242 GALLIFORMES CHAP. 
young. The syrinx has one pair of muscles inserted on the distal 
end of the trachea. 
The Hoatzin or “ Anna,” which is about the size of a Pigeon, 
ranges from Colombia to the Lower Amazons and Bolivia, where 
it haunts the sides of lagoons, creeks, and rivers covered with a 
thick growth of low trees or 
bushes, which project over the 
stream or the mud left bare by 
the tide. In these tangled soli- 
tudes it skulks during the heat 
of the day, while at other times it 
may be observed squatting upon 
the branches,mainly supported on 
the patch of hardened skin already 
mentioned. When disturbed 
the bird flies off awkwardly for 
some forty yards with a violent 
flapping motion, or progresses 
by leaps from bough to bough, 
erecting its crest and expanding 
its wings and tail. The note is 
sharp and shrill, and has been 
described as ’a hissing screech. 
The food consists of leaves and 
fruit of the prickly Drepano- 
carpus lunulatus, of the Aroid 
Montrichardia  arborescens, of 
Avicennia nitida, and of a species 
of Psidiwm. The conspicuous 
nest,placed on low trees or shrubs, 
Frc. 49.—Hoatzin. is a loose platform of spiny twigs 
OETA TRUS ee: and sticks with a softer lining, 
which contains from three to five yellowish-white eggs of a Rail-like 
appearance, spotted with reddish-brown and lilac. The young, which 
‘an see and run as soon as they are hatched, have a claw on both 
index and pollex, by means of which they creep about the thickets 
and hook themselves over the branches, assisted by the bill and 
feet. They can also swim and dive. A strong musky odour is given 
off by the adults, whence they are termed “ Stinking Pheasants ” 
in Guiana, The male has been asserted to be polygamous. 
