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CURASSO. 
Crax RUBRA. 
Le Hocco de Perou. 
Crested Curasso., 
FEMALE. 
Lyn. Sj’sl. i. p. 27 0 . 2. 
Jin's. Orn. i. p. 3 0 5. 
Lath. ii. p. 2. 693 . 
This is nearly the size of the male, though it varies much in regard to co- 
lour. The bill is shaped like his, except that it wants the yellow protu- 
berance, which is not discernible even in the male until the second year, 
and then varies much in different subjects, according to their age. 
The head and neck is black, though not so velvety as in the male; and, 
in this subject, the rest of the plumage is rather a rich chesnut brown, 
which becomes paler at the lower belly, and under the coverts of the tail. 
These birds are natives of Mexico and Peru. In their wild state they 
prefer mountainous and retired situations, and perch on the highest trees. 
They are so extremely stupid as to be insensible of danger; there having 
been instances where the sportsman has shot several out of the same flock 
without chiving them from their situation, and reloaded his piece as often, 
as was necessary. 
When domesticated they become docile and sociable; and though fee- 
quently introduced into the menageries of the curious, they are very soon, 
notwithstanding the greatest care, injured by the dampness of the ground; 
so that their toes become mortified, which terminates their existence. 
From this pair several were bred and raised in this menagery, and in 
that number a most beautiful one, which, from the variety and richness of 
its plumage, was termed the Zebra Curasso: and, with other curious spe- 
cmrens presented in this superb collection, will be given in the course of 
this publication. 
