Classification As said under "Struthioniformes", Tinamous and Ratites are no longer considered two sister clades originating from the Paleognath ancestor. Tinamous are in fact nested within the nonostrich ratite tree and they are placed as sisters to the extinct New Zealand Moas. This pattern is best explained by concluding that flight was lost more than once in the descent of the volant paleognath ancestor.

Haddrath O & Baker AJ (2012): Paleognaths

Smith JV et al (2012): Ratite Nonmonophyly

Tinamous, the 47 species of ground-dwelling birds found in Central and South America, superficially resemble partridges and quail but have limited flight capability, preferring to walk or run rather than fly. Most inhabit forests, but some live in more open terrain. Drably coloured, tinamous blend into their surroundings, where they generally live alone or in small groups.

Multiple mating is the rule among tinamous, although a few species maintain stable pairs. All forms of polygamy exist, the conditions varying between and even within species.

Tinamous make their nests on the ground by simply pushing aside debris and creating a shallow depression. The eggs are among the most beautiful of all bird eggs, always monochromatic and highly glazed. The colours include light chocolate brown, near black, purple, dark bluish green, light yellowish green, and even red. It is the male who both constructs and defends the nest. Incubation, which lasts 17 to 21 days, is done entirely by the male.

tinamou (2011).  Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago : Encyclopædia Britannica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinamou