400 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



are inactive, and for the most of the time sit about in flocks in these thickets, 

 feeding on leaves. The Mexican name of Chacalacca is supposed to be de- 

 rived from the noise with which at times they make tlie valleys ring, 

 and which may be well imitated in kind, but not in strength, by putting the 

 most stress upon the last two syllables. No sooner does one take up the 

 song than others chime in from all quarters, till, apparently exhausted, the 

 noise gradually dies off into an interlude, only to be again renewed. These 

 concerts take place in the morning and evening. The birds are quite gen- 

 tle, are easily tamed, and are said to cross with the common domestic fowl. 



Mr. Dresser states that the Chacalacca is very common near Matamoras 

 and Brownsville, and that in the autumn great numbers are exposed for 

 sale in the market of the latter place. The Mexicans are said to hold it 

 in high esteem for its fighting qualities, and often keep it in a domesticated 

 state and cross it with the common fowl, making use of the hybrid for cock- 

 fightiug. Mr. Dresser was so informed by many Mexicans, upon whose word 

 he placed reliance, and was an eyewitness of a fight in which one of these 

 hybrids was engaged. Mr. Dresser had a tame one, when at Matamoras, 

 that became so familiar that he could hardly keep it out of his room. 

 This bird would occasionally go away for a day or two, and pay a visit to 

 the poultry belonging to a neighbor ; whenever he missed it, he had only to 

 go to a poultry-yard near the house, where it could generally be found. 



This species was first taken w^ithin the United States by Colonel McCall, 

 who obtained it in Texas, and who enjoyed and improved unusually good 

 opportunities to observe the habits and manners of this bird. From his 

 notes, quoted by Mr. Cassin, we give the following : — 



" This very gallant-looking and spirited bird I saw for the first time 

 within our territory in the extensive forests of chaparral which envelop the 

 Eesaca de la Palma. Here, and for miles along the Lower Eio Grande, it 

 was abundant ; and throughout this region the remarkable and sonorous 

 cry of the male bird could not fail to attract and fix the attention of the 

 most obtuse or listless wanderer who might chance to approach its abode. 

 By the Mexicans it is called Chiac-chia-lacca, an Indian name, with- 

 out doubt derived from the peculiar cry of the bird, which strikingly resem- 

 bles a repetition of these syllables. And when I assure you that its voice, 

 in compass, is equal to that of the Guinea-fowl, and in harshness but little 

 inferior, you may form some idea of the chorus with which the forest is 

 made to ring at the hour of sunrise. At that hour, in the month of April, I 

 have observed a proud and stately fellow descend from the tree on which he 

 had roosted, and, mounting upon an old log or stump, commence his clear, 

 shrill cry. This was soon responded to in a lower tone by the female, the 

 latter always taking up the strain as soon as the importunate call of her 

 mate had ceased. Thus alternating, one pair after another would join in 

 the matutinal chorus, and, before the rising sun had lighted up their close re- 

 treat, the woods would ring with the din of a hundred voices, as the happy 



