ZO()L()(iICA[, SOCIF.r^" HULI.K'IMX 



249 



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CRKSTKh t 11 \M I I . 

 specimens are qu.trlired in llic 



C R KS TK 1) SC RKAM ERS 



'X'WO closely related species of crested scream- 

 * ers inhabit, one the northern, and the other 

 the southern portion of South America. They are 

 birds of the open, level pampas or prairies, rather 

 than of wooded or mountainous regions, and for 

 several reasons they are remarkably interesting:!. 

 Like a number of other Neotropical species they 

 hold an extremely isolated position, their nearest 

 of kin now living being the geese. Though 

 screamers have large goose-like bodies and a 

 waddling gait, their feet are not webbed, and taking 

 all their characters into consideration we may 

 aptly term them geese which have been sf)ecialized 

 for a terrestrial and aerial life. A\'hen occasion 

 calls for it they can swim readily enough, though 

 not rapidly, and in their breeding habits they 

 exhibit traits hinting of more aquatic ancestors. 

 The nest it placed among reeds and water-lilies 

 and sometimes even floats intact upon the surface 

 of the water. 



During the early settlement of the country the 

 birds were unmolested by the Spaniards and Por- 

 tuguese; but now that emigrants from other Euro- 

 pean countries are rapidly increasing in numbers, 

 these great birds are doomed to an early extinction. 

 Though their wings are armed with four long, 

 sharp spurs, yet they are very gentle in disposition 

 and even when (locks of hundreds are gathered 

 together, they seldom show any animosity toward 

 one another. This is to be exjilained by the fact 

 that sociable though they are, they pair for life and 

 until one of the pair dies they remain together year 

 after year. 



Their antithetical characteristics of gentleness 

 and ability to deal telling blows with their armored 

 wings is taken advantage of by the natives. The 

 bird is caught and readily tamed and assumes 

 charge of the poultry, feeding and living amicably 

 with them and yet putting to rout all hawks and 

 other enemies which threaten fowls. 



