the Jleid. 

 terranean. [There are many others.] 



The Colins {Ortyx, Stephens), — 

 Or Partridges and Quails of America, have a shorter and stouter beak, more convex above : their taij 

 is somewhat larger. They perch on branches, and, wdieu disturbed, even on trees.* Several species 

 migrate like our Quails. 



[Some have remarkable recurved topknots, m one n/ extraordinary length]. 



We are obUged to separate from the wdiole genus of Grouse 



The Orttgans {Hemipodius, Tern.), — 



Which have no thumb, and the compressed beak of which fonns a shght projection under the lower 



mandible. They cannot, however, be properly classed until their anatomy is known. The species are 



polvgainous, and inhabit sandy regions. 



Some of them. 



The Ortygans {Orti/gk, llliger), — 



Have the general aspect of Quails, with toes separated to their very base, having no small membrane. 



[The chief peculiarity of their anatomy consists in the absence of a craw.] 



The natives of Java train one species for fighting (the 11. jmgnax), as Game-Cocks are trained in England. 



• The Red Partridges will sometimes d,j this.— Ed. 



