GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 37 1 



may worthily stand in comparison with the most gorgeous of the 

 Passerines. This richness of colour is the characteristic of the male 

 bird, for the females are usually of dull hues. But if the Gallinaceae 

 captivate the sight, they are far from affording pleasure to the ear, 

 their voices being shrill and discordant. 



Cruel, tyrannical, and quarrelsome are the characteristics of the 

 majority of this race. They are polygamous, and the females lay a 

 large number of eggs, which they sit upon, unassisted by the male. 

 They are generally divided into flocks, consisting of one male, 

 several females, and a number of young birds \ but it is very rare 

 that several families unite to live in common. 



The Gallinaceae 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 " afford amusement to the sportsman and table 

 delicacies for the bon vivant. 



Although nearly all the Gallinaceae were originally natives of the 

 warm regions of Asia and America, they are now perfectly acclimated 

 to all temperate parts of the globe. 



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

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

 have just enumerated specially belong; and the Columbidce, which 

 differ from them in certain details of organisation and habits, to be 

 described hereafter. 



The Gallinaceae Proper 



comprehend six families : the Tetraonidce, the Perdicidce, the Tina- 

 mides, the Chionidm, the Megapodidce, and the Phasianidce. 



TETRAONIDiE. 



The birds which compose this group are characterised as follows : 

 tarsi completely feathered ; a naked and knotty band of skin 

 supplying the place of eyebrows ; the body bulky, and the wings 

 short. This family comprehends several species. The best known 

 we enumerate : — The Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Cock of the 

 Plains, Pinnated Grouse, Ruffed Grouse, Hazel Hen, Red Grouse,: 

 and Ptarmigan. > 



The Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) inhabits the pine and birch, 

 orests of hilly northern countries. They feed upon fruits, berries? 



Y 2 



