. A dictionary of birds . there is an unmis-takable uniformity of appearance among them as a whole, so thatalmost anybody having seen one species of the group would alwaysrecognize another. Yet in minor characters there is considerabledifference among them ; and before all the group may be divided 1 M. Alix also has from au independent investigation of the osteology andmyology of Nolhwa major conie to virtually the same conclusion {Joiirn. deZoologic, iii. pp. 169 and 252, pis. ) TINAMOU 965 into two subfamilies, the first, TinmnhiR\ having four toes, Jind tliosecond, Thmmotidlwx, hav
. A dictionary of birds . there is an unmis-takable uniformity of appearance among them as a whole, so thatalmost anybody having seen one species of the group would alwaysrecognize another. Yet in minor characters there is considerabledifference among them ; and before all the group may be divided 1 M. Alix also has from au independent investigation of the osteology andmyology of Nolhwa major conie to virtually the same conclusion {Joiirn. deZoologic, iii. pp. 169 and 252, pis. ) TINAMOU 965 into two subfamilies, the first, TinmnhiR\ having four toes, Jind tliosecond, Thmmotidlwx, having but three—the latter containing, sofar as is known, but two genera, Calopezus with a single speciesand Tinamotis Avith two, while the former, according to and Salvia (lit supra), may be separated into seven genera,two being Tinamus and JVothocercus, characterized by the roughnessof their posterior tarsal scales, the others. Crypturus, Bhynchotus,NothopTOcta, Nothwra and Taoniscus, having smooth Rufous Tinamou (Rhyndhotus rufescens). To the ordinary spectator Tinamous have much the look ofPartridges, but the more attentive observer will notice that theirelongated bill, their small head and slender neck, clothed Avith veryshort feathers, give them a different air. The plumage is generallyinconspicuous : some tint of brown, ranging from rufous to slaty,and often more or less closely barred with a darker shade or black,is the usual style of coloration ; but certain species are characterizedby a white throat or a bay breast. The wings are short androunded, and in some forms the feathers of the tail, which in allare hidden by their coverts, are soft. In bearing and gait the birdsshew some resemblance to their distant relatives the Batitx, and shews {Proc. Zool. Sor. 1868, p. 115, pi. xii.) that this isespecially seen in the newly-hatched young. He also notices thestill stronger Katite character, that the male takes on himself theduty of incubat
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1896
