UNCEBTAINTIES. [CHAP. i. 



very stately. These live also on Berries, and are very 

 good to eat ; but their bones are said to be poisonous ; 

 therefore we do either burn or bury them, or throw them 

 into the water, for fear our Dogs should eat them." * 



We do not now believe the bones of the " Correso" 

 to be poisonous, nor take much precaution to keep them 

 out of the way of such dogs as have the chance of eating 

 them ; but with really important and even with veritable 

 particulars concerning this bird and the species allied to 

 it, we are very little better acquainted than was the 

 voyager whom we have just quoted. The information 

 at present obtainable in books, or elsewhere, respecting 

 the mere rarity or abundance of curassows in their na- 

 tive country, the degree to which they have been, not 

 tamed, but truly and actually domesticated there, and 

 the amount of success likely to be attained in increas- 

 ing them as a serviceable stock of poultry in England, 

 is of a most conflicting character. For instance, no- 

 thing that can be called even moderate success has 

 hitherto attended the efforts made to propagate them in 

 Great Britain ; while in Holland, we are told, one gen- 

 tleman used occasionally to produce them on his dinner- 

 table. Their flesh is reputed so exquisite a viand, and 

 their manners and appearance are known to be so gen- 

 tle and engaging, that, although some persons might 

 object to the loudness and harshness of their voice, they 

 ought certainly to be added to our list of profitable live 

 stock, if such an alliance with them can possibly be 

 effected ; if it cannot, the actual impossibility of their 

 naturalisation here ought to be proved and publicly an- 

 nounced after being fairly tested, and the causes of it 

 ascertained, in order to prevent well-meaning experi- 

 * Darapier's Voyages. 



