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FAMILY XXX.— PAVONINE. PAVONINE BIRDS. 



Bill rather short, moderately stout, broader than high at the base, some- 

 what compressed toward the end; upper mandible with its extremity arched, 

 thin-edged, and obtuse; lower narrowed and blunt. Head partially denuded, 

 rather small, oblong; neck long; body very large. Feet stout, rather long; 

 tarsus anteriorly scutellate; hind toe elevated, anterior toes webbed at the 

 base. Claws rather denuded, obtuse. Plumage full, the feathers with a 

 very large plumule and short tube; those of the hind part of the back much 

 developed. Wings of moderate length, convex, rounded. Tail very large, 

 of more than twelve feathers. Tongue triangular, pointed; oesophagus 

 dilated into an enormous crop; stomach a very powerful gizzard, roundish, 

 or transversely elliptical, with very large muscles, and dense epithelium, 

 having two concave grinding surfaces; intestines long, and rather wide; 

 cceca very large, oblong, internally with elevated reticulated ridges. Trachea 

 cylindrical, without inferior laryngeal muscles. Nest on the ground, rudely 

 constructed. Eggs numerous. Young covered with stiffish down. 



Genus I.— MELEAGRIS, Linn. TURKEY. 



Bill rather short, moderately stout, nearly straight, broader than high at 

 the base, somewhat compressed toward the end; upper mandible with the 

 dorsal line sloping and straight, toward the end decurved, nasal membrane 

 large and bare, ridge and sides rounded, edges sharp, without notch, tip 

 thin-edged, rounded; lower mandible with the angle very long, and rather 

 wide, the dorsal line slightly convex, the edges sharp toward the end, 

 decurved, the tip thin-edged and obtuse. Nostrils linear, with a large horny 

 operculum. Head bare, with a long fleshy wattle at the base of the bill; 

 neck bare, carunculate, slightly feathered behind. Head small, oblong; neck 

 rather long; body very full. Feet large and strong; tarsus rather long, 

 stout, compressed, with two rows of scutella in front, and the same behind, 

 where there is also a conical slightly recurved spur, about a third from the 



