THE PHASIANID^. 



We have now come to a varied Family, bearing the name of the Phamantdw 

 Differing as its members do from eacli other in minor details, they are all united by 

 strong ties of affinity. All are bulky in body, strong in limb, and have the wings short, 

 rounded, and concave. The greater number, perhaps, roost on trees, and seek their food 

 on the ground, -which consists of gi'ain, seeds, roots, and birds, and, occasionall)', insects. 

 Their organs of digestion are in strict accordance with their diet. Receiving their food 

 into a spacious crop, it is, after due maceration, conducted to the gizzard, where it is 

 reduced to a pulp. These birds have the peculiar habits of scratching in the ground and 

 of rolling- in tlie dust. Among them are found our domestic poultry, and many birds 

 remarkable for their beaiaty, of which the pheasants and the peacocks may be mentioned 

 as examples. 



In this family we find 



THE Gr.^N.f 



This bird has long been domesticated in the ponltry-yards of South America. It 

 measures, when fully grown, about thirty inches in total length, of which the tail 

 constitutes thirteen or fourteen. The upper surface of the body is of a dusky black or 

 bronze colour, with a gloss of green, which Ijecomes olive in certain positions with regard 

 to light. There are long feathers at the back of the head, which form a thickly-tufted 

 crest, capable of being raised or depressed at pleasure. A black stripe passes backwards 

 from the under part of the bill, and encircles the ear. Tiie fore part of the neck and 

 breast are sj)otted with white, each of the feathers being surrounded by a white border ; 

 as is also the case with the belly and the legs, which have somewhat of a reddish tinge. 

 The naked cheeks, extending from the bill to the eyes, are of a purplish violet ; the iris 

 reddish-brown ; the bill blackish ; and the legs red. From the naked part of the throat, 

 which is of a bright scarlet, depends a more or less considerable fold of the skin, of the 

 same colour, which is cither elongated or entirely retracted in conformity with the state 

 of excitement or inaction of the bird. 



The female chiefly differs from the male externally in the whole plumage, and 

 especiallj- the under parts, having a decided tinge of red. 



These birds, in a wild state, inhabit Guiana and Brazil, and probably extend still 

 further to the north. Their food consists principally of seeds and roots, Avhich they 

 search for and cat on the ground ; but the greater part of their existence is passed upon 

 trees. On tlic tops of these they perch, and among their branches the guans build tlieir 

 nests. The females lay from two to five eggs. Their flight, like that of most galli- 

 naceous birds, is low and heavy ; and even then it is greatly aided by the tail, the 

 feathers of which may be expanded in the sliapc of a fan. 



All tlio birds of this genus appear to be known in Erazil by a name which is 

 pronounced Jacou, which is supposed to be derived from their note. Tlic structure of the 

 trachea shows that this must be extremely hnid ; and a scientific traveller asserts, that 

 when a considerable number of them are collected near the same spot, the very woods 

 re-echo with their clamorous cries. 



They are described as furiiisliing an excellent dish for the table. It is stated by 

 M. Temminck, that the proprietor of a menagerie near Utrecht bred tlieiu fnr several 

 years; and it seems that, with proper care and attenlidii, flujse birds nii^-ht easilv be 

 added to our domestic fowls. 



* I'cndopc (.'i-iHtnta. — Giiifl. 



