CRACID.E. o55 



are mucli souglit after by the natives, both as food 

 and as pet animals. Like the rest of the order, they 

 subsist indiscriminately upon worms, insects, fruits, 

 and the seeds of plants. Their nests are built on 

 trees, and formed of sticks interlaced with stalks of 

 herbaceous plants, and lined with leaves. The eggs 

 are five or six in number. 



The Common Curassow {Crax Alector) is nearly as large 

 as a Turkey, iiieasuriug about three feet in its total height. 

 Its plumage is of a shining black, exhibiting purple and 

 green tints according to the direction in which the light 

 falls upon the feathers. The bill is stout and black, but 

 the l)asal part of l)oth mandibles is occupied by a large 

 yellow cere, and the eyes are surrounded by a naked skin 

 of the same colour. These birds, which are also called 

 " Hoccos," are found in great flocks in the forests of 

 ti'opical America. They exhibit very little fear of man, 

 but when in the vicinity of human habitations they 

 become more cautious, and are seldom seen more than 

 two or three together. They are easily domesticated, 

 and then become very familiar, recognizing those who 

 feed them, and even pulling at their clothes when they 

 thiuk themselves neglected. This bii-d has bred freely in 

 Holland ; it lays its eggs on the ground, and the young 

 run as soon as thev are hatched. 



