BIRDS OF KANSAS. 219 



Order GALLING. 



GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



" Bill generally short, stout, convex, with an obtuse vaulted tip, corneous ex- 

 cept in the nasal fossa, and without restriction in its continuity. Nostrils scaled, 

 or feathered. Tomia of upper mandible overlapping. Frontal feathers forming 

 re-entrant out 1 ' , at the base of upper mandible. Legs usually feathered to the 

 tarsus or beyond. Hallux elevated, with a few exceptions ( e. g., Cracidaz and 

 Megapodidce) smaller than the anterior toes, occasionally wanting ( as in the Hemi- 

 pods).. Tarsus (when not feathered) generally broadly scutellate. Front toes 

 commonly webbed at base. Claws blunt, little curved. Wings strong, short, and 

 concavo-convex. I.etices commonly more than twelve. Head small. Plumage 

 usually after shafted. Carotids double, except Turnicidos. and Megapodida?. No 

 intrinsic syringeal muscles. Sternum very deeply, generally doubly notched. Pal- 

 ate schizognathous. Chiefly polygamous. Praecocial and ptilopsedic." 



Suborder PHASIANL Pheasants, Grouse, Par- 

 triges, Quails, etc. 

 Hind toe small, short (much less than half as long as lateral toes), and inserted 

 above the level of the anterior toes. {Bidgway.) 



Family TETRAONIDiE. Grouse, Partridges, etc. 

 Tarsi without spurs ; head entirely feathered ( except sometimes over eyes ) 

 and tail not vaulted. {Bidgway.) 



Subfamily PERDICIN^E. Pari ridges. 

 Tarsi and nasal fossae entirely naked ; sides of toes not pectinated; smaller 

 (Wing less than 6.00). {Bidgway.) 



Genus OOLINUS Lesson. 

 " Bill stout ; bead not conspicuously crested ; tail short, scarcely more than 

 half the wing, composed of moderately soft feathers ; wings normal ; legs devel- 

 oped, the toes reaching considerably beyond the tip of the tail ; the lateral toes 

 short, equal, their claws falling decidedly short of the base of the middle claw." 



Oolinius virginanus (Linn.). 

 BOB-WHITE. 



PLATE XIII. 



Resident ; abundant from the eastern to tliemiddle portion of 

 the State, moving westward and increasing with its settlement. 

 Begin laying the last of April. 



