THE CURASSOWS. 



129 



subsist. Instead of washing themselves in water, the game-birds generally dust themselves in 

 mould or sand. The eggs are numerous, and are generally placed on the ground without any attempt 

 at forming a nest, and as a rule the game-birds are polygamous. When the chickens are hatched they 

 are able to shift for themselves, and are in most respects stronger than the young of other birds. 



THE FIRST FAMILY OF THE GAME-BIRDS THE CURASSOWS (CraciJa}. 



These birds are found only in the Neotropical regions, being confined to Central and South 

 America. About fifty species are known, and they are divided into three sub-families, the Cracince, 



CHESTED CTRASSOW. 



or true Ourassows ; the Guans (Penelopi-nce) ; and the Mountain Curassows (Oreophasina-). Many of 

 the Curassows are very beautiful birds, having large curly crests and fleshy knobs on their bills. In 

 colour they are sombre, being black and white, or dusky grey, the only ones at all brightly coloured 

 being some of the females of the genus Crax. The following is a translation of Professor Sumichrast's 

 note on the habits of two Mexican species : 



"The Hocco (Craxalector) is called the Royal Pheasant by the Mexicans. It is very common in 

 the large forests of the eastern coasts, and in Yucatan, but it dees not appear to live on the western 

 slope of the Cordilleras, or, at least, I have never seen it there, and the inhabitants could tell me 

 nothing positive on this subject. These birds are usually to be seen in couples or in little companies, 

 at least at one time of the year they are thus to be observed. They are less fierce than the Guans ; 

 and they are to be seen more often, walking about on the ground, and during the dry season, that is to 



