226 ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 



crest are short and straight during the first year, and 

 have a mixture of reddish brown ; the head and neck 

 have more black ; all the feathers of the upper surface, 

 including the tail, are marked by broad transverse bars 

 of reddish white margined with black ; and the tail 

 terminates in a w^hite band. After the first change the 

 crest begins to curl, and the transverse bands are 

 reduced in number; the second nearly removes them 

 altogether, and the bird assumes its adult plumage. 

 This is the regular progress of the geimine species ; 

 but there exist great and permanent differences in the 

 colours of the numerous hybrids bred between this and 

 the other Curassows. In these cases the plumage of 

 the progeny is frequently nmch more beautiful than 

 that of either of its parent types. 



The Red Curassow is commonly said to be derived 

 only from Peru ; but if M. Temminck's quotation of 

 synonyms be correct, as we have reason to believe, its 

 range is equally extensive with that of the other species. 

 It appears to be the Coxolitli or Country Pheasant of 

 Hernandez, and consequently to be found as far north 

 as Mexico. Like the other Curassows it readily accus- 

 toms itself to the climate of England ; and there is every 

 probability tho.t it might with no great difficulty be 

 induced to breed in our farm-yards. M. Temminck 

 assures us that its fiesh is white, veiy succulent, and 

 exquisitely flavoured. He had eaten of it at the table 

 of M. Ameshoff, in whose menagerie it formerly bred 

 as freely as any of our domestic poultry. 



