74 
The Curassows and Guans belong exclusively to America, 
ranging from Mexico across the Isthmus of Panama down to 
the southern part of Brazil. They are large birds, living on 
fruits and seeds, and are said to be very well adapted for the 
table. They do not, however, breed with any facility in this 
latitude. Among them are — 
The Crested Curassow <yCrax alectof), Guiana. 
Daubenton’s Curassow {Crax daubeiitoni'), Central 
America. 
The Globose Curassow (^Crax globicera), Central America. 
The G aleated Curassow {Pauxi galeatd), South America. 
Greey’s Guan (^Penelope greeyi), New Granada. 
The White-fronted Guan {Penelope jacucaca), Brazil. 
The Wild Turkey {Meleagris gallopavo') of North America; 
the Guinea Fowl {Numidia meleagris), originally from Africa, 
but now domesticated all over the world ; the Common Pea 
Fowl {Pavo cristatd), native to India, but, like the Guinea, 
naturalized everywhere ; and the Javan Pea Fowl {Pavo 
muticus), from Java and the Malay Peninsula, distinguished 
from the foregoing by the peculiar shape of the plumes on the 
head, and by the rich green color on the breast — all belong 
to the group of Pheasants {PhasianidP). 
Sir Emerson Tennent states that the Common Pea Fowl 
abounds to such an extent in the Island of Ceylon that their 
harsh cries at early morning are a great source of annoyance 
to the inhabitants. He also adds that the bird, as known in 
its domesticated state in other countries, gives but a very in- 
adequate idea of its size and magnificence when seen in its 
native forests. 
The true Pheasants are indigenous to Asia and its islands ; 
but the matchless beauty of their plumage, and the delicate 
quality of their flesh, has caused gome of them to be largely 
introduced into Europe. The bird now known as the Eng- 
lish Pheasant {Phasianus colchicus') originally came from 
Western Asia, and is believed to have been introduced into 
England about the close of the tenth century. It has long 
been perfectly naturalized, and is one of the most beautiful of 
