( ) 
ORDER IV. 
Qallinacece , 
So named from their affinity to the domestic Cock, like which 
they havcj generally^, the anterior toes united at their base by a 
short membrane, and notched along their edges ; the upper mandible 
vaulted ; the nostrils, pierced in the large membranous space at 
the base of the beak, coshered by a cartilaginous scale; the gait 
heavy; the sternum diminished by two notches, so broad and deep 
that they occupy almost the whole of its sides, its crest terminating 
obliquely in front, so that the sharp point of the furcula is only 
joined to it by a ligament (Fig. 167.) ; all which circumstances, 
by weakening their pectoral muscles considerably, render their 
flight difficult. Their tail has mostly \l\ and sometimes even 18 
pen-feathers, with the exception of the Alectors, Their inferior 
larynx is very simple, consequently none of them sing agreeably; 
they have a very wide crop and a very powerful gizzard. Excepting 
the A lectors, they lay and hatch their eggs on the ground, on 
heaps of straw or grass rudely scattered. Each male has generally 
several females, and does not interfere either with the nest or the 
care of the young, which are generally numerous, and, most 
frequently, able to run on coming out of the shell. 
This very natural family, remarkable for having given us the 
greater part of our farm-yard fowls and much excellent game, can 
only be divided into genera by some unimportant characters taken 
from the appendages of the head. 
GALLINAGE^. 
GENERA AND SLB-GENERA. 
1. Pavo, Lin. Peacocks. 
The tec trice s o( the Brought from the 
tail, in the male, long- north of Indiaby Alex- 
er than the pen-fea- ander. 
thers, rise and spread. 
a. P. Proper. 
Egrets. Spots like eyes in the 
extremities of" the fea- 
thers. 
