48 Zoologica: N. Y. Zoological Society. [I; 2 



disagreeable smell (probably caused by the quality of its food) 

 and is consequently not eaten, but is used by the fishermen to 

 catch certain fishes." 



Even the writings of recent observers, on the spot, with 

 every opportunity for good observation, are in some instances 

 totally misleading. For example, Penard (34) tells us that 

 Hoatzins run rapidly on the ground, swim well, and "leven in 

 groote troepen van honderden individuen." 



Part III — Name. 



Miiller (28) called the bird Phasianus hoazin, and although 

 it was soon removed from that genus, his specific name still 

 stands accepted. The name hoatzin, hoazin or hoactzin, as it is 

 variously spelled, refers to Hernandez' (22) account, of which 

 Buff on (13) says: 



"Its voice is very strong, and it is less a cry than a howl. 

 It is said that it pronounces its name (Hoatzin) apparently in 

 a sad and mournful tone. It is no longer necessary to make it 

 pass with the common people for a bird of ill omen; and since 

 everywhere a great deal of power is assigned to that which is 

 feared, the same people have thought to find in it remedies for 

 the gravest maladies. But it is not said that they feed them- 

 selves on it. They abstain from it in fact, perhaps as a result 

 of the same fear, or because of a repugnance founded on the 

 fact that it makes its ordinary food of serpents. It stays usual- 

 ly in the great forests, perched on the trees along the water, for 

 watching and surprising these reptiles. It is found in the hot- 

 test parts of Mexico. Hernandez adds that it appears in 

 autumn, so that it is a migratory bird. Mr. Aublet assures me 

 that these birds become tame; that they are sometimes seen in 

 captivity in the houses of the Indians, and that Francois called 

 them Peafowl. They feed their young on ants, worms and other 

 insects." 



Much of the charm of this wholly inaccurate and altogether 

 delightful account is lost in the translation from Buffon's native 

 tongue. 



The present generic name Opisthocomus was given by 

 Stephens (47), referring to the long, waving crest; owlg Ooko/xos, 

 wearing the hair long behind, or, literally, having hair behind. 

 (o7ri7 Oev, behind, -f- ko/xtt, the hair) . 



Ignoring the various bizarre appellations given to this 

 species by writers of the last century, we may review the com- 

 mon names in use to-day. 



