402 



TINAMOU. 



of South America, and are very dull birds : their 

 flight is heavy, low, and of little duration, but they 

 run with great celerity: some species reside in 

 the open fields, while others prefer the borders of 

 woods : they live in small scattered coveys : their 

 food consists of insects and fruits : their eggs are 

 deposited in a hole or furrow ready formed on the 

 ground : they are very numerous, and are usually 

 produced twice in the year : both sexes resemble 

 each other : their flesh is said to be white, firm, 

 and succulent, forming a wholesome nourishment, 

 but their rump and thighs are sometimes very 

 bitter, which is attributed to their food consisting 

 principally of the fruit of certain trees at particular 

 periods of the year. 



Temminck has formed two divisions of this genus, 

 and given a hint respecting a third ; all of which 

 I have adopted, as I am decidedly of opinion that 

 where there is any considerable variation in the 

 structure of animals, there will be found some dif- 

 ference in the habits, when the subject becomes 

 thoroughly investigated. 



I have omitted the Tinamou ray6 of Temminck, 

 as it appears to be a doubtful species.* 



* Tinamus undulatus. Temm, Gall. Ind,p, 751. 



