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THE CURASSOWS. 201 
I. THE CRESTED CURASSOW. CRAX ALECTOR. 
G7ax alecior, Vann. S. N.1. p. 269 (1766) ; Selater, Trans. ZS. 
Deep. 2777p xi (1875); Ogilvie Grant) Cat brit 
Mus. xxii. p. 475 (1893). 
Crax mitre (nec \..), Vieillot, Gal. Ois. ii. pl. 199 (1825). 
Crax sloanet, Reichenb. Tauben, p. 131 (1862). 
Crax erythrognatha, Sclater and Salvin, P. Z. S. 1877, p. 22; 
Selater,, lirans. Z./S..x. p. 543, pl. xe. (1870): 
Adult Male.—General colour black, glossed with purple, except 
the belly, flanks, and under tail-coverts, which are zw4z?e, crest 
uniform black, tail not tipped with white ; zo swollen knob at 
the base of the upper mandible nor wattles on the sides of the 
lower ; cere and base of bill yellow, the tip horny blue. Total 
length, 34 inches ; wing, 15 ; tail, 13; tarsus, 4°5. 
Adult Female.—Like the male, but the feathers of the crest 
with a few white bars. Rather smaller; wing, 14 inches. 
Range.—Northern South America. Rio Negro, Rio Branco, 
Rio Vaupé, British Guiana, and the United States of Colombia. 
Habits.—According to Sonnini this species is very numerous 
in French Guiana and met with in large flocks in the vast forests 
which cover the greater part of that country. He found it of a 
remarkably tame and confiding disposition, and by no means 
afraid of his presence, but in the more inhabited parts it was 
much wilder. It appears to nest during the rainy season, 
which in Guiana lasts for seven or eight months. 
The “Mituporanga” generally keeps to the mountain forests, 
perching on the high trees; and passes much of its time on the 
ground searching for fruits, which form its chief diet. Tame 
examples of this species are frequently to be seen in the streets 
of the town of Cayenne, and may be observed entering all the 
houses in the most fearless manner, and searching beneath the 
tables for food. 
Mr. C. B. Brown met with large numbers of this species 
along the banks of the River Corentyne, and was able to 
