Tinamides.
All the birds of this family belong to South America. They are the representatives of the Partridge on that continent. Their essential characteristics are—a slender and medium-sized beak; tarsi rather long, and provided with nodosities; the back toe either very short or altogether wanting—at all events, no use in walking can be made of it from its elevated position; the wings and tail short, the latter sometimes deficient.
This family comprises four genera, all very closely allied to one another; these are the Tinamus, the Nothures, the Rhyncotes, and the Eudromes. We shall confine our remarks to their nature and characteristics.
These birds are naturally stupid, and cannot habituate themselves to captivity. They live in small flocks, except during the breeding season. They fly heavily, always in a straight line, but are swift runners. Some species manifest such sluggishness that they will remain the entire day without moving, and will not even take the trouble to escape from their enemies. They have the habit of rolling themselves in the dust, and frequent indifferently cultivated ground, grassy meadows, or thick woods. Except in rare instances, they roost upon the ground. They are crepuscular—that is, they seek their food in the early mornings and evenings, and even by moonlight. Their selection of nutriment is frugivorous, granivorous, insectivorous, and vermivorous. They make their nests on the ground, and lay twice a year seven or eight eggs. Their flesh is good, and much sought after.
Tinamus tataupa (Swainson) may be taken as a representative of the order. Mr. Darwin, in his "Journal of Researches in the Countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle," describes this bird.