348 TRUMPETER. 



they pass downwards, and are loose and silky ; those of the scapulars 

 very long, and hang over the tail, which is short, and consists of 

 twelve black feathers; legs long and greenish; claws black. 



In some birds the colour varies a little, having a mixture of 

 white in the wings. 



This singular bird inhabits various parts of South America, as 

 Brazil, Guiana, Surinam, &c. but no where in more abundance than 

 in the Amazon's Country ; lays two blue-green eggs, a little bigger 

 than those of a Hen ; said to be very familiar, and much attached to 

 its keeper : is remarkable for a particular kind of noise it emits, and 

 about which authors differ much, in respect to the place from whence 

 it proceeds; some think it to be from the anus,* others the belly. 

 At first the sound seems to come from the mouth ; it is not unlike 

 the word Scherck, two or three times repeated ; this is answered by 

 a noise from within, imitating the cooing of a Dove, many times 

 repeated; the belly seems much agitated during this noise, but 

 sometimes the bird makes it without any sound from the mouth 

 preceding. It is said to feed on bread, flesh, and small fish; runs 

 fast, and with long strides, assisted by expanded wings ; sleeps on 

 one foot, with the head drawn in between the shoulders, in the 

 manner of the Stork. 



The bird mentioned by Du Tertre, in his Hist, des Antilles, is 

 probably the same ; he says, it is as large as a Capon, with a bill 

 like that of a Raven ; the neck and legs longer than in the Cock ; 

 the feathers of the neck and breast blue, and glossy, equalling those 

 of the Peacock ; back grey brown ; wings and tail black, the last 

 very short. 



This is said to inhabit the Caribbee Islands, and there called 

 Pheasant ; often tamed, and kept among Poultry ;t is quarrelsome, 



* Rostro mussitante respondet per anum. — Lin. 



t One of these, a young bird, found its way into a farm yard, in Surrey, and associated 

 with the poultry ; it was perfectly tame, and on one occasion accompanied the hounds, for 

 three miles, and kept up with them. It was last in possession of Lord Stanley, but died 

 on its way into Lancashire. 



