ii58 



VERTEBRATA. 



forests of Imlia, ami lavinj^ tlu'ir I'l^fi's in holes in the sand, wliicli tiicy cover over, and leave them 

 to be hatched hv the sun. An Australian species, the Jungle-Fowl, M. tumulus, collects to- 

 jjethiT a vast heap of vegetable matter, in which it deposits its eggs; it then covers them over 

 with sand, and the heat of tlie sun creates a sufficient fermentation to hatch them. Some of 

 these mounds are Htteen feet high and sixty in circumference! Another species, called the Native 

 Phmsant bv the Australians, the Lcipoa ocellata, deposits its eggs in a mound, like the preceding, 

 three feet liigh and nine feet in diameter. 



The BKi'SH-TriiKEY of Australia, Talegalla Lathumi, of the size of a turkey, lives in small flocks 

 in the bush ; several pairs of birds unite to build the mound, which consists of grass and leaves; 

 these they grsisp and bring together with their feet, scraping and clearing tlie ground as with 

 rakes. A single mound will contain from two to four cart-loads of these materials. In this mass 

 several females make their nests, about a foot from each other. 





THE GALEATED CURASSOW. 



THE CRACID.E OR CURASSOWS. 



Of this group there are several species, all bearing some resemblance to the turkeys. 



Genus CRAX : Crax. — This includes the Common Curassow, C. alector, three feet long, and 

 nearly as large as a turkey ; it is of a shiny black color, collects in small companies, and feeds on 

 seeds and fruits. They are found in Brazil and Mexico, where they have been domesticated. 

 Another and smaller species, the Red-knobbed Curassow, C. Yar7-ellii, is found in Peru, where 

 it is called Peury. 



(xenw* OURAX : Ourax. — This includes the Galeated Curassow or Hocco of Mexico, 0.\ 

 Pauxi, black above, with green reflections ; has a pear-shaped knob of a stony hardness on the 

 crown, of a lead color and two inches high, being nearly as large as its head ; lives in the forests, 

 and roosts on trees; mingles readily with other gallinaceous fowls. There are still other species, 

 of curassow in Northern South America. '. 



Genus PENELOPE: Penelope. — This includes the Guan, P. crista ta, thirty inches long, andj 

 resembling the curassows; common in Brazil and vicinity. It is here called Yacou, from its! 

 note, which is very loud, and often rings through the forests, especially when several unite in the( 

 clamorous cr}-. This species is domesticated in Brazil, and also in Holland. The Texan Guan,| 

 Ortalida 2iolyocej)hala — Ortalida Mc Colli of Baird^figured and described by Cassin, is the onlyj 

 one of the Cracidce found within the boundaries of the United States ; it is twenty-four inches* 

 long, the tail seven inches; dark greenish-ash above; beneath dull yellowish-green ; native ofj 

 Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. In the latter country it is called Chiac-chia-lacca. Another' 

 species of Guan is the Ortalida Motmot, called Pheasant of Guiana ; it lives in small families,) 

 and has a loud note, which sounds like Parrakoua. 



