374 EASORES. 



The GROUND DOVE, Columla passerina, (Lat. Sparrow-like,) 

 is an American species, only six and three-fourths inches in 

 length, ranging from Louisiana to Cape Hatteras. 



SECOND FAMILY. The CURASSOWS. 

 Cracida, (Or. krax, from krazo, to cry out like a crow.) 



The hind toe in these birds is articulated on the same plane as 

 the others, touching the ground on its length in walking, so that 

 the foot is constructed after the model of the Perchers; hence, 

 they are much more arboreal than the Poultry-birds, form- 

 ing their nests among the branches of trees and feeding upon 

 their buds and fruit. The curved form of the claws, their com- 

 pressed sides, and their sharp points indicate that these birds are 

 not habitually occupied in walking and scratching upon the 

 ground ; the toes, unlike those of all other gallinaceous birds, are 

 destitute of any connecting membrane; the tarsi are without 

 spurs, but in other respects the Curassows conform- to the dis- 

 tinctive characters of the order. 



These birds are found in Central and South America. 



The COMMON CRESTED CURASSOWS, Crax elector, (Gr. alek- 

 tdr, a cock,) are natives of Mexico, Guiana and Brazil. They 

 are very common and furnish excellent food ; are about the size 

 of a turkey, and have the head adorned with crests of long, nar- 

 row, erectile feathers, curled at the tips. They usually perch 

 upon trees, are found in numerous flocks and easily domesticated. 

 These birds build their nests upon trees, laying but once a year; 

 the eggs are from five to eight in number, and nearly as large as 

 a turkey's. The plumage is of a deep black, with slight glosses 

 of green above; the under parts are dull white. 



The GUANS, Penelope crislata> do not differ much from the 

 Curassows in their habits. They are known in Brazil by the 

 name of Jacu, (pronounced Yacou,) derived, it is said, from their 

 note. The length is thirty inches, 



The HOAZINS, Opisthocomus, (Gr. opisthen, behind ; kome, hairs 

 or bristles,) crisiatus, live in pairs or small companies of six or 

 eight, in the flooded savannahs of South America. They seek for 

 their food the leaves of a species of arum which is found in such 

 places. Unlike other gallinaceous birds, their toes are without, 

 or have only rudimentary membranes. In stature and gait they 

 resemble the peacock. The generic name refers to the bristles 

 which* diverge from the base of the bill. The name Hoatzin, or 

 Hoazin, is given to these birds from its imagined resemblance 



