204 Hybridity in Animals. 
termixture of species takes place, and consequent fertile offspring, 
as we have remarked in the several species of domestic fowls. All 
the Hoccos or Currasows (Crax) for example, which are derived 
from their native forests of Guiana, readily unite with each other, 
giving rise toa progeny that is reproductive without end. “It 
is probable,” observes a judicious ornithologist, “that if the in- 
tercourse were repeated in a variety of ways, it would be possi- 
ble to cultivate, by suitable care, many different races of these 
birds, whose descendants might be susceptible of multiplying, 
ad infinitum, and branching out into a number of singular varie- 
ties, under the superintendance of man.’’* 
In fact, the Dutch menageries have already obtained the pro- 
lific hybrids of three species} of this genus; and it has been ob- 
served that these mixed™birds have their plumage more varied, 
and far more agreeable to the eye, than the uniform livery of the 
adult individuals of the pure race. 
Here, then, we have a family of wild birds, recently reclaimed 
from their native forests, so as to leave no possible question of 
their origin and specific diversity ; and by intermixing these spe- 
cies in a state of domestication, we have passing under our eyes, 
as it were, the identical series of phenomena, those very same 
et which are so remarkable and so familiar in the common 
owl. 
Since I commenced writing this essay, I have met with two 
hybrid gallinaceous birds, between the common fow] and the 
Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). They were bred in the state 
of Delaware, and possess, in a remarkable and unequivocal man- 
ner, the exterior characters and the habits of both parents. One 
of them looks more like the common fowl; the other, on the 
contrary, has a much stronger resemblance to the Guinea fowl. 
The sounds which they utter are intermediate, often analogous 
to those of the Guinea fowl, but occasionally having the cluck 
of the other nt. These birds are yet living, and their sex 
has not been positively determined, but the e characters ap- 
pear to predominate. 
Since they came under my notice, I have heard of three other 
examples of similar hybrids occurring in different parts of the 
United States; but no progeny has resulted from them. 
domestic fowl and turkey. White of Selbornel| gives a plate 
* Griffith's Cuvier, viii, p. 100. 
t Craz alector, C. rubra and C. globicera. 
¢ Griffith's Cuvier, viii, p. 113. 
See Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, for 
September, 1346. 
\ Naturalist’s Calendar, for 1795. 
