AVES. 369 
nensis), a plain, but very pretty birf, frequently to be seen in the woods 
and fields, and like the turtle of Europe it is one of the first to announce 
the advent of spring by its harmonious but rather melancholy cooings. 
Many other birds belong here, of the greater part of which little is 
known. 
Sub-fam. 3. Gourine, or Ground Pigeons. Bill moderate, rather slender, 
straight, apex strong; wings moderate, pointed; tail moderate, rounded ; 
tarsi and feet rather long, robust. Size very various. 
Contains a large number of pigeons which live habitually on the ground. 
They are most numerous in tropical countries, though a few species have 
been discovered to inhabit the extreme southern limits of the United States 
in summer. Of these the Zenaida dove (Zenaida amabilis) is one of the 
most remarkable. It occasionally visits Florida, and is said to be very 
gentle in its manners, and to possess a voice of remarkable softness. 
The little bird-like dove (Chamepelia passerina) is another, which has 
been observed in Florida, and more abundant than the preceding. It is a 
very smail species, and is often tamed. 
The two largest birds of the family of pigeons belong to this assemblage. 
They are the crowned pigeon and the queen’s pigeon (Goura coronata and 
G. victoria). both of which are considerably larger than common fowls. 
They are much alike in general appearance, having fine ashy blue plumage 
and beautiful erect crests, and inhabit the large islands of the Indian 
archipelago. 
Numerous other beautiful pigeons and doves belong here, which are 
found in all warm countries. Goura cruenta (pl. 96, fig. 14) is an Indian 
species. 
Sub-fam. 4. Didine, or Dodos. Bill longer than the head, much curved 
towards the tip, which is hooked and acute; tarsi short, robust; feet 
strong ; wings and tail unknown. Size large. 
This sub-family has been founded on one bird only, which is called “the 
dodo” by some early voyagers to the island of Mauritius, which it formerly 
inhabited. It is now supposed to be extinct, and no perfect specimen is 
known to exist, though several fragments are preserved in European 
museums. It is represented as having been a large bird, somewhat resem- 
bling a turkey, and to have lived on the ground in the forests of palm trees, 
on the fruits of which it subsisted. 
Orper V. Gauuina. 
This order consists of the common fowls, pheasants, grouse, turkeys, and 
other birds of similar manners and character. They are invariably formed 
essentially for living upon dry ground. Their food, with few exceptions, is 
entirely vegetable, and their chief support is derived from the seeds and 
grains of plants. Many of them eat also the green or leafy portions, and 
are in this respect nearly peculiar among birds. Almost all of them have 
large crops or craws, and extremely muscular and powerful gizzards. 
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