CRESXED CARIAMA. 251 



Habits. It is perhaps between the Screamers, Trumpeters, (Psophia,) and 

 the Cranes, that this remarkable bird must be placed. Inhabiting the great 

 solitary mountain-plains, surrounded by forests, which extend over a large 

 portion of Brazil, yielding a dwelling-place to this bird (it is also found, but 

 more rarely, in Paraguay) where its loud sonorous voice breaks the silence 

 of the desert ; it is almost always on the watch, and very difficult to ap- 

 proach ; it is also an extremely shy bird, stalking slowly over the jilain, it 

 descries some intruder at a distance, and in a moment decides that it will 

 remain or fly. Those who have had the best opportunities of observing 

 these birds in their native wilds, assert that their capture is accomplished 

 with considerable difficultj- : as soon as it perceives that it is pursued, it sets 

 off with great rajjidity followed by the horseman, and, like the Ostrich, so 

 rapid is its course, with many turns and \vindings, that it is not till after 

 a long pursuit, that the bird, wearied out, crouches or hides itself in some 

 friendly bush or tree, — and till such time as this happen, the jjursuer in 

 vain seeks to use his fowling piece or lasso. 



The Cariama is said to feed on reptiles, insects, and seeds in its wild state, 

 but in confinement, it will not refuse Indian corn, and, occasionally, small 

 pieces of flesh. It flies badly, and rarely (if closely pressed) takes wing. 

 Wild as this bird is, it is easily domesticated, and peaceably associates with 

 other tenants in his cage. The flesh is described as palatable ; it is however 

 rarely used as food by the Brazilians. 



The nest is said to be composed of dry sticks and branches covered with 

 dung, and placed upon a low or moderately high tree. The eggs are gener- 

 ally two in number, sometimes, but rarely three, and white. 



Digestive organs. The tongue of tliis bird measures one inch and a quarter 

 in length, being rounded at the tip and horny, having a row of papillae at 

 its base, and measui-ing in width at this part, four-twelfths of an inch. 



Trachea, in length, nine inches and a half, six-twelfths of an inch in 

 breadth at its commencement, continuing the same calibre to the extent of 

 its caitilaginous rings ; the remainder of trachea of nearly equal breadth, 

 (which is about four-twelfths of an inch,) having two powerful muscles at- 

 tached at about a quarter of an inch above its bronchial division. 



Bronchi composed of twelve distinct rings. 



Hyoid bones greatly developed, with powerful muscles attached. 



(Esophagus extremely villous, of nearly equal circumference through its 

 entire length (measuring, when distended, three inches.) 



Proventriculous belt one inch and a quarter in depth, the glandules of 

 which are highly developed. 



Gizzard of moderate power ; in length two inches and a quarter, width 

 one inch and a quarter, depth one inch and eleven-twelfths of an inch (this 

 organ, upon dissection, contained several large stones, swallowed for the 

 purpose of aiding digestion.) 



