258 
VEKTEBEATA. 
forests of India, and laying their eggs in liole^ in the sand, which they cover over, and leave them 
to be hatched by the sun. An Australian, species, the Jungle-Fowl, M. tumulus, collects to- 
g*ether a vast heap of vegetable matter, in which it deposits its eggs ; it then covers them over 
with sand, and the heat of the sun creates a sufficient fermentation to hatch them. Some of *■ 
these mounds are fifteen feet high and sixty in circumference ! Another species, called the Native 
Pheasant by the Australians, the Leipoa oceUata, deposits its eggs in a mound, like the preceding, 
three feet high and nine feet in diameter. 
The Brush-Turkey of Australia, Talegalla Lathami, of the size of a turkey, lives in small flocks 
in the bush ; several pairs of birds unite to build the mound, which consists of grass and leaves ; 
these they grasp and bring together with their feet, scraping and clearing the ground as with 
rakes. A single mound will contain from two to four cart-loads of these materials. In this mass 
several females make their nests, about a foot from each other. 
THE GALEATED CURASSOW. 
THE CRACID^ OR CURASSOWS. 
Of this group there are several: species, all bearing some resemblance to the turkeys. 
Genus CRAX : Crax^ — This includes the Common Curassow, C. alector, three feet long, and 
nearly as large as a turkey ; it is of a shiny black color, collects in small companies, and feeds on 
seeds and fruits. They are found in Brazil and Mexico, where they have been domesticated. 
Another and smaller species, the Red-knobbed Curassow, 0. Yarrellii, is found in Peru, where 
it is called Peiiry. 
Genus OURAX : Ourax. — This includes the Galeated Curassow or Hocco of Mexico, 0, 
Pa.uxi, black above, with green reflections ; has a pear-shaped knob of a stony hardness on the 
crown, of a lead color and two inches high, being nearly as large as its head ; lives in the forests, 
and roosts on trees ; mingles readily with other gallinaceous fowls. There are still other species 
of curassow in Northern South America. 
Genus PENELOPE : Penelope. — This includes the Guan, P. cristata, thirty inches long, and 
resembling the curassows ; common in Brazil and vicinity. It is here called Yacou, from its 
note, which is very loud, and often rings through the forests, especially when several unite in the 
clamorous cry. This species is domesticated in Brazil, and also in Holland. The Texan Guan, 
Ortalida polyocephala — Ortalida McCalli of Baird — figured and described by Cassin, is the only 
one of the Cracidce found within the boundaries of the United States ; it is twenty-four inches 
long, the tail seven inches ; dark greenish-ash above ; beneath dull yellowish-green ; native of 
Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. In the latter country it is called Chiac-cMa-lacca. Another 
species of Guan is the Ortalida Motmot, called Pheasant of Guiana ; it lives in small families, 
and has a loud note, which sounds like ParraTcoua. 
