234: 
VERTEBEATA, 
of its habits bears no inconsiderable resemblance to many of the rasores. In other respects, how- 
ever, it differs very widely from these. Its nest is a neat domed structure, composed of mosses, 
roots, and stems of plants ; and when it is approached pretty closely, which, from its extreme shy- 
ness, is by no means an easy matter, it is found to possess a varied song. Both the species are 
found principally in the rocky gullies of New South AVales, where they run through the bush 
with such swiftness that, according to Mr. Gould, they are the most difficult to procure of all the 
birds of Australia. They fly but little, their wings being very short, and rounded. 
ORDER 5. RASORES. 
This order includes the numerous species of Gallinaceous Birds, or those which agree more or 
less in structure with our common fowl, and the name Hasores, or Scrapers, alludes to the habit 
of scratching in the gTound in search of food, which is common with domestic poultry. They 
are generally marked by a small head, stout legs, the plumage firm, the males usually adorned 
with magnificent colors, and the tails often developed in a manner to render the appearance ex- 
tremely elegant. The wings are usually short and weak, and the flight of the birds neither pow- 
erful nor prolonged. The stomach or gizzard is exceedingly muscular and strong, and lined with 
hard tendinous plates, by the action of which, assisted in most cases by stones, or other hard sab- 
stances which the birds swallow, the comminution of the food is effected. The intestine is long, 
and furnished with very large coeca ; the latter organs, in fact, are larger in these tha.n in any 
other birds. The species are found in all parts of the Avorld, from the tropics to the frozen regions 
of the north ; but the finest and most typical kinds are inhabitants of the temperate and warmer 
parts of Asia. They feed principally on seeds, fruits, and herbage, but also, to a considerable ex- 
tent, on insects, worms, and other small animals. Their general habitation is on the ground, 
where they run with great celerity, but many of them roost on trees. They are mostly polyga- 
mous in their habits, the males being usually surrounded by a considerable troop of females ; and 
to these, with few a exceptions, the whole business of incubation is generally left. The nest is 
always placed on the ground in some sheltered situation, and very little art is exhibited in its con- 
struction ; indeed, an elaborate nest is the less necessary, as the young are able to run about and 
feed almost as soon as they have left the egg ; and at night, or on the approach of danger, they 
collect beneath the wings of their mother. Most of these species — including Grouse, Partridges, 
Quails, TurTceys, Pheasants, the Cormnon Fowls, Peacocks, Mound Birds, Curassows, &G. — are 
esteemed for the table, and many of them are among the most celebrated of game birds. 
