TINAMID^. 
the  third  and  fourth  quills  the  longest.  Tail  apparently  totally  wanting.  Tarsi  the  length  of  the 
middle  toe.  The  lateral  Toes  unequal,  at  the  base  covered  with  small  scales,  and  towards  the  tip 
with  transverse  scales  ; and  the  hind  toe  very  small  and  elevated. 
These  timid  birds  frequent  the  open  grassy  plains  on  the  borders  of  the  large  rivers,  or  the  barren  plains  of  the 
warmer  parts  of  South  Ameriea.  They  conceal  themselves  among  the  bushes  or  by  lying  elose  to  the  ground,  and  they 
do  not  readily  take  wing  when  disturbed.  Small  fruits  and  insects  form  their  principal  food. 
1.  N.5ora?MjVa  (Spix),  Wagl.  Av.  Bras.  t. 79.>  Isis,  1829. 
2.  N.  major  (Spix),  Wagl.  Av.  Bras.  t.  80. 
3.  N.  maculosa  (Temm.)  Pig.  & Gall.  iii.  p.  557.  & 748.  — 
Cryptura  fasciata  Vieill.  ; TinairiHS  metlius  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  t.  81., 
Azara  No.  327. 
4.  N.  minor  (Spix),  Wagl.  Av.  Bras.  t.  82. 
5.  N.  nana  (Temm.)  Pig.  & Gall.  iii.  600.  & 753.,  PL  col.  3l6., 
Azara  No.  328. 
Rhynchotus  Spix.* 
Bill  a little  longer  than  the  head,  with  the  culmen  and  lateral  margins  slightly  arched  to  the  tip, 
which  does  not  overlap  that  of  the  lower  mandible,  as  in  the  species  of  the  two  preceding  divisions ; the 
nostrils  basal,  lateral,  large,  and  rather  rounded.  Wings  short  and  concave,  with  the  second  and  third 
quills  the  longest.  Tail  not  visible,  but  with  numerous  soft  long  coverts  in  its  place. 
It  is  in  the  barren  districts  or  swampy  thickets,  on  the  borders  of  the  lakes  of  South  America,  that  these  species  are 
observed.  They  generally  live  in  small  troops,  and  when  disturbed  do  not  all  rise  together,  as  is  usual  with  partridges, 
&c.,  when  on  the  ground,  on  which  they  sit  very  close,  and  utter  a shrill  whistle.  The  nest  is  hidden  under  a tuft  of 
grass ; and  the  female  lays  seven  eggs. 
1.  R.  rw/esceas  (Temm.)  Wagl.  PI.  col.  412.,  Azara  No.  3l6. — | 2.  B,.  Perdix  (Mol.)  — Crypturus  perdicarius  Kittl.  Vog.  von 
Cryptura  Guazu  Vieill. ; Rhynchotus  fasciatus  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  t.  76.  , Chili,  t.  12. 
Tinamotis  Vigors,  f 
Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  the  culmen  broad  at  the  base  and  flattened,  and  much  arched  at  the  tip, 
where  it  overlaps  the  lower  mandible ; the  nostrils  rather  basal,  with  the  opening  in  the  form  of  an 
irregular  ovoid.  Wings  short  and  rounded,  with  the  third  and  fourth  quills  the  longest,  and  the  tips 
ending  in  a lateral  curved  point.  Tail  concealed  by  the  coverts  which  are  lengthened  and  pendulous.  Tarsi 
short,  robust,  scutellated  in  front,  with  the  sides  and  posterior  part  covered  with  small  scales.  Toes 
rather  short  and  thick ; the  inner  one  shorter  than  the  outer,  with  the  sides  margined  by  a membrane, 
and  the  hind  toe  wanting ; the  claws  broad  and  very  convex  above. 
The  birds  of  this  division  frequent  the  most  elevated,  dry,  and  desert  places  of  South  America,  almost  destitute  of 
veo-etation,  and  generally  at  some  distance  from  fresh  water.  Tliey  run  with  extreme  swiftness ; their  flight  on  the 
contrary  is  rather  heavy,  never  very  far,  and  but  little  elevated  above  the  ground.  These  timid  birds  utter  when 
alarmed,  running  or  flying,  a shrill  whistle.  Their  food  consists  of  small  fruits,  and  especially  of  seeds.  The  nest  is 
constructed,  in  a tuft  of  grass  or  at  the  foot  of  a shrub,  of  grass  stalks ; and  the  female  lays  generally  twelve  eggs. 
].  T.  Vigors,  Proc.  Z.S.  1836.  p.  79*  I 3.  ? T.  ocellata  (Meyen),  Mem.  Acad.  Nat.  Curios.  1833. 
2.  T.  elegans  (D’Orb.  & GeofFr.)  Mag.  de  Zool.  1832.  Ois.  t.  1.  | p.  110.  t.  17- 
* Established  by  Spix  {Av.  Bras.  ii.  p.  60.)  in  1825. 
f The  above  name  was  given  by  Vigors  {Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  p.  79-)  hi  1836.  This  division  was  originally  proposed  under  the  name  of 
Eudromia,  by  MM.  D’Orhigny  and  I.  GeofFroy,  in  1832  ; hut  this  had  been  previously  used  in  the  form  of  Eudromias. 
I)pcfin/bei\  1 844. 
L>  a 
