170 NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Triangular spurs Cry- Fidelity. 



nqt the only instrument of battle this formidable 

 bird carries; it seems to be armed at all points; 

 for at the forepart of each wing, and the second 

 joint, spring two straight triangular spurs, about 

 as thick as one's little finger : the foremost of 

 these goads or spurs is above an inch long; the 

 hinder is shorter, and both of a dusky colour. 

 The claws are also long and sharp; the colour is 

 black and white; and they cry terribly loud, 

 sounding something like " vyhoo, vyhoo." They 

 are never found alone, but always in pairs ; the 

 cock and hen prowl together; and their fidelity 

 is said to be such, that when one dies, the other 

 never departs from the carcase, but dies with its 

 companion. It makes its nest of clay, near the 

 bodies of trees, upon the ground, of the shape of 

 an oven. This bird is also a native of Brasil. 



THE NUMIDI4N 



WHICH from the peculiarity of its manners, 

 is vulgarly called by our sailors the buffoon bird* 

 and by the French, the mademoiselle, or lady. 

 The same qualities have procured it these differ- 

 ent appellations from two nations, who, on more 

 occasions than this, look upon the same objects 

 in very different lights. The peculiar gestures 

 and contortions of this bird, are extremely sin- 

 gular; and the French, who are skilled in the arts 

 of elegant gesticulation, consider all its motions 



