THE SICKT.E-WINGED CUANS. 255 



female defends her young with great spirit ; for one day, while 

 traversing the forest, a female of this species attempted to stop 

 me, passing so close that I could almost have caught her in my 

 hand; then with loud cries, having attacked my dog, almost strik- 

 ing him with her wings, she took up a position on a neigh- 

 bouring tree. It was not till I had shot her that I perceived 

 that she had been defending her young, for on searching about 

 I soon discovered her empty nest, and next day found one of 

 her chicks in the same neighbourhood. 



" During moonlight nights one often hears their strange 

 cries. At Cococh6 they are hunted on such nights, for at 

 other times they are very wild, and their flesh is much 

 esteemed. They feed on the ground, and, when the fruits 

 of the " Nectardes " are ripe, feed principally on them. 



"One generally finds these birds singly or in pairs, and I have 

 only once met with a flock of a dozen birds. The inhabitants 

 usually call this bird Pava negra, a name applied to Fipile at 

 Moyobamba, where the Aburri receives the name 'Uante.' 

 When only winged, these birds run so quickly that they are 

 frequently lost to the sportsman." 



Nest. — Placed on the top of a low tree, and principally com- 

 posed of sticks and leaves. 



Eggs. — Usually two in number. Broad ovals ; shell pure 

 white, grained. Measurements, 2-65 by 2 inches. 



THE SICKLE-WINGED GUANS. GENUS CIIAM/EPETES. 



ChamcEj^etes, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1227. 

 Type, C. goiidoti (Less.). 



Sexes similar in plumage. 



The width of the upper mandible greater than the height. 

 The fore-part of the neck, as well as the chin and throat, entirely 

 feathered. No wattle. A nailed space round the eye. 



