Walter Goodfellow—Some Reminiscences of a Collector 455


be getting defective. I identified three of those I had, namely Northo-

procta ornata, Northocercus garleppi and Rhynchotus maculicollis. With

them I had a single Marbled Partridge (Odontophorus marmorata), the

sole survivor of three. This I brought home and sent up to Hoddam.

I think these Partridges were fairly plentiful, but as they never rise

it was difficult to get even a glimpse of them. I only definitely saw

some on one occasion in four years.


Once a pair of King Vultures lived on the edge of the clearing for

several months. I was hoping they would nest there, but if they did

we never found it, which would be rather unlikely with such large

birds. Several times I shot Peccaries to entice them to remain, and

gave strict orders they were not to be interfered with. This is one

of the birds for which I have a great admiration, and it has always

been my ambition to possess a tame one, for apart from their beauty

they make delightful pets.


A bird I was disappointed not to find, at Esperanza, was the

Trumpeter (Psophia). I believe they do not come farther south than the

Marmore. On my exit I saw them at every village along that river,

but not one before there. It is quite one thing to keep them in an

aviary and another to have them at liberty, even if only in a small

garden. In the forests it is impossible to form any idea as to what

they are really like, and their ways. All Indians seem very fond of

them, and you find them in almost every village, but they are jealous

birds according to how much they are petted, and it is some¬

times difficult to keep two together. I have noticed in villages

each one usually keeps to a restricted area, unless they are a

pair, and even then they do not always agree. I once kept a pair

together in England amicably. In South America they often have

them to look after poultry, as they are quick to give warning

when hawks are about. It is amusing at such times to see them

hurrying all the young chickens off to a place of shelter. They are

fond of a family to look after, and soon gather all chickens around

them in the daytime, but Trumpeters like to roost high. So until

the chicks get their flight feathers the Trumpeter calls in vain from

some high branch, but I have seen them roosting with many on each

side. Those who have not yet owned one have a treat in store. Several



