264 



THE COCK OF THE ROCK. 



name, and the crown of the head is decorated -udth a beaatiful series of gradually deepening 

 plumes, of a golden yellow at the base of the bill and on the foi'ehead, and warming into a 

 rich ruddy orange towards the back of the neck, something like the crown of the fire-crested 

 Regulus. 



The largest and the most showy of all the Manakins is the Cock of the Rock, so termed 

 on account of a slight external resemblance which it bears to the gallinaceous form. 



It is a native of Southern America and Guinea, and, as it is a solitary and extremely 

 retiring bird, is but seldom seen except by those who go in special search of it. This bird is 

 remarkable, not only for the bright orange-colored plumage with which its whole body is 

 covered, but for its beautiful crest, which extends over the head like the plume of an ancient 

 helmet. It generally frequents the banks of rocky streams and deep, sombre ravines, where 

 it traverses the ground with much rapidity, by means of its powerful and well -developed legs. 





f^% -_^ 



COCK Of THE UOQK.—Rupicota erocea. 



As it is a solitary and very wary bird, it is seldom shot by white men, the greater number of 

 existing specimens having been procured by means of the poisoned arrow tlirown through the 

 deadly sumpitau, or blow-pipe, of the Macoushi Indians. As the skin commands a high price 

 in the market, the Indians kill great numbers of the birds, and are gradually thinning their 

 ranks. 



During the daytime the Cock of the Rock retires into its dark hiding-place among the 

 rocks, and only comes out to feed before sunrise and just after sunset. Not only is it never 

 found in company with other birds, but it does not even seem to associate with those of its own 

 kind. The nest of this species is of a very slight description, and is composed of little sticks, 

 splinters of wood, and dry grasses, laid loosely in a hole of some rock, and containing two 

 white eggs. 



The color of the Cock of the Rock is remarkably beautiful, and consists of a rich orange 

 tint, which dyes the whole of the plumage with the exception of the quiU-feathers of the 

 wings, which are of a sooty-black hue, and those of the tail, which are brown, tipped with 



