CRACIDJE, OR CURASSOW-BIRDS. PHASIANID^. 



477 



easily tamed. Many of them approach the Turkey in magni- 

 tude ; and their flesh in delicacy and whiteness surpasses that of 

 the Fowl or Pheasant. They feed on berries and on various 

 sorts of game. In many parts of South America, these Birds 

 have been long domesticated ; and there is no doubt that they 



might be profitably intro- 

 duced into Europe, since it 

 has been proved that they 

 readily become habituated 

 to its climate, and that they 

 thrive as well, and breed as 

 rapidly, in confinement, as 

 do ordinary Poultry. The 

 Crested Curassow is one of 

 the most common Birds of 

 Guiana; living in the forests, 

 and on the borders of the 

 cultivated tracts; and build- 

 ing its nest on trees. It 

 congregates in large troops ; 

 and is extremely unsuspicious of danger, except when it has been 

 frequently molested. This species has been bred in Holland ; 

 and is common in a domestic state in Berbice, Essequibo, and 

 elsewhere ; it requires little care, but needs plenty of room, a 

 dry soil and sheltered situation, and trees on which to perch. 

 It is found also in Mexico and Brazil, its range being thus 

 very extensive. 



431. In the family PHASIANIDJE, or Pheasant tribe, the hind 

 toe is placed higher on the tarsus than the front ones, so that 

 only the tip touches the ground ; and the tarsus of the male is 

 generally furnished with one or more spurs (Fig. 271). This 

 group includes, with the Common Fowls, the Peacocks, Phea- 

 sants, Turkeys, Partridges, &c., of various parts of the world ; 

 all of which agree in these characters, and in their general mode 

 of life. The native country of the true Fowls appears to be 

 India, in the jungles of which these Birds abound, their food 

 consisting of grain, seeds, &c. They are characterised by the 



FIG. 270. CRESTED CURASSOW. 



