CURASSO. MALE. 
Crax Globicera. 
Le Hocco de Curasso, 
Curassow Bird. 
Globose Curasso. 
Lin , Sjst. i. p. 27 0. 4. 
Bris. Orn. i . p. 300. 
Edw. Glean, ii. p. 29 5. 
Lath. ii. p . ii. p. 695. 
The Count cle Buffon, under the character of Hocco, has given the several 
species of this family; and his reason for this arrangement is the multitude 
of names applied by the different savages, in their jargon, as well as b 7 
nomenclators, indiscriminately to birds which have many common cha- 
racters, though distinguished by trifling variations, occasioned by age, 
sex, or climate; a circumstance very naturally to be expected from a species 
which is become domesticated. 
The subject of this Plate is about the size of a Turkey. The bill is 
convex, strong and thick; the base covered with a cere, which on the upper 
mandible swells into a tubercle, or round hard knob, about the size of a 
cherry, and of a bright yellow, from which it has acquired the name of 
Globe Curasso. 
Another distinguished character that seems peculiar to this bird, is a 
most beautiful crest, extending from the bill to the back of the head, which 
it can erect or depress at pleasure, formed of narrow tapering feathers, of 
different lengths, some almost three inches long, the points reflected, and 
bent forwards. The head and upper part of the neck is of a rich velvety 
black, the rest of the body (excepting the lower belly, and under coverts of 
the tail, which are white) is black glossed with green, purple, and blue, 
according as it is viewed in different reflections of light. 
