262 HABITS AND DIET. [CHAP. n. 



had hoped that birds thus permitted to go at large 

 would derive such an advantage from the change out of 

 a dealer's garret to a free run in the country, as to breed 

 in due season ; and it was also desirable to place them in 

 the same position which they would have to occupy if 

 they were really destined to prove eventually any acqui- 

 sition to the British poultry-yard. Accordingly, on the 

 receipt of a pair of the Penelope super ciliaris, or Eye- 

 browed Guan, in the following December, we turned them 

 at first into a large empty room to test their wildness ; but 

 they ate readily from the hand, and were soon set loose 

 with the other poultry, roosted with them in the hen- 

 house at night, and took their chance of messing with 

 them by day. Their favourite food on their arrival was 

 shred cabbage, for they emulated the Londoners them- 

 selves in their appetite for greens and fruit ; afterwards 

 they preferred boiled rice, or pollard and barley-meal, 

 mixed stiff with water, and now and then would take a 

 few kernels of barley or wheat, but to this day are dis- 

 inclined to eat much grain*. They continued in mode- 

 rate health at first, but one of them subsequently died 



* The diet and manners of these birds in a native state are thus 

 described by an eye-witness : " Gruans were stripping the fruits from 

 the low trees, in parties of two and three, and constantly repeating a 

 loud harsh note that proved their betrayal." Voyage up the Amazon, 

 p. 143. 



" Curassows moved on with stately step, like our wild Turkey, 

 picking here and there some delicate morsel, and uttering a loud 

 peeping note ; or ran with outstretched neck and rapid strides, as 

 they detected approaching danger." Idem, p. 141. 



" In the Brazilian forests the trees are usually thickly covered 

 with berries of some sort, and until these are entirely exhausted, the 

 concealed sportsman may shoot at the perpetually returning flocks, 

 until he is loaded with his game. Berries succeed berries so con- 

 stantly throughout the year, that in some spots the bird's food is 

 never wanting." Idem, p. 31. 



