VERTEBRATA. 



333 



'Fig. 315. — Prairie-chicken (Cupidonia cupido). 

 Western prairies. 



being united by a short web, and terminating in blunt 

 claws. The legs are usually feathered to the heel, some- 

 times (as in Grouse) 

 to the toes. The 

 feathers of the body 

 are large and coarse. 

 The males generally 

 have gay plumage, 

 and some appendage 

 to the head. The 

 nostrils are covered 

 by a scale or valve. 

 Their main food is 

 grain. Such are the 

 Grouse, Partridges, Turkeys, Pheasants, Poultry, and Cu- 

 rassows. To these may be added, 



7. Columbce, or Pigeons and Doves, although they stand 



intermediate between the 

 terrestrial and perching 

 Birds, as the Flamingoes 

 link the aquatic and terres- 

 trial. They differ from the 

 typical Rasores in having 

 wings for prolonged flight, 

 and slender legs, fitted rath- 

 er for an arboreal life, with 

 toes not united, and the 

 hind toe on a level with 

 the rest. 



C. Aerial Birds. — This 

 FiG.3i6.-Ring-dove ( coiZ6a^m&^). highest and largest group 

 England, includes all those Birds 



whose toes are fitted for grasping or perching, the hind 

 toe being on a level with the rest. The knee is free from 

 the body, and the leg is generally feathered to the heel. 



