THE GALLINACEAE, OR DOMESTIC BIRDS.
The family of Birds to which our domestic fowls belong is a very large one. It is known as the family of Gallinaceous Birds. The word is derived from the Latin gallina, a hen, and gallus, a cock. The many different Birds and Fowls found under this family are usually divided into six groups, and these may be readily classified without their long Latin names to designate them.
In the first we find the different kinds of Grouse, the Cock of the Plains, the Heathcock, the Hazel Hen and others of the same nature, that resemble our Hens and Roosters, and care for their chickens in the same manner. Under the second group we find the Quail, the Colin, the Partridge, etc., that are well known in this country and in Europe. The Birds under the third group belong to South America, and are representatives of the Partridge on that continent. The birds belonging to the fourth group are the Chionides of Australia and New Zealand. In size they are between our Partridge and Pigeon. They live near the sea-beach, and feed on the sea-weed and dead Fishes that are thrown up by the waves.
In the fifth group are found a queer family of birds with straight slender bills and feet that are furnished with long, sharp claws. These birds are also found in Australia and they have a peculiar habit of laying each of their eggs in a separate hole, then covering each with a large mound, scraped together by the Birds; and the eggs are then left to be hatched by the sun. The Bush-turkeys of Australia and New Guinea also belong to this group.
The sixth group comprises our Pheasants, Peacocks, Guinea Fowls, Curassows and Turkeys. The handsomest Birds belonging to the family of domestic Fowls—the Peacocks, Golden Pheasants, etc., are found in this group.