Cassell's book of birds; vol. 3Brehm, Alfred Edmund
Science
Cassell's book of birds; vol. 3
Brehm, Alfred Edmund
Birds
Another specimen, purchased at a high price by Dr. Bennett, was presented
by him to the Zoological Gardens, London, where it lived for several
months. Its skin is now in the British Museum. Of this bird Dr. Bennett
says that, while in his possession, "it never became domesticated, nor
evinced the slightest attachment to the lady who fed it; it was the same
to her as to strangers." Dr. Bennett does not consider the Didunculus
a bird which could be readily reconciled to captivity; "for some time
it would be comparatively tame, and then, without any apparent cause to
account for the change, it would become very wild." Walpole says that the
Didunculus makes its nest on the ground, and that both parents incubate
the eggs.
* * * * *
TRUE GALLINACEOUS BIRDS.
The TRUE GALLINACEOUS BIRDS are so named because they present a general
resemblance, both in their structure and habits, to our common Barn-door
Fowls. They are usually of a moderate or rather large size, and of a
stout and somewhat heavy build. They have a small head, often partially
or wholly denuded of feathers, and a bill of moderate length, of which
the upper mandible is distinctly arched and overhangs the lower, both at
the tip and along the margins. As they are all essentially terrestrial in
their habits, their legs are always strong and well-developed. The tarsi
are stout, and very commonly armed with a spur, or even with two or more
such weapons, which are especially developed in the males. The toes are
three in front and one behind, the latter being usually small and slightly
elevated on the back of the tarsus, but sometimes more elongated, and
then placed upon the same level as the other toes, so as to be efficient
in grasping. The anterior toes are not very long, but stout, and often
united by webs at their base; they are armed with strong, but rather blunt
nails, which are of great use in scratching up the ground in search of
food--a habit common to most of the species, from which, indeed, many
ornithologists give them the name of RASORES, or SCRAPERS. The feathers
of the legs are continued down to the articulation of the tarsus, and
sometimes extend beyond this point, even to the extremities of the toes.
The wings are generally short and weak in comparison with the weight of
the body, so that they fly heavily and only to short distances. Their
plumage is firm and often adorned with brilliant colours, and parts of
it, especially in the males, are frequently developed to an extraordinary
extent, sometimes giving them a grotesque appearance. The feathers are
remarkable for the great development of the accessory plumules springing
from the base of the stem at its junction with the quill.
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