TIIK IlEH flR.VSSOW. 395 



and complete dispersion. The establisliment of tlic Zoological Societj' has, liowcAer, 

 greatly tended to counteract the CA'il to which he also refers, and may secure tlie 

 naturalisation among us of the curassows. 



Though commonly placed in the Rasorial order, the curassows recede from its tj'pical 

 characters in several important particulars. The principal of these occurs in tlie struc- 

 ture of the hinder toe, which is very long, far more robust than in the common fowl, and 

 placed but little above the level of the anterior portion of the foot. In the remarkable 

 modification which is thus presented, in so important a part of the organisation of birds, 

 they offer an approximation to the Insessorial or perching order. This is further con- 

 firmed bj' their habit, connected with their conformation, of perching and building their 

 nests on the branches of the tallest trees of the forest which they inhabit. 



The curassows are distinguished by a biU of moderate length and considerable thick- 

 ness, deeper than broad, covered at the base with a naked cere, with the upper mandible 

 curved and vaiilted from the base to the point, and sometimes surmounted by a gibbous 

 protuberance ; their nostrUs are lateral, longitudmal, partly covered above, and open in 

 front ; their head ornamented with long curled feathers, forming a closely-tufted crest ; 

 their wings short ; theii- tail rather long and formed of twelve broad pens ; their legs 

 moderately long, thick, and spiirless ; and their toes foiu" in number, the three anterior 

 united by a membrane as far as the first joint. 



THE RED Ct-RASSOW.* 



This bii-d is rather larger than the common or crested species. "When fully grown, its 

 total length is nearly three feet. It is found, in its wild state, in South America. It is 

 easily accustomed to the climate of England. M. Teraminck states, that it was formerl}' 

 bred in the menagerie of M. Ameshoff without any difficulty ; and that its flesh is white, 

 verj' succulent, and of exquisite flavour. 



We proceed now to some specimens of the Phasianidte, with which all our readers are 

 well acquainted, so far as their general appearance is concerned — the Turkeys ; of which 

 we shall pi-oceed to notice the wild and the domestic birds, the Ilondvu-as Turkey, which 

 is very remarkable for its splendour of appearance, and the curious Brush Tm-key of 

 Australia, recently introduced to oiu- notice by the indefatigable and most intelligent 

 naturaKst, Mr. Gould. 



* Crax nibra. — Linn. 



