on the Nestling of Fraser's To?iracou.



63



I have elsewhere dealt at length on the curious life-history

of the Hoatzin, and the game-birds, as well as of nestlings

generally, and would refer those of my readers who care to pur¬

sue this subject further to these sources of information.


VI. Summary.


Although this nestling seems to have been killed by the

cold nights of September I do not think the growth of the

feathers or nestling down was in any way appreciably retarded

by this factor. Many nestlings retain the down-feathers of the

trunk for a long time after hatching.


Ornithologists should be grateful to Mrs. Johnstone for the

care and enterprise she has shown in procuring and breeding

these birds. She has moreover achieved the greatest triumph

yet attained by aviculturists—horrid word—for, until the

appearance of this nestling the young of the Touracou were

absolutely unknown. It is to be hoped that next year she may

be able to supply us with the missing links required to complete

this history.


Explanation of Plate.


Fig. 1. Eeft wing of newly-hatched Hoatzin, upper surface, to

show the long hand and large claw on the thumb and

index finger.


Fig. 2. Right wing of older nestling of Hoatzin, showing the

accelerated growth of the primary quills and the early

stages in the shortening of the hand.


Fig. 3. Left wing of young chick, upper surface showing the

extremely accelerated development of the inner

primary quills.


Fig. 4. Right wing of nestling Fraser’s Touracou, under surface,

showing the peculiar oblong form of the wing and the

claw on the thumb. The hand is now relatively

longer with regard to the fore-arm than in the adult.


References to Literature.


JOHNSTONE, Mrs. E. J. “The Nesting of Fraser’s Touracou.”


Avicultural Magazine, Vol. III. (New Series) p. 26.

PYCRAFT, W. P. “ On the Plerylography of the Hoatzin.”


Ibis, Vol. I. 1S95 .Second Series, p. 345.


,, ,, “The Claws on the Wings of Birds.”


Knowledge, Vol. XXVI. 1903, p. 221.

Quelch, J. J. “ On the Habits of the Hoatzin.” Ibis, 1S90, p. 327.



