THE COLUMBIDJE. 421 



troops in the midst of forests, and feed upon seeds, berries, and 

 buds. Naturally very gentle, they readily yield to captivity, when 

 they become familiar, and evince pleasure in the caresses of their 

 masters. Sonnini relates that he has seen them wander at liberty 

 through the streets of Cayenne, return to their homes without 

 hesitation, and leap upon the tables to take their food. Their flesh 

 is exquisite, and in all respects worthy of the favour of epicures. 

 These different qualities should cause an honourable place to be 

 assigned them in our poultry-yards ; it is, therefore, to be regretted 

 that the attempts to acclimate these birds made by the Empress 

 Josephine at the commencement of this century have not been 

 renewed. 



The Pauxis (Ourax pauxi) differ but little physically from the 

 Curassows. They have the same habits and characteristics, and 

 easily become domesticated. 



Guans {Penelope cristata) and Parraquas are two genera of birds 

 strongly resembling each other ; they have an analogy to Pheasants, 

 but only on account of their general forms ; they possess the con- 

 fiding and peaceable nature of Curassows, but do not so willingly 

 submit to domestication. Their flesh is delicious. They also deserve 

 to be acclimated. 



The Hoatzins, or Crested Touraco (Opisthocomus cristatus) in- 

 habit the savannahs of Guyana. Their flesh, which exhales a strong 

 odour — due no doubt to the vegetables on which they feed ex- 

 clusively — is far from being agreeable. It has long been a disputed 

 point whether it should be classed under the present heading or 

 among the Passerines. The Hoatzin is almost as large as a Turkey; 

 the head is decorated with a long flowing crest, and its bearing is 

 imposing and handsome. 



Columbid^e. 



The Columbidce family establish a transition between real Galli- 

 naceans and Passerines ; in short, they partake of the nature of 

 both. Whilst they approach the former in their anatomical and 

 purely material characteristics, such as the structure of their beaks, 

 sternum, and crops, they resemble the latter in their elegant forms, 

 peaceable manners, and attractive habits. 



Like the Passerines they are monogamists. The male and 

 female build their nests together, and share the task of incubation 

 and the bringing up of their progeny ; which, when released from 

 the shell, are blind, covered with down, and unable to move about 



