203 
Gends PERISTERA, — SirArNson. 
This well-marked group was first characterized 
by Mr Swainson, in the third volume of the Zoolo- 
gical Journal, and embraces a variety of species, na- 
tives of America and the West India Islands. To 
it we are inclined to add, at least for the present, a 
few species belonging to the African Continent, as 
they appear to possess characters precisely analogous, 
and are distinguished by similar habits and manners. 
In this group, an evident and near approach is made 
to the true Gallinaceous Birds, both in regard to 
form and economy. They have wings of a like shape, 
being rounded and concave when expanded, like 
tliose of a partridge. I'lieir legs are considerably 
longer than in the Typical Pigeons, and naked ; and 
the feet formed for walking or running. From their 
habits and general appearance, the French naturalists 
have distinguished them from the other Coluinbidm 
by the name of Colombi-Gallines, as expressive of 
their near affinity to the other families of the Raso- 
rial Order; and they stand, together with other 
groups, as a sep.irate section in Temminck’s valuable 
History of the Pigeons. They live ami procure their 
food upon the ground, where they walk and run 
ivith facility ; but most of the species retire to low 
