HOATZIN.— OiJisttdcomus cristutus. 



The wings of tliis species are but weaiv, aud are unable to endure a lengthened flight. 

 It is rather remarkable tliat this species should have two distinct modes of iiight : the one 

 — -which is its most usaal method — ^is by a succession of rapid and apparently laborious 

 flapyiings ; while the other is a graceful soar, in which the bird lioats softly through the 

 air with wings extended and motionless. It never employs its wings if it can avoid 

 doing so, and even in making a short flight it avails itself of every opportunity of 

 alighting, thinking, like the unfortunate people who live in the courts of royalty, that 

 to sit whenever it gets a chance is the wisest course of conduct. 



This duplicate kiud of movement extends to its feet as well as its wings. Sometimes 

 it will take a lazy fit, aud will sit in a lumpisli drow.sy position, as if it were one of the 

 slowest birds among the feathered tribes, its body all liuddied up, and its head sunk 

 between its shoulders. But wlien roused, it leaps in a single instant from tliis apathetic 

 condition into graceful vivacity, every movement full of life aud sparkling energy, 

 traversing tlie boughs with wonderful speed, its head and neck being darted in every 

 direction, like that of a snake, its crest rapidly raised and depressed, its e^'es full of light, 

 and its voice utterinif loud and animated cries. 



