376 ZOOLOGY. 
the turkey in size, and has fine black plumage. It is yet frequently met 
with in the forests of the north of Europe. , 
The moor cock, T. tetriz (pl. 96, fig. 2), is another fine European species, 
formerly very abundant, and yet frequent in the Highlands of Scotland. 
It is entirely black with a forked tail, and is represented as living principally — 
on twigs and buds of the heath and on blades of grass. 
Several species of these birds inhabit the United States, of which the 
largest is the cock of the plains (7. urophasianus). The others are, the 
sharp-tailed grouse (7. phasienellus), the Canada grouse (TI. canadensis), 
the dusky grouse (7. obscurus), and the prairie hen (7. cupido). The latter 
was formerly abundant throughout the United States, but.is now almost 
extinct in the Atlantic states. The most common species is, however, the 
ruffed grouse or pheasant, T° umbellus, which is frequent throughout the 
country. 
The most curious birds of this group are the ptarmigans, which live in the 
extreme north of both continents. They are usually seen on the barren 
grounds, or among thickets of willows and birches, on the banks of marshes 
or lakes. The plumage varies with the season; in the winter they are 
pure white, but as the spring advances they assume a dark chestnut color, 
which gradually extends over the whole body. The white ptarmigan 
(Lagopus albus) is a frequent species in the north of Europe, and the rock 
ptarmigan (L. mutus) in northern America. In the winter season, when 
alarmed, they are said to plunge into the snow, under which they proceed 
to considerable distances. | 
Sub-fam. 5. Pterocline, or Sand Grouse. Bill short, curved, compressed ; 
wings and tail long and pointed; tarsi and feet robust and feathered ; size 
small ; colors plain. 
These singular birds inhabit the sandy deserts of Africa and Asia, and 
nearly all the species have their plumage of dull brown, much resembling 
the color of dry sand. Their food consists of hard seeds, grass, and insects. 
The banded sand grouse (Pterocles bicinctus) is frequently brought from 
Africa; the desert grouse, P. alchata (pl. 95. fig. 14), is another species. 
Sub-fam. 6. Tinamine, or Tinamous. Biil rather long and _ slender; 
wings short, rounded ; tail very short, rounded ; tarsi and feet moderate 
and strong. Size various ; colors plain. 
About twenty-five species of these birds are known, all of which are 
found in South America. Their general appearance is much that of a 
partridge with a long bill, and their habits and manners are said to be very 
similar. The larger tinamou (Tinamus major) and others are common. 
Orper VI. SrrutHionss. 
This order embraces the ostrich, the cassowary, the bustards, and a few 
other birds, mostly of large size. 
Fam. 1. Srrurutonip#, or Ostricnes. The only family of the order, 
the species of which are easily distinguished by their large size and exclu- 
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