18 GAME BIRDS OF INDIA, 



Fam. PHASIANID2E. 



Bill moderate, strong, vaulted, the tip of the upper mandible 

 produced over that of the lower, sides more or less compressed ; 

 nostrils apart ; wings moderate or short, rounded ; tail (typically) 

 lengthened and broad, of from twelve to eighteen feathers ; tarsus 

 moderate or long, usually spurred in the males ; toes long, anterior 

 ones united by a short membrane at the base ; the hind 

 toe raised, short, sometimes resting on the ground by its 

 point. 



This family, as here restricted, comprises the Pea-fowls, 

 Pheasants, Jungle-fowl, and Spur-fowl, all of which are peculiar 

 to Asia, and more especially to India, including Burmah and 

 Malayana. Some include in this family the Turkeys of America, 

 but I prefer placing them as a distinct, it may be a subordinate 

 group. As distinguished from the next family, Tetraonidce, they 

 are characterized by a generally more lengthened bill, the nostrils 

 always apart, the face more nude, the head often furnished with 

 variously formed crests of feathers, or of nude skin, or with 

 lappets and wattles, in some cases of erectile tissue, the tail 

 typically is longer, and more commonly raised ; and the tarsus 

 perhaps more generally lengthened, and furnished with spurs. 

 In their habits they more habitually frequent forests, jungles, 

 and thick covert ; whilst the Tetraonidce more affect open grass 

 ground, fields, and sometimes low jungle. Most of the Pheasants, 

 too, perch freely on trees, and roost habitually thereon, 

 this habit being the exception among the Grouse and 

 Partridges. On these grounds, as well as on that of different 

 geographical distribution, I prefer retaining the two families 

 distinct, in accordance with most Ornithologists, notwith- 

 standing the fact of certain genera of each family interbreeding 

 with each other. 



The Indian P/iasia?iidd> may be popularly divided into Pea-fowl, 

 Pheasants, Jungle-fowl, and Spur-fowl ; and, although the limits 

 of each are somewhat vague, I shall give these groups the rank 

 of sub-families in accordance with some of our systematic Works 

 on Ornithology. 



