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246 their whole appearance reminds the observer of a Bustard in miniature. They are easily caught by a man on horseback, as they exhibit little sagacity in avoiding danger. "As for their flesh," says Mr. Swainson, "we have often tasted it, and consider it both in whiteness and flavour, infinitely above that of the Partridge or Pheasant. We believe these birds never perch, as some suppose, but that they live entirely among herbage, principally in the more open tracts of the interior."

There is, however, one genus found in the sandy regions of the Old World, and which has, at least on one occasion, visited this country. We select this as an illustration of the Family.

The characters of this genus, as given by Mr. Gould in his magnificent work, " The Birds of Europe," are these: The beak moderate, slender, very compressed; the culmen elevated, and curved towards the point. Nostrils lateral, linear, longitudinally cleft, partly closed by a membrane. Tarsus rather long. Toes three before, entirely divided; no posterior toe. Tail composed of weak yielding feathers clustered together, and concealed by the feathers of the back. Wings moderate, the first quill-feather the longest.

The species composing this genus principally inhabit the countries which surround the Indian Ocean, from the Cape of Good Hope to Australia: they run among grass, where also they make their nests; but they fly with ease and rapidity. The males are considerably smaller than the females. The Andalusian Hemipode (Turnix