CRACID^ — THE CURASSOWS. 401 



couples met after the jjeriod of separation and repose. Wlien at length all 

 this clatter had terminated, the parties quietly betook themselves to their 

 morning meal. If surprised while thus employed, they would fly into the 

 trees above, and, peering down with stretched necks, and heads turned side- 

 ways to the ground, they would challenge the intruder with a singular and 

 oft-repeated croaking note, of which it would be difficult to give any adequate 

 idea with words alone." 



Colonel McCall adds that the volubility and singularity of its voice is its 

 most striking and remarkable trait. While on his march from Matamoras to 

 Tampico he had encamped, on the 30th of December, at the spring of Encinal, 

 whence, a short time before sunset, he rode out in search of game. Passing 

 through a woodland near the stream, his ears were saluted with a strange 

 sound that resembled somewhat the cry of the panther {Felis onca). He 

 was at a loss to what animal to as.cribe it, and, dismounting, crawled cau- 

 tiously through the thicket for some distance, until he came upon an opening 

 where there were some larger trees, from the lower branches of one of which 

 he ascertained that the sound proceeded. There he discovered a large male 

 bird of this species, ascending towards the top of the tree, and uttering this 

 hitherto unheard sound, as he sprang from branch to branch in mounting to 

 his roost. In a few moments his call was answered from a distance, and soon 

 after he was joined by a bird of the year. Others followed, coming in from 

 different quarters, and there were in a little while five or six upon the tree. 

 One of these discovered the intruder and gave the alarm. The singular cry 

 of the old bird ceased, and they all began to exhibit uneasiness and a dis- 

 position to fly, whereupon Colonel McCall shot the old bird. 



Colonel McCall also states that the eye is a remarkable feature in the liv- 

 ing birds of this species, being full of courage and animation, equal, in fact, 

 in brilliancy to that of the finest gamecock. He frequently noticed this 

 bird domesticated by the Mexicans at Matamoras, Monterey, etc., and going 

 at large about their gardens. He was assured that in that condition it not 

 unfrequently crossed with the common fowl. 



In the wild state the eggs are said to be from six to eight, never exceeding 

 the last number. They are white, without spots, and rather smaller than a 

 pullet's egg. The nest is usually on the ground, at the root of a large tree 

 or at the side of an old log,, where a hole several inches deep is scratched in 

 the ground ; this is lined with leaves, and the eggs are always carefully cov- 

 ered with the same when the female leaves them for the purpose of feeding. 

 If disturbed wdiile on her nest, she flies at the intruder with great spirit and 

 determination. 



Eggs of this species, from Matamoras, are of an oblong-oval shape, 

 equally pointed at either end, and measure 2.35 inches in length by 1.65 in 

 breadth. They are of a dirty- white color with a light tint of buff, and have 

 a slightly roughened or granulated surface. 



VOL. III. 51 



