THE BIRDS OF AMERICA. 



283 



females that assemble to his call. When these have laid, 

 the males forsake them, and, after remaining solitary for a 

 while, again unite with their fellows till the following 

 season. 



The Turkey. — There is no doubt that this well-known 

 bird had its origin in North America, where it is yet to be 

 met with in a wild state. It is an example of perfect re- 

 clamation, for it has long been fully domesticated, and is 

 one of the most useful birds we have. The size and quality 

 of the flesh have been much improved, but no marked 

 varieties, as in the case of the common fowl, have as j^et 

 been obtained. 



THE CURASS0W8. 



A peculiar group of birds peculiar to the northern parts 

 of South America, where many of them are fairly common 

 in the unreclaimed parts of British Guiana. 



Family— Cracidce. 

 Genus — 1. Crax. 

 2. Mitua. 



C. alector. 

 M. tuberosa. 



M. tomentosa. 



3. Penelope. P. viaiail. 

 4. " Pipile. P. annaiiensis. 

 5. Ortalis. O. inotmot. 

 O. riificaiida. 



Crested CurassoW. 

 Razor-billed Cur- 



assow. 

 Lesser Razor-billed 



Curassow. 

 Marail Guan. 

 Piping Guan. 

 Little Guan. 

 Red-tailed Guan. 



All attempts to reclaim these large and for the most 

 part handsome birds have failed, for, unlike the turkey, 

 peacock, and guinea-fowl, they do not breed in confinement, 

 and rarely even deposit an ^^g, while thej^ are not suffi- 



