Notes on the Trumpeter Bird. 491 



other birds on the ground, as the toucans are among the trees; 

 it domineers likewise over hogs, and various other animals, 

 jumping up and scratching with such violent motions, as ra- 

 ther to intimidate than conquer by fair combat. 



The waracoba may with propriety be regarded as a real 

 ventriloquist ; the sound of its note actually proceeding from 

 its belly, although by some naturalists supposed to proceed 

 from the anus. This is the cause of that singular sound which 

 has induced naturalists to give it the name of Psophia crepi- 

 tans. M. de la Condamine is of opinion that this sound arises 

 from an organ quite opposite to that of the throat. M. Fer- 

 min observes that the most learned naturalists are ignorant of 

 its precise position, but he thinks it may one day or other be 

 discovered.* 



Dr. Traill dissected one of these birds, which was sent home 

 by an active and spirited naturalist, Mr. Charles Parker, of 

 Liverpool. An interesting account of the same has been pub- 

 lished by the Doctor ; but it does not elucidate the present 

 question, respecting the organ of voice. Nor does M. Cuvier 

 afford any additional information on the subject : the species 

 best known in South America is, he says, "L'oiseau trompette, 

 {Psophia crepitans, Lin.), ainsi nomme de la faculte de faire 

 entendre un son sourd et profond, que semble d'abord venir 

 de Tanus." f 



It should be observed that the male only utters this sound, 

 and the cause thereof is evident in the peculiar structure of 

 the trachea or windpipe, which runs down the belly immedi- 

 ately under the skin, to within about an inch of the anus, 

 where it is doubled back upon itself, returns and enters the 

 cavity of the chest, at the anterior part of the breast bone. — 

 No dissection is required to ascertain this point ; it is indeed 

 very palpable, for the trachea is plainly felt under the skin of 

 the abdomen, and the male and female may be thus distin- 

 guished. It is doubtless, then, this conformation alone that 

 has given rise to the idea that its obscure grunting sound pro- 

 ceeds from the anus. There is nothing very peculiar or com- 

 plex in the structure of the larynx, as observed in some birds 

 of song. It has been said that the structure of the trachea 

 here noticed is not common to all the males of the same spe- 

 cies : this is singular, if true, but it seems very improbable. 



The Indians are fond of keeping the waracoba about their 

 houses, but it is seldom, if ever, known to breed in the do- 

 mestic state. Its eggs are not often discovered, as it forms 

 its nest, without much art or care, in the deepest recesses of 



*' Hist, de Surinam.' f ' Regne Animal,' torn. i. p. 506. 



