GALLINACE.E. 329 



are not yet so diffused as to be considered common 

 poultry-birds with us, yet, from the success of the 

 Zoological Society's eiforts, and more especially of 

 those of M. Ameshoif, in Holland, the question of 

 their becoming so is no longer doubtful. Gentle and 

 inoffensive in their disposition ; staid and quiet in 

 their manners ; of large size, and savoury flesh ; they 

 may be expected amply to repay the trouble of their 

 domestication ; and the prosecution of such experi- 

 ments as these is one of the most obvious uses of the 

 Zoological and similar societies. 



The Curassows, of which there are many species, 

 including the Guans (Penelope*), are nearly as large as 

 a Turkey, and, like that bird, are almost invariably 

 of a deep black, glossed with metallic reflections. 

 One species, however, (C. Rubra,) is of a deep chest- 

 nut brown. Some of them are adorned with a crest 

 composed of short curled feathers, which look like a 

 number of little globules. In some particulars they 

 resemble the Perchers, such as the level of their toes, 

 and their consequent arboreal habits, perching, and 

 building their nests on the loftiest trees. They live 

 in flocks in South America. 



Meleagris^ the Turkey. 



For this noble bird, also, we are indebted to the 

 American Continent, but to the northern division of 

 it. A second species, however, (M. Ocellata,) of 



* The name of an ancient Greek matron. 



f MsXeay^j, meleagris, the Greek name of the Guinea Fowl. 



