musophagid.t:. 267 



causes the flesli to have a musky smell, and to be 

 used as a bait for certain fishes. 



The Hoaitzin (Opisthocomus cristatus). The true posi- 

 tion of this curious bird must still be considered as doubtful. 

 Originally described as a Pheasant by Linnaeus, it has been 

 shifted about by different authors between the Gallina- 

 ceous and Passerine birds, its singular structure 2:)resenting 

 a combination of both. It has a large convex bill, with 

 the nostrils pierced in the middle of the upper mandible. 

 The mandibles are denticulated within the margins, and 

 the head is furnished with a large erectile crest. In 

 these, and some other ])articulars the Hoaitzm would 

 seem to approach the Musophagidse, with which Mr. G. 

 R. Gray has placed it. 



Whatever may be its due systematic position, the 

 Hoaitzin is a very remarkable bird. It is nearly as large as 

 a Peacock, which it resembles in many of its movements. 

 Its plumage is tawny-brown, with numerous white spots 

 and streaks upon the wings and tail. The naked skin 

 about its face and throat is bluish, and the elongated 

 slender feathers which form its crest are wdiite upon one 

 side and black on the other. These birds exhibit little 

 fear of man, and as their flesh possesses such a dis- 

 agreeable odour, compounded of musk and castoreum, as 

 to be quite useless for food, they are probably seldom 

 disturbed. 



