CHAP. I.] FOEMEB ATTEMPTS. 233 



from a state of nature to the tameness of domestic 

 fowls, that they have not yet been introduced into the 

 poultry-yards of Europe. That, with proper treatment, 

 they would speedily become habituated to the climate, 

 we have no reason to doubt ; on the contrary, numerous 

 examples have shown that they thrive well even in its 

 northern parts ; and M. Temminck informs us that they 

 have once at least been thoroughly acclimated in Hol- 

 land, where they were as prolific in their domesticated 

 state as any of our common poultry. The establish- 

 ment, however, in which this had been effected was 

 broken up by the civil commotions which followed in 

 the train of the French revolution, and all the pains 

 which had been bestowed upon the education of these 

 birds were lost to the world by their sudden and com- 

 plete dispersion. The task, which had at that time 

 been in some measure accomplished, still remains to be 

 performed ; and it may not be too much to expect that 

 the Zoological Society may be successful in perfecting 

 what was then so well begun, and in naturalising the 

 Curassows as completely as our ancestors have done the 

 equally exotic, and, in their wild state, much less familiar, 

 breeds of the Turkey, the Guinea-fowl, and the Peacock. 

 Their introduction would certainly be most desirable, 

 not merely on account of their size and beauty, but also 

 for the whiteness and excellence of their flesh, which is 

 said by those who have eaten it to surpass that of the 

 Guinea-fowl or of the Pheasant in the delicacy of its 

 flavour." 



Mr. Swainson, relying mainly (too much, we think, 

 with deference) on the circumstance that the Curassows 

 and Guans are included in the circle of his rasorial 

 types, also expresses a sanguine hope, accompanied by 



