GaLLINvE.- 
394 
BIRDS. Cracid.®. 
Order V,— ' 
The g.allinnceoiis birds, or tliose presenting more or 
less resemblance both in structure and haliits with 
our common poultry, which constitute this order, form 
the real commencement of the strictly antophagous 
birds, or those whose young can generally run and feed 
themselves from the moment of their escape from the 
egg. These biids are usually of moderate or rather 
large size, and of a stout and rather heavy form. Tliey 
have a small head, often partially or wholly denuded of 
feathers, and a bill of moderate length, of which the 
upper mandible is distinctly arched, and overhangs the 
lower one both at the tip and along the margins. As 
they are all essentially terrestrial in their habits, the 
legs are always strong and well developed. The tarsi 
are stout, and very commonly armed with a spur, or even 
with two or more such weapons, which are especially 
developed in the males ; the toes are three in front and 
one behind, the latter being usually small and slightly 
elevated upon the back of the tarsus, but sometimes 
more elongated, and then placed upon the same plane 
as the anterior toes, so as to render it more efficient in 
grasping. The anterior toes are not very long, but 
stout, and often united by webs at the base ; they are 
armed with strong and rather blunt nails, which are of 
great service to the birds in scratching in the ground 
ill search of food, a habit common to most of the 
species. Hence, many ornithologists give these birds 
tlie name of Rasores or Scrapers. The feathers of the 
tegs are continued down to the articulation of the 
tarsus, and sometimes extend beyond this point even 
to the extremities of the toes. The wings are gene- 
rally short and weak in comparison with the weight of 
the birds, so that they fly heavily, and only to short 
distances. Their plumage is firm, and often adorned 
with brilliant tints, and some parts of it, especially in 
the males, arc frequently developed to an extraordinary 
extent, giving the birds sometimes a grotesque, and 
sometimes an elegant appearance. The feathers are 
distinguished by the great development of the acces- 
sory plumules which spring from the base of the stem 
at its junction with the quill. 
The gallinaceous birds are spread over all parts of 
the world, but the finest species are inhabitants of the 
warmer regions. Their food consists of fruits, seeds, 
herbage, insects, and worms. They are generally 
polygamous in their habits, each male collecting around 
him a seraglio as numerous as he can keep together. 
In keeping ptf tl^e attentions of rivals he is frequently 
engaged in almost incessant , combats. The females 
lay their eggs, which are generally numerous, upon the 
ground, in some sheltered situation. The young, as 
alreadj' stated, are usually able to run as soon as they 
leave the egg; but at night, or on the approach of 
danger, they shelter themselves under the wings of 
their mother. 
GALLINJil. 
FAMILY T.— CRACtD.3?. 
TTie first family of the Gallinse includes a small 
number of birds peculiar to South America, and known 
under the names of Curassows and Guans. They 
have a stout, arched bill of moderate length, rvith the 
nostrils pierced near the base of the upper mandible, 
usually in a sort of cere somewhat resembling that 
occurring in the pigeons. Their wings are short and 
rounded, and their tail long and ample ; their tarsi are 
Tong and stout, and their toes are also long, but rather 
slender, and the posterior toe is situated on the same 
level as the anterior ones, and not elevated on the back 
of the tarsus. These birds reside in the luxuriant 
forests of tropical America; they live chiefly on the 
ground, where they seek the seeds and insects which 
constitute a great portion of their food. Their power 
of flight is rather limited, as, indeed, is shown by the 
form of the wings ; but they rise freely into the trees, 
upon the branches of which they often roost and breed. 
THE COMMON CURASSOW {Crax a/ector)— Plate 
20, fig. 7.3 — is nearly as large as a turkey, measuring 
about three feet in total length. It is of a shining-black 
colour, exhibiting purple and gi-een tints according to 
the direction in which the light falls upon its feathers ; 
the belly and tail-coverts are white. The bill in this 
bird is stout and black, but the basal half of both 
mandibles is occupied by a large yellow cere, and the 
eyes are surrounded by a naked skin of the same 
colour. The feathers of the top and back of the head 
are elongated and curled, forming a curious crest, which 
the bird can raise at pleasure. 
These birds, which are also called IToccos, are found 
in great flocks in the forests of tropical America, where 
they exhibit very little fear of man ; but when they 
reside in the vicinity of human habitations, they become 
more cautious, and are seldom seen more than two or 
three together. They are easily domesticated, and 
then become very familiar, recognizing those who feed 
them, and even pulling at their clothes when they 
think themselves neglected. Their flesh, when young, 
is very delicate. This bird has bred freely in Holland. 
It lays its eggs on the ground, and the young run as 
soon as they are hatched. 
THE GLOBE CURASSOW {Crax globicera) is of a 
blue-black colour, with the belly and lower tail-coverts 
and the tips of the feathers of the crest white ; it is 
distinguished by having at the base of the bill a large 
hard globose, yellow swelling. This species inhabits 
Guiana, and is as large as the Common Curassow. 
THE CASHEW CURASSOW {Oiirax pauxi) has the 
upper mandible dilated upwards at the base into a large, 
bony, crested tubercle of a bluish colour and pyriform 
shape. The plumage of this species is black, with the 
