MKLKAiiKIN^K. 
Numida  Litm.* 
BUI  moderate;  the  skies  compressed,  and  the  culmen  arched  to  the  tip,  which  hangs  over  that  of  the 
lower  mandible,  and  the  lateral  margins  smooth  and  curved  ;  the  nostrils  large,  oval,  and  partly  covered 
by  a  membrane.  Winyx  moderate,  with  the  first  four  quills  graduated,  and  shorter  than  the  fifth,  which 
is  the  longest.  Tail  short  and  pendent.  Tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  covered  in  front  with  broad 
divided  scales.  Toes  moderate,  the  anterior  ones  united  by  a  membrane  at  their  base,  the  inner  toe 
shorter  than  the  outer,  and  the  hind  toe  rather  short  and  elevated :  the  claws  short  and  very  slightly 
curved. 
The  birds  that  compose  tliis  genus  arc  peculiar  to  the  continent  of  Africa,  where  they  frequent  the  woods  that 
border  the  rivers,  in  large  flocks  of  two  or  three  hundred  individuals,  scattering  themselves  in  search  of  their  food,  which 
consists  of  small  grains,  grasshoppers,  ants,  and  other  kinds  of  insects.  When  alarmed,  they  usually  seek  to  escape  by 
quick  running,  rather  than  by  flight.  The  eggs  are  numerous,  and  are  deposited  in  a  slightly  formed  nest,  which  is 
usually  concealed  in  a  thicket  or  bush. 
1.  N.  meleagris  Linn.  PI.  ml.  108.  —  Nunrida  galcata  Pall.  ;  N.  I 
Rendallii  Ogilby J  N.  niaculipennis  Swains. 
2.  N.  mitrata  Pall.  Spic.  Zool.  iv.  t.  3.  f.  1. 
S.  N.  ptibrhyncha  Licht.  Less.  Ornith.  p.  408. 
4.  N.  vulturina  Ilarchv.  Proc.  Z.  S.  1 8.34.  52.,  Gould,  Icones, 
pi  Type  of  Aery  Ilium  G.  R.  Gray  (1810). 
5.  N.  cristata  Pall.    Spicil.  Zool.  t.  2.,  Gal.  des  Ois.  t.  20<)  
Type  of  Guttera  Wayl.  (1832). 
*  Established  by  Linna>us  in  1 7o"6"  (S.ynttma  Natures).  It  includes  Gultcra  of  Waglcr  (1832),  and  Acryllinm  proposed  by  me 
(1810). 
November,  1845. 
3  9 
