GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. _ 2/9 



that upon other parts of the body is broad-webbed, compact, and harsh. The slender beak is almost 

 covered with velvety feathers forming a tuft above the upper mandible, which curves slightly over the 

 lower portion of the bill and has a broad tip. The short foot is furnished with long toes and large 

 curved claws. The tarsi and skin between the outer and middle toes are feathered. The centre of the 

 brow is in this species decorated with a slender horn, which inclines forward at the extremity. The 

 plumage of both sexes is glossy black, shaded with green upon the back, wings, and belly ; the 

 gullet and breast are whitish grey, each feather being striped with blackish brown upon the shafts ; 

 the ornamentation of the tail is enlivened by a greyish white stripe about an inch in length. The 

 eye is white, the beak pale straw-colour, the horn scarlet, and the foot bright red. The length 

 of this species is thirty inches ; the wing measures fourteen inches, and the tail fourteen inches 

 and a half 



The first specimen of the Mountain Curassow seen in Europe was killed by a Spaniard in 1848, 

 and came into the possession of Earl Derby, after whom it was named. This rare species appears to 

 be met with only on the Volcan del Fuego, a mountain in Guatemala which is covered at an altitude 

 of 7,000 feet above the sea with high trees, among the branches of which it seeks its food during 

 the morning hours, but later in the day it descends into the underwood or reposes upon the ground. 

 Its habits probably resemble those of its congeners, but we are \vithout any other details as to its 

 mode of life. 



The GUANS {Penelopce) are distinguishable from the Curassows by their slender body, com- 

 paratively long, much-rounded tail, and low tarsus. They have a broad cere upon their beak, and 

 a bare patch around the eye ; their almost naked throat is only covered with a long hairy growth, 

 and there is a slight crest upon the head. The upper plumage of these birds is usually of a 

 uniformly dusky metallic green or brown, while many of the feathers on the under side and breast 

 have light borders. The various members of this family are only found in the warm parts of South 

 America, and closely resemble each other in their mode of life and habits. They usually frequent 

 trees, near the tops of which they perch during the heat of the day, only descending to seek for fruit 

 and insects at early morning or in the evening. Owing to the shortness of their wings their flight 

 is heavy and performed with difficulty ; on the branches they are more adroit, and if alarmed move 

 with extraordinary rapidity ; in disposition they are shy and usually remain concealed among the 

 thickest foliage, from whence they peep forth to reconnoitre and keep a strict watch against 

 approaching danger. The larger species are solitary in their habits, whilst the smaller members 

 of the family associate in large parties, often numbering sixty or seventy individuals, and fly about 

 under the guidance of one bird placed at the head of the flock. The harsh, loud, peculiar voices 

 of the Penelopm are usually heard most frequently at break of day, and are represented by travellers 

 as producing an almost deafening effect, when, as is generally the case, a wliole flock, following the 

 example of their leader, join together in chorus. Fruit, seeds, and ben-ies of various kinds aflx)rd 

 these birds the means of subsistence ; it would also appear, according to the Prince von Wied, that 

 they do not reject insect diet. The nests are usually built in trees, and only occasionally on tlie 

 ground. The large white eggs are from two to six in number. It is at present uncertain whether 

 both parents assist in tending their offspring. Bajon informs us that as soon as the young quit the 

 shell they commence climbing about in the underwood, and are fed in the nest ; when strong enough, 

 they venture on to the ground, follow their mother like young chickens, and are led about by her in 

 the short grass during the early morning ; when fully fledged they go forth into the world on their 

 own account, and the parents probably proceed to rear another brood. Some species only leave the 

 nest when about ten or twelve days old. Amongst the Indians these birds are highly prized as 



