100 CLASS AVES. 



The beauty of these birds, and the excellence of their flesh, 

 which is considerably improved by domestication, would 

 render them most desirable objects, both on the score of 

 utility and luxury. 



The natural disposition of the hoccos, in particular, seems 

 especially calculated for the domestic state. There is but 

 little doubt, that by a proper degree of attention, most, if not 

 all of the species, might be made as useful to man, as so 

 many others of the gallinaceous race have already proved to 

 be. The disposition of the hoccos, born and brought up in 

 domestication, may more particularly be compared to the 

 mild and peaceable nature of our cocks and hens. They are 

 equally fond of being in the neighbourhood of man, and 

 seem to discover a peculiar relish for his society. They do 

 not betake themselves to solitary places of refuge, but make 

 use of the nests which man provides for them, returning 

 daily to lay their eggs, and hatch there in preference to any 

 other situation. 



These birds are polygamous, and many females are attached 

 to a single male. Though of different species, a union is easily 

 made to take place between them, and fertile individuals are 

 thus produced, that unite with one another with equal facility. 

 It is probable, that if this intercourse were repeated in a 

 variety of ways, it would be possible to cultivate, by suitable 

 care, many different races of these birds, whose descendants 

 might be susceptible of multiplying, ad infinitum, and 

 branching out into a number of singular varieties under the 

 superintendance of man. In considering the species, we shall 

 speak more particularly of these mongrel birds. 



To derive advantage from the curassows, which it might be 

 thought desirable to accustom to our European climates, it 

 would be necessary, as M. Temminck remarks, to obtain such 

 birds from the colonies as had been previously accustomed to 

 the domesticated state, or rather such as have been bom in 



