ZOOLOGICAL
36
Chinese countries, but one species (P. cristatus), has long adorned the-gardens of the West, haying been introduced into Britain at a very early date.
MEGAPODID.53 (Megapodes and Brush-Turkeys; 28 Species).
Plate 18, Map v.
The members of this family are mainly, though not exclusively, confined to the Australian Region. Seven genera have been described, but more than half (seventeen) of the species belong to the typical genus (Megapodius), and these include the two species which occur beyond the limits of the Australian Region, viz., one in the Nicobar Islands and one in N.W. Borneo and the-Philippine Islands. The Brush-Turkeys of the genus Talegallus are four in number, and confined to New Guinea and the Moluccas, while the Australian Brush-Turkey (Caiheturus lathami) is a well-known member of the family. Many of the Megapodidse are remarkable for their habit of raising mounds in which the eggs are deposited. These are afterwards hatched by the heat produced by the fermentation of the decaying vegetable matter of which the-mounds are composed.
TETRAONIDSE (Grouse ; 45 Species). Plate 18, Map v.
The well-known birds which constitute this family are confined to the-Nearctic and Palsearctic Regions, ranging as far north as Spitzbergen and .Franz Joseph Land. Eleven genera are distinguished, six of which are confined to the New World, four to the Old, and one common to both (Lagopus). The best-known Old World members of the family are the Red Grouse-(Lagopus scoticus), one of the few birds peculiar to the British Isles ; the Ptarmigan (L. mutus), confined to the mountains of Europe (including־ Scotland); the Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), ranging over Europe and northern Asia (including many parts of Britain) ; and the Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), occurring in Europe and Asia as far east as Lake Baikal. The last-named was formerly indigenous in Scotland and Ireland, became-extinct about the year 1760 or 1770, and was re-introduced into Scotland in 1838. The American Tetraonidse include the so-called Prairie-Hens of the genus Tympanuchus; the Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) ;, and the Ruffed Grouse of the genus Bonasa.
NUMIDID7E (Guinea-Fowls ; 23 Species). Plate 18, Map v.
These interesting birds, of which five genera are recognised, are entirely-confined to the Ethiopian Region. They have a wide range in Africa south of the Sahara, while one species extends into Madagascar and another into• the Cape Verde Islands. As a general rule these birds occur in large flocks, frequenting bushy or scrubby places, and possessing great running powers.
MELEAGRIDiE (Turkeys ; 5 Species). Plate 18, Map v.
The true Turkeys, of which two genera are known, have a restricted range in North and Central America. The typical genus (Meleagris) contains four species which occur in the Southern and Eastern United States, and the tablelands of Mexico. From the best-known of these (M. gallopavo) our common Turkey of the farmyard is descended. The second genus, Agriocharis, includes only the Ocellated Turkey (A, ocellata) of Guatemala,. British Honduras and Yucatan.
ODONTOPHORIDzE (American Partridges and Quails; 72 Species).
Plate 18, Map v.
These somewhat small Game-Birds are divided among 11 genera, and are-fairly widely distributed in the New World. The largest members of the-family are about the size of a common Partridge, but many are much smaller. They are sometimes called Toothed Partridges, owing to the fact that their lower mandible is serrated. The best-known species are the Californian Quail (Lophortyx calif ornicus), a handsome bird, sometimes kept-as a pet in aviaries, and the Virginian Quail (Colin virginianus).
ORDER TINAMIFORMES (72 Species).
TINAMIDÆ (Tinamus ; 72 Species). Plate 18, Map vi.
The Tinamus are an interesting group of Partridge-like birds, which are■ entirely confined to Tropical and South America, and ranging from Mexico• (about the Tropic of Cancer) to Patagonia. They are essentially ground-dwellers, and seem to take the place of such true game-birds as Partridges, Pheasants and Grouse, all of which are entirely absent from the Neotropical Region. They feed on seeds and roots, as well as insects, and cause some-little damage to maize- and potato-crops, while in compensation for their destructive habits they offer such good sport and delicate eating that in. many districts they have been almost exterminated.
ORDER APTERYGIFORMES (6 Species).
APTERYGID7E (Kiwis ; 6 Species). Plate 18, Map vi.
The curious flightless birds known as Kiwis, are only found in New Zealand, and are among the most remarkable of all the feathered inhabitants, of that interesting group of islands. They are much smaller birds than the׳ Emus, their nearest living relatives, and are characterised by their long, somewhat slender beak, four toes, and remarkable hair-like plumage. They inhabit wooded districts chiefly in hilly regions, and are nocturnal in their habits. Of the six existing species two are confined to the South Island,, one to the North Island, and one to Stewart Island, while the other two are-found in both the North and South Islands.
of Reunion. The third member of the family was the so-called Solitaire (Pezophaps solitarius), which occurred only on the Island of Rodriguez, where it survived until the year 1761. It is reported to have been somewhat larger than a swan, with longer legs than the Dodo, and quite rudimentary wings.
ORDER PTEROCLIDIFORMES (17 Species).
PTEROCLIDIDiE (Sand Grouse; 17 Species). Plate 18, Map iii.
The Sand Grouse, of which three genera are described, were at one time considered to be close allies of the true Grouse (Tetraonidse), but they are now placed in a sub-order to themselves. They are essentially inhabitants of desert regions, and in suitable districts are found in the Oriental, Ethiopian and Palsearctic Regions. A single species is peculiar to Madagascar, six are confined to Africa, one to India and one to Tibet. Pallas’ Sand-Grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus) is remarkable for the great irruptions it has made on several occasions into Europe and even into Britain, although its normal home is in the Kirghiz Steppes and eastwards through Turkestan into Mongolia. The chief of these immigrations occurred in 1863 and 1888, when the species spread over Western Europe in enormous flocks, occurring on those occasions in practically every part of the British Isles.
ORDER HEMIPODII (28 Species).
TURNICIDiE (Bustard-Quails or Hemipodes; 28 Species).
Plate 18, Map iii.
The Bustard-Quails are entirely confined to the Old World, ranging from Southern Spain (where a single species occurs), Northern Africa, Northern India and Manchuria to the Cape, Madagascar, Australia, and Tasmania. Of the 28 known species no less than eight are peculiar to Australia, while Africa possesses only four and Madagascar one. The remainder are found in China, India and the Malayan Region, ranging as far east as New Caledonia, but not occurring, curiously enough, in the large island of Borneo. These birds are like miniature partridges in general appearance, running swiftly but not flying well, dwelling in open grassy plains and feeding on seeds and insect larvse. A remarkable feature in this family is the superior size of the female, while the males perform the important duties of incubation and tend the young when hatched.
ORDER GALLIFORMES (479 Species).
CRACIDiE (Curassows and Guans ; 62 Species). Plate 18, Map iv.
The members of this family are all natives of tropical and sub-tropical America, ranging from Texas and Northern Mexico southwards to the Argentine Republic and Uruguay. About two-thirds of the species are found in the great forests of the Amazonian sub-region, while on the other hand Chili and the West Indies are entirely without representatives. They are handsome birds, some of them as large as Turkeys, and spend most of their time perched high up in the trees of the forest. Three sub-families are sometimes recognised, the first (Cracinse) containing the Curassows (Crax) and their allies; the second (Penelopinse) comprising the birds known as Guans (Penelope), and a few others; and the third (Oreophasinee) represented by a single species, the rare and beautiful “Faisan” (Oreophasis derbianus) of the Volcan de Fuegoin Guatemala.
PHASIANIDJE (Pheasants, Partridges, &c. ; 244 Species).
Plate 18, Map iv.
This large and important family of Game-Birds, containing 47 genera, is entirely confined to the Old World, throughout which it has an almost universal distribution. The great majority of the species are Oriental, but they are also well represented in Africa and the southern portion of the Palsearctic Region. It is impossible to deal with all the well-known members of the family here, but a few of the more important may be alluded to. The genus Gaccabis includes nine species, known as Red-legged Partridges, occurring in Central and Southern Europe, Asia, Arabia, and North Africa. The Francolins (Francolinus), are an important group of 49 species, most of which are African. The true Partridges (Perdix) are eight in number, and range over a wide area in Europe and temperate Asia, with one species (P. cinerea) resident and generally distributed in Britain. The Quails (Coturnix), six species of which are known, have an interesting distribution, one species occurring in Britain chiefly as a summer visitant, ranging throughout Europe, North Asia, and the Indian Peninsula, and wintering in Africa. Two others are African, the fourth Oriental, the fifth Asiatic, and the sixth confined to Australia and Tasmania. The Tragopans, or Horned Pheasants (Tragopan) are handsome birds, inhabiting the wooded mountains of Northern India and China. Five species are known, which are remarkable for the blue fleshy “ horns ” on the head of the males. Other fine members of the family are the Monals (Bophophorus), the Eared Pheasants (Crossoptilum), the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), and the Argus Pheasant (Argusianus argus). The true Pheasants (Phasianus) include about a score of species with many local races, the distribution of which is shown separately on the map. In Great Britain and the greater part of Europe the Common Pheasant has long been established for sporting and domestic purposes, but its true home is South-eastern Europe and Asia Minor. The Jungle-Fowls of the genus Gallus (see Map) comprise four species, which are of much interest as being the origin of all our various breeds of domestic fowls. Lastly, the Peacocks (Pavo)—see Map—three species of which are known, are familiar to all through their gorgeous coloration. Their original home is India, Ceylon, Java and the Indo-