124 CLASS AVES. 



minent membrane there, of azure blue, is covered with black 

 hairs. The upper part of the tarsi is feathered ; the tail is 

 broad, and very slightly rounded. 



This bird, when adult, is from twenty-six to twenty-eight 

 inches long, according to the sexes ; the tail is ten or eleven 

 inches ; the tarsus measures two inches and three lines ; the 

 bill, fifteen lines. 



The female is distinguished by being of a smaller size. 

 The feathers of the tuft are not of a perfect white, but 

 varied with brown or black, and the reflexions of the plu- 

 mage are also less brilliant. 



This bird inhabits the climates of Guiana, the banks of the 

 Amazons, and' of the Plate river ; some individuals from 

 Brazil vary a little ; but this may, perhaps, be attributable 

 merely to climate, as the essential characters are alike. In 

 them, the barbs of the quills are truncated, and with a sub- 

 ulated point, exactly like the others, and the forms of the 

 bill and feet are similar ; the difference consists in some 

 slight peculiarities of plumage, on which it is needless to 

 insist here. 



A couple of these birds, from the Dutch colonies of Guiana, 

 lived for some time in a menagerie near Utrecht. Some also 

 were brought up in the menagerie of M. Backer before men- 

 tioned. They are very familiar, quiet birds, living on good 

 terms with the other gallinae, with which they may happen to 

 be placed. Their cry is a whistling or hissing sound, of no 

 great power or compass. 



According to Bajon there is nothing particular in the tra- 

 chea of this bird, or different from that of birds in general. 

 It proceeds directly into the breast, and is arranged there in 

 the ordinary manner ; nor is there any difference in this respect 

 between the male and female. 



This bird being of rather a stupid character, the species 

 has been nearly destroyed in inliabited districts. Azara met 



