1 14 
NATURAL HISTORY OF 
The Gallinaceous Birds, named in the scientific 
language of modern ornithology Rasores, are placed 
third in Class Aves or Birds, and in addition to the 
Gallina;, to which hy former authors they were li- 
mited, they are now made to contain the Pigeons, 
and the Struthious hirds^such as the Ostrich, Bus- 
tards, &c. The class has also been termed the first 
of the aberrant series, from the members of it pos- 
sessing in a less degree the powers of flight and of 
perching and grasping — the great attributes of birds. 
These are developed to their greatest extent in the 
birds of prey and the incessorial order ; and although 
in the present division we find some species with a 
strong flight, and feet fitted for grasping, yet, when 
they are examined as a whole, these are not seen as 
marked properties of the order, while others are 
most conspicuous. 
The Rasorial birds are formed principally for abode 
upon the ground, and for this purpose the legs and 
feet are strong, the toes placed upon a plane, and 
connected at the base by a strong binding membrane. 
The hallux or hind toe, the great accessory in perch- 
ing and grasping, is often wanting, and is alwnys 
short, and the nails are short, or, when lengthened, 
always stretch in a line with the toe; consequently 
the powers of walking and running are great, and in 
some instances conduce alone to the preservation of 
their possessor. The greater part of their food is 
taken upon the ground, and consists of insects, grain, 
roots, seeds, and tender vegetables. Their nests are 
