BRITISH BIRDS. 
275 
their bodies are large and bulky, and their heads 
comparatively fmall ; the bill in all of them is 
fhort, ftrong, and fomewhat curved; their wings 
are ftiort and concave, and fcarcely able to fupport 
their bodies, on which account they feldom make 
long excurlions ; their legs are ftrong, and are fur- 
nilhed with a fpur or knob behind. — Birds of this 
kind are extremely prolific, and lay a great num- 
ber of eggs ; the young follow the mother as foon 
as hatched, and immediately learn to pick up the 
food which file is moft afliduous in Ihewing them ; 
on this account lhe generally makes her neft on 
the ground, or in places of eafy accefs to her 
young brood. 
Our gallant Chanticleer holds a diftinguiftied rank 
in this clafs of birds, and Hands foremoft in the lift 
of our domeftic tribes ; on which account we Ihall 
place him at the head. 
T 2 
