CURASSO-BIRD AND COMMON PHEASANT. 203 



THE CURASSO-BIRD. 



This bird is nearly as large as a hen-turkey. The bill 

 is black at the point, and covered at the base with a 

 yellow skin. Between the nostrils is a round hard knob 

 resembling wax ; and on the head there is a crest of long 

 black feathers, which project forward at the points. The 

 whole body is of a deep shining black, reflecting blue 

 and purple shades ; except the lower part of the belly, 

 and the coverts under the tail. 



The curasso-bird is frequent in Guinea, and constitutes 

 a considerable portion of the food of the planters. The 

 flesh resembles that of a turkey. It is easily domes- 

 ticated ; and is frequently found in the Dutch settlements 

 of Berbice, Essequibo, and Demerara. 



TiIE COMMON PHEASANT. 



Next to the peacock, the pheasant is the most beautiful 

 of the winged tribes ; both for the vivid colour of its 

 plumes, and their delightful mixture and variety. No 

 efforts of the pencil can produce any thing so glossy and 

 brilliant, or so delicately blended. It is reported that 

 Croesus, king of Lydia, when seated on his throne in all 

 the pomp of eastern splendour, asked Solon if he had 

 ever seen any thing so magnificent. The philosopher, 

 unawed by majesty, and priding himself on his native 

 freedom and simplicity, replied, that, after having seen 

 the plumage of the pheasant, he could be dazzled by no 

 other finery. 



The pheasant, however, is not only beautiful to the 

 eye, but is also a peculiar delicacy for the table ; but, as 

 if shunning the protection of men, it loves to inhabit the 

 thickest woods, and most unfrequented parts of the forest. 

 Though removed from its native warm and genial climates, 

 it still preserves its innate predilection for freedom ; and 

 now lives wild and untamed among us, ornamenting our 

 parks and forests ; where it feeds on acorns, berries, and 

 grain. 



K 6 



