INTRODUCTION. 
IT will, I am sure, be conceded, that next to illustrating the ornithology of a particular country, mono¬ 
graphs of families or genera are of the greatest interest, since they tend to increase our knowledge of the 
science far more than mere descriptions of new species ; with this view, therefore, I have from time to time 
turned my attention to the investigation of some one or other of those groups, respecting which much con¬ 
fusion existed, or which had not received the attention that their interesting nature appeared to demand. In 
selecting those of the Ramphastidcs and Trogonidce for the subjects of my previous monographs, I must 
faix-ly admit that I was as much influenced by the singularity of their form, and by the splendour of their 
plumage, as by the fortunate acquisition of many species entirely unknown to science ; the subjects of 
the present monograph, on the other hand, though not remarkable for brilliancy of colouring, are, 
independently of their claims to notice in a scientific point of view, well worthy of illustration, from 
their utility to man, both as articles of food and as objects of sport, a utility prospectively important 
whenever the vast countries of which they are denizens shall become entirely under the dominion of civili¬ 
zation ; nor can we overlook their value as objects for our aviaries, and for naturalization in Europe ; many 
of the species would live in the warmer parts of the Continent, and some of them are sufficiently hardy to 
brave the severities of our winters, and would doubtless thrive in situations similar to those that are suitable 
to our own Partridge. 
To these preliminary remarks I may add, that this section of the Gallinacece has received no inconsider¬ 
able share of my attention for the last twenty years, during which period I have availed myself of 
every possible opportunity of becoming acquainted with the subject; and I would here record my sense of 
the kind assistance rendered to me on all hands, particularly by my late lamented friend Mr. John 
