70 



AVE S. 



Subgenus Perdix. Common Partridge. 



Beak not so strong ; the males have a short spur or only a 

 tubercle, the females none. 



Subgenus Ortyx. American Partridge. 



Beaker stronger, shorter and more convex; tail larger; no 

 spurs. 



Subgenus Coturnix. Quail. 



Beak more slender ; tail shorter ; no red eyebrows ; no 

 spurs. 



Genus Columba, Lin. Pigeon. 



Beak compressed ; arcuated at base and covered with a 

 soft tumid skin ; toes divided ; flight strong ; tail composed 

 of twelve quills only. 



ORDER V. GRALLATORIiE.* 



Lower part of the leg naked; tarsi most generally elevated; 

 two circumstances which permit them to enter the water 

 without wetting their feathers, to wade through it, and fish 

 by means of their neck and beak. Those which have the 

 beak strong, feed on Fish and Reptiles ; those which have it 

 weak, on Worms and Insects. A very few content themselves, 

 in part, with grain or grass, and these alone, live at a distance 

 from the water. Exterior toe joined by its base to that of the 

 middle one by means of a short membrane ; sometimes there 

 are two membranes and at others the membrane is entirely 

 wanting ; the toes likewise are sometimes bordered all along 

 or palmated. No thumb in certain genera. Wings usually 

 long; legs, while flying, extended behind. Eight families, 

 of which three hardly are entitled to this name. 



FAMILY I. BREVIPPENNES. Short-Winged. 



Size so considerable that all the muscular power (appa- 

 rently) at the command of nature would be insufficient to 

 enable them to fly. Wings very small and unfit for flight ; 



* Waders. 



