Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 64

Cases 35 to 40

Cases 35 to 40

contain the Gallinaceous, or Game Birds. In Case 35 we have the Sand Grouse (Pterodes), living in deserts, and the Guan (Penelope superciliaris), which perches in trees. In the same case are the Brush Turkey (Talegallus lathami), of Australia, and the Megapode (Megapodius pritchardi), of the Friendly Islands. Both of these place their eggs in mounds of earth and leaves, and they are hatched by the heat of the decomposing vegetable matter. The young birds can fly from the moment they are batched. Cases 36 to 38 contain the Pheasants and Fowls (Phasianidœ). The Wild Peacock and [unclear: Pearao] (Paro cristatus) very much resemble domesticated birds, but have longer legs. The Argus Pheasant (Argus giganteus) displays in its wings the most [unclear: wonder] "cup and ball" markings, the shading being nearly perfect. The Barred-tailed Pheasant (Phasianus ree-

page 20

vesi) is remarkable for the length of its tail. The Kaleege, or Fowl-pheasant (Euplocomus albo-cristates), lives in the forests of the Himalaya. The ton Pheasant (Lophophorus impeyanus) is one of the most magnificent of birds, its metallic plumage being unrivalled. The Jungle Fowl (Gallus bankiva) is considered by the best authorities as the ancestor of all the different varieties of domestic fowls. It much resembles some of the Bantams. The Tragopans (Ceriornis) are all handsome birds.

Case 39 contain the Grouse family (Tetraonidœ). The Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) is remarkable for its colours, so unlike the other Game-birds. The Francolins (Francolinus, &c.) are known by the male having a spur, which is absent in the true Partridges (Perdia). The Quails (Coturnix) are small Partridges, while the Button Quails (Turnix) have only three toes. The female of the Crested Partridge (Rollulus roul [unclear: rou]) differs markedly from the male, in having the body of a greenish colour. The Hill Partridge (Tetragallu himalayensis) is a fine large bird. The true Grouse are known by their feathered legs. The Capercallus (Tetrao urogallus) became extinct in Scotland, but attempts have been made to reinstate it from Norway. The Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix), and the Ptarmigan (Lagopus alpinus), are found in Europe; but the Red Grouse (Lagopus scoticus) is confined to the British Islands. Case 40 is devoted to the Bustards (Otididœ), of which we may mention the Great Bustard (Otis tarda), and the Houbara (Otis houbara). They live on open plains, and run with great rapidity, but they can also fly well