308 BIRDS. 



drawn from some of the appendages of the head. In order, however, to 

 avoid an excessive multiplication of beings, we shall associate certain ge- 

 nera with them, whose feet are deficient in fhat membrane, some of 

 which, the Pigeons, connect the Gallinaceae with the Passerinae, while the 

 others, the Hoazins, Buff., somewhat approximate to the Touracos. 



A LECTOR*, Merr. 



The Hoccos are large Gallinaceae of America, which resemble Turkeys, 

 with a broad, rounded tail, formed of large and stiff quills. There is a 

 singular conformation in the trachea of several of them. They live in 

 the woods, feed on buds and fruit, perch and build on trees, are very 

 social, and easily domesticated. Gmelin and Latham have divided them 

 into Hoccos and Yacous, but upon very undetermined characters. We 

 subdivide them in the following manner: 



The Hoccos, properly so called, Buff. — Mitous, of Brazil, &c. — 

 Crax, Lin. 



Have a strong bill, its base surrounded with a skin, which is sometimes 

 highly coloured, in which the nostrils are pierced; on the head is a tuft of 

 long, narrow, erect feathers, curled at the tips. They are the size of 

 Turkeys, and, like them, fly up into trees. They are hred by the Ame- 

 ricans; and individuals are sometimes sent to Europe, so variously co- 

 loured, that we are at a loss how to characterize their species. The most 

 common, or 



Crax alector, L. ; Mitou-Poranpa, Marcgr. ; Buff. Ois. II, pi. 

 xiii; Vieill. Galer. J 99. Black; the lower part of the belly white ; 

 cera of the bill, yellow. The trachea makes but one slight curve 

 before it enters the thorax. Some of these hirds, such as 



Crax globicera, L,, Enl. 86; Edw. 295, 1, have a larger or 

 smaller globular tubercle on the base of the bill. Among both of 

 these species individuals are to be found in which the body is irre- 

 gularly striped with white or farni colour. Albin. II. 32f. The 

 whole upper part is sometimes fawn-coloured;{:. Those of Peru, 



Crax rubra, L., Enl. 125, are all of a vivid chestnut colour above, 

 the head and neck being variegated with black and white||, 



OURAX, Citv. 



The Pauxi § have a shorter and thicker bill, the membrane of its base 

 as well as the greater part of their head being covered with a short and 

 dense plumage resembling velvet. The most common species, 



* J'ertor is the Greek name of the cock. 



t This appears to be the true Mexican Hoa::!n of Hernandez. 



J Sucli is the female described by Azzara, Voy. IV. p. 169. From the accounts 

 of other travellers, it appears that the females, also, are fawn-coloured. 



II See also Cra.r fasnolata, Spix, LXII, a;—C. Blum-nharhii, Id. LXIV. Add, 

 Crax glob'dosa, Id. LXV and LXVI;— C. rubiros'rls, Id. LXVII. 



§ Pauxi is the name by which Hernandez designates them. Ourax, the Athenian 

 name for the Heath-Cock. 



