COI.UMBID*.. 



Oeder III.—RASORES. Illiger. 



Rostrum mediocre, dertro fornicato, basi scepius cerigerum, cul- 

 mine plerurnque convexo, rarius gibbo-carinato ; aut magnum, 

 medio transversim imjpressum et rugosum : nares vel meinbrana 

 vel squama Jbrnicati superne semitectce : pedes gradarii, tetra- 

 dactyli aut tridactyli: ungues mediocres aut breves, plerurnque 

 modice curvati, obtusiusculi. 



Beak moderate, dertrum arched; often furnished with a cere at 

 its base, the culmen generally convex, rarely gibbous-carinated; 

 or beak large, with a transverse impression, and rugose in the 

 middle : nostrils above partly clothed with a membrane or an 

 arched scale : legs formed for walking, with four or three 

 toes : claws moderate or short, mostly slightly curved, rather 

 obtuse. 



The Rasores are thus divided by Mr. Vigors. 



Hind- toes short, elevated ; tarsi 

 generally armed with spurs : 



Hind*toe wanting, or more o 

 less resting on the ground 

 tarsi without spurs : . . . 



( Phasianid^, Vigors. 

 \Tetraonid^, Leach. 



C Struthionid^, Vigors. 

 < Cracid^, Vigors. 

 C CoLUMBiDiE, Leach. 



FAMILY L— COLUMBIDiE. 



Rostrum mediocre, compressum, basi membra?id molli et tumida 

 instructiim, in qua nares sit(S sunt, nd apicem plus minusve 

 arcuatum: i^edes simplices, tetradactyli, fissi ; tarsi reticulati: 

 C2ivA2i. plerurnque rectricibus duodecim. 



Beak moderate, compressed, furnished at the base with a tumid 

 and soft membrane, in which the nostrils are placed, and more 

 or less bent at the tip : legs simple, four-toed, cleft : the tarsi 

 reticulated: tail generally with twelve feathers. 



The Columbidge are monogamous; they build their 

 nests on trees, or in the holes of rocks, and generally 



