CRACTD^: — THE CFRASSOWS. 401 



couples met after the period of separation and repuse. When at length all 

 this clatter liad terminated, the i)arties (quietly betook themselves to their 

 morning meal. If snrju'ised while thus employed, they would fly into the 

 trees altove, and, ])eering down with stretched necks, and heads turned side- 

 ways to tlie grouiul, tliey would challenge the intruder witli a singular and 

 oft-repeated croaking note, of which it would he ditlicult to give any adequate 

 idea with words alone." 



Colonel ^IcCall adds that the volubility and singularity of its voice is its 

 most striking and remarkable tiiiit. While on his march from Matamoras to 

 Tampico he had encamped, on the ilOth of December, at the spring of Encinal, 

 whence, a short time Ijefore sunset, he rode out in search of game. Passing 

 through a woodland near the stream, his ears were saluted with a strange 

 sound that resembled somewhat the cry of the panther {FpUh onra). Ho 

 was at a loss to what animal to ascrilie it, and, dismounting, crawled cau- 

 tiously through the thicket for some distance, until he came upon an opening 

 where there were some larger trees, from the lower branches of one of wiiich 

 he ascertained that the sound proceeded. There he discovered a large male 

 bird of this species, ascending toward-s- the top of the tree, and uttering this 

 hitherto unheard sound, as he sprang from branch to branch in mounting to 

 his roost. In a few moments his call was answered from a distance, and soon 

 after he was joined by a bird of the year. Others followed, coming in from 

 different quarters, and there were in a little while five or six upon the tree. 

 One of these discovered the intruder and gave the alarm. Tlie shigular cry 

 of the old bird ceased, and they all began to exhibit uneasiness and a dis- 

 position to fly, whereupon Colonel McCall shot the old bird. 



Colonel IMcCall also states that the eye is a remarkable feature in the liv- 

 ing birds of this species, being full of courage and animation, equal, in fact, 

 in brilliancy to that of the finest gamecock. He frequently noticed this 

 bird domesticated by the Mexicans at Matamoras, Monterey, etc., and going 

 at large about their gardens. He was assured tliat in that condition it not 

 unfrequently crossed with the conmion fowl. 



In the wild state the eggs are said to be from six to eight, never exceeding 

 the last number. They are white, without spots, and rather smaller than a 

 pullet's egg. The nest is usually on the ground, at the root of a large tree 

 or at the side of an o' ' log, where a hole several inches deep is scratched in 

 the ground ; this 's lined with leaves, and the eggs are always carefullj'^ cov- 

 ered with the same when the female leaves them for the purpose of feeding. 

 If disturbed while on her nest, she flies at the intruder with great spirit and 

 determination. 



Eggs of this species, from Matamoras, are of an oblong-oval shape, 

 equally pointed at either end, and measure 2.35 inches in length by 1.G5 in 

 breadth. They are of a dirty-white color with a light tint of buff, and have 

 a slightly roughened or gi'anulated surface. 



VOL. ui. 51 



