The Crane-like Birds 



by Mr. Beddard, who states as his opinion that the specimen on which this 

 statement was based must have been imperfect or malformed, since he does not 

 find it in any of those he has examined. They are included in a single genus 

 (Psophia) and seven rather closely related species, and are most numerous in 

 Amazonia and near-by countries. The best-known appears to be the Common 

 Trumpeter (P. crepitans), or Agami, as it is called by the residents of its native 

 country. It is the largest species, being about twenty-one inches long, and is 

 black throughout, except that on the lower throat the feathers are purple, tipped 



FIG. no. Common Trumpeter, Psophia crepitans. 



with shining purple, and a patch of deep rusty brown extends across the middle 

 back and wing-coverts. These birds frequent the forests, going bout in flocks 

 often of several hundred, and feeding on fruits of various kinds as well as insects. 

 The nest is placed on the ground, and the eggs, to the number of ten or more, 

 are said to be bright green. The Agami is often tamed and domesticated by the 

 natives of Brazil, and becomes very affectionate and much attached to its owner. 

 It is often employed in protecting poultry, sheep, etc., its loud cry giving warning 

 of the approach of danger. It apparently does not breed in domestication. 



The remaining species differ slightly in size and coloration, and the interesting 

 fact has been established that their ranges are often separated by moderately 

 wide rivers, which seems to prove that they enjoy only limited powers of flight. 

 Our illustration is that of the Common Trumpeter (P. crepitans) of British 

 Guiana and the Rio Negro. 



