444 GAME-BIRDS. 



and Central America to Colombia ; and, as might be expected, the bird varies some- 

 what in the different parts of its range. The aburria (Aburria aburri) includes 

 but a single species found in the United States of Colombia and Ecuador, and may 

 be at once recognised by its black plumage glossed with dark green, and the worm- 

 like wattle situated on the naked part of the fore-neck. Finally, there are two 

 species with the chin, throat, and fore-part of the neck covered with feathers com- 

 prising the last genus (Chawyxpetes). 



THE HOATZIX. 

 Family OPISTHOCOMIDJS. 



The very remarkable pheasant-like bird from the northern and western 

 districts of South America, known as the hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoatziri), appears 

 on the whole to be most nearly allied to the game-birds, and may therefore be 

 mentioned here. Many ornithologists regard it, indeed, as representing a distinct 

 order, but as the Editor does not see the advantage of unnecessarily multiplying 

 ordinal terms, it is alluded to here merely as forming a family. On examining the 

 skeleton of this bird, which has many striking peculiarities, the observer will be 

 struck by the form of the breast-bone, with its nearly parallel lateral edges and 

 feebly developed keel, of which the anterior part is cut away, and the posterior 

 portion broad and flattened out. On this flattened surface the greater part of 

 the weight of the body is supported when the bird is at rest. Another striking 

 feature is the shoulder-girdle, the bones of which are completely welded to one 

 another as well as to the breast-bone. The crop is enormous, and occupies the 

 upper portion of the chest, being placed in a deep cavity in the pectoral muscles. 

 The nest of these birds, which is built of sticks and placed in bushes near the 

 water's edge, contains two or three, and sometimes as many as five oval-shaped 

 eggs of a white colour, doubly spotted with rufous and purple, and remarkably 

 rail-like in character. Unusual interest attaches to the young, which are hatched 

 naked, with the thumb and index-finger provided with well-developed claws, en- 

 abling them to climb about among the branches soon after they are hatched ; the 

 bill, as well as the legs and wings, being used for holding on to the twigs. Moreover, 

 when compelled, they are able to swim and dive with equal facility. The hoatzin 

 spends its existence among the branches, consuming enormous quantities of leaves, 

 and in spite of its large wings, possesses only the most limited powers of flight. 



THE BUSTARD-QUAILS or HEMIPODES. 

 Family TURNICIDJE. 



The little bustard-quails, usually included among the game-birds, and associated 

 with the quails, are, however, so extremely distinct that they are frequently regarded 

 as forming an order equal in importance though not in numbers to the Gallinae. 

 While in some respects they approach both the pigeons and game-birds, their 

 affinities with the rails are undoubted, and we prefer, therefore, to leave their serial 



