446 GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



g 



the caresses of their masters. Sonnini relates that he has seen 

 them wander at liberty through the streets of Cayenne, return 

 to their homes without hesitation, and leap upon the tables to 

 take their food. Their flesh is exquisite, and in all respects 

 worthy of the favour of epicures. These different qualities should 

 cause an honourable place to be assigned to Hoccos in our poultry- 

 yards ; it is, therefore, to be regretted that the attempt to acclimate 

 these birds made by the Empress Josephine, at the commence- 

 ment of this century, have not been renewed. 



GALEATED CuRAssows, or PAuxis (Ourax pauxi, Cuv.), differ 

 but little physically from the Hoccos. They have the same habits 

 and characteristics, and easily habituate themselves to servitude. 



GUANS or PENELOPES (Penelope cristata, Gmelin), and PARRAQUAS 

 (Latham), are two genera of birds strongly resembling each other ; 

 they have an analogy to Pheasants, but only on account of their 

 general forms ; in short, they possess the confiding and peaceable 

 nature of Hoccos and Pauxis, and easily submit to the domina- 

 tion of man. Their flesh is delicious ; they also deserve to be 

 acclimated. 



The HOAZINS (Opisthocomus cristatus, Quoy and Gaimard) 

 inhabit the savannahs of Guyana, Their flesh, which exhales a 

 strong odour due, no doubt, to the vegetables on which they feed 

 exclusively is far from being agreeable. 



COLUMBIDJE. 



The Columbidce family establish a transition between real 

 Gallinaceans and Passerines ; in short, they partake of the nature 

 of both. Whilst they approach the former in their anatomical 

 and purely material characteristics, such as the structure of their 

 beaks, sternum, and crops, they resemble the latter in their elegant 

 forms, peaceable manners, and in all their habits. 



Like the Passerines, they are monogamists. The male and female 

 build their nests together, and share the cares of the incubation and 

 education of their young ; these, when born, are blind, and only 

 covered with a slight down, and are quite unable to run like young 

 Gallinaceans. There are generally two Pigeons hatched at the 



