234 



NATURAL III STORY OF BIRDS. 



crcLc, and 'he full-foathcred rcciirvcfl ercst, swolloii ciilmcn, and fli-sliy wattles pendant 

 from tlie liasp of tlic ni:nidllilc- of t\w K|ii'cio8 of Craje. The j)liiinajj;e is mostly black 

 and whitf ; the fonialcs, wliuii tla-y do difTt-r from the males, wliii-h is but seldom, being 

 generally rufous on the underparts, with the back and wings mottled with light brown 

 or white. The eurassows inhabit Central and Soutli Ameriea, only one sjieeies, Crax 

 globiceru, being found north of Panama, ranging into western Mexico. Xothocrax 

 uritmiitum is said to have one habit which causes it to differ from all other members 



Kn;. 111. — Crax attcUtr^ crcHtcd curni^sow. 



of the sub-family, and one which ni:ikts tlio bird extremely diflieult to capture, and 

 tliis is, its custom of living in iiunows or holes in the ground. The natives state that 

 it remains in its place of concealment during the day, coming out at night and ascend- 

 ing to the top branches of the loftiest trees in search of food. The Indians take up 

 tlieir jiositions in the forest where they first hear the birds, remaining all iiiixht, and 

 shoot them just before sunrise as they descend to return to tlieir uiidergrouml abodes. 

 -Ml the curassows have very gentle and confiding dispositions, are easily tamed, breed 

 well in cai)tivity, and in their native countries are fie<]iiently kept by the inhabitants 



