400 GALLINACEOUS BILLS. 



tapering spikes (a kind of very stiff spur), which thej' use both 

 for attack and defence. A great manj^ of this class have their 

 heads adorned with crests and combs of various colours. These 

 appendages exist occasionally in the females, but with much less 

 development. 



Birds of the most brilliant plumage are to be found among the 

 Gallinaceous tribe. The Peacock {Pavo), the Argus, the Lopho- 

 phore, and the Pheasant may be said to bear the banner of their 

 order with no mean degree of splendour, and may worthily 

 stand in compaiison with the most sjjlendid of the Passerines. This 

 richness of colour is the characteristic of the male bird, for the 

 females are usually of a dull grej-ish hue. But if the Gallinacese 

 captivate the sight, thej' are far from affording pleasure to the 

 ear, their cries being shrill and discordant. 



Cruel, tyrannical, and quarrelsome are the characteristics of the 

 majorit}' of this race. The}' are polygamous, and the females 

 lay a large number of eggs, which thej' sit upon, unassisted by 

 the male. They are generally divided into flocks, consisting of 

 one male, se^■eral females, and a number of young birds ; but it is 

 rarely that several families unite to live in common. 



The Gallinacefc are of all birds the most useful to man. Certain 

 domesticated kinds stock his poultry-yard, and supply him with 

 eggs of an exquisite flavour ; nor does their utility cease here — their 

 flesh is a popular, wholesome, and delicate food. Those known 

 as " game birds " are also abundant, and offer amusement to the 

 .sportsman and table delicacies for the hon vicant. 



Nearly all the Gallinacese were originally natives of the warm 

 regions of Asia and America ; now, such as the Domestic Fowl, 

 the Pheasant, and the Turkey are perfectly acclimated to all 

 temperate parts of the globe. 



The order of the Gallinaccfc may be divided into two great sub- 

 orders, namely, the Gallinacece proper, to which the characteristics 

 we have just enumerated .specially belong ; and the Cohirnljula, 

 which differ from them in certain details of organisation and 

 habits, to be described hereafter. 



