the notes given for the pava (Penelope) apply also to 
Habits and Hunting.--In general, 1 wary, lees noiey, and more often se 
fhe latter differs in being less wary, le , mete 
the pajuil ten rest in the shade of shrubs, instead of 
ond, During midday these big birds of 
vhaats . ained on the ground. 
roosting in trees. Much of their food is obt 
Because of their less wary nature, they are more easily exterminated by over- 
shooting than are the pavas. 
21. Penelope purpurascens pDurpurascené Wagler 
Northern Crested Guan 

Other Names.-- 
Guatemalan: pava,cojolite, coxolite, ajolite, ah cox (Maya), quam 
English: pheasant 
fairly common resident within ite range except in those locali- 
Status.--This guan is a 
ed or eliminated its forest habitat. 
ties where clearing has seriously reduc 
Description.--A large blackish bird (length about 558-890 mm.) but smaller and more 
slender than the curassow or pajuil (Crax). Sexes alike. 
Skin around eye and on upper throat bare: an erectile crest of flat, soft, 
Brownish-black coloration of 
blackish feathers; tail as long or longer than wing. 
plumage has a slight greenish-bronze or purplish sheen; feathere on sides of neck, lower 
throat and breast are narrowly edged with white laterally; scapulare and upper wing 
coverts also with narrow lateral white edges; lower abdomen and lower back dull dark 
brown: iris carmine; orbital area blackish; pill black; upper part of bare throat 
blackish, lower part carmine; tarsus red. 
Immature birds are similar to adults but with the white markings on the scapu- 
lars and upver wing coverts mch less developed. 
Measurements.-- 
Male (8) Female (6) 
Wing, 370-415 (390.6) Wing, 362-390 (380) 
Tail, 350-408 (384) Tail, 372-408 (385.5) 
Tarsus, 81-90 (85.1) Tarsus, 81-90 (85.1) 
Culmen from base, 32-44 (36.1) Culmen from base, 32-44 (36.1) 
General Distribution.--Tropical forest region of México from Sinaloa and southern 
Tamaulipas south to Honduras. 
Distribution in Guatemala.--Tropical Zone foreets of beth slopes, ranging at least up to 
6000 feet. 

Records.--Tiquisate, April 9-12, 1946; Finca Valle-Lirios, Escuintla, March 23-25, 1947; 
San Jos¢, April 1-6, 1947. Panzés, May 16-18, 1947. It was reported by local hunters at: 
Champerico, Patulul, and near Cotzal and Chajul, El Quiché. 
In literature: Retalhuleu, Savana Grande, Volchn de Fuego, Medio Monte, and 
Raxché (Salvin and Godman); Los Amates (Dearborn); Naranjo and Santo TomAs (Lantz); Finca 
Sepacuité (Griscom), Uaxactun and Sacchich (Van Tyne). 
Habits and Hunting.--Under primitive conditions this guan is to be found in flocks, feeding 
resting, and roosting in the tall trees which comprise the crown of the forest. In more 
open gallery forest they can be seen perched in the treetops for a distance of several 
hundred yards, because of their large size. Their calls are loud and serve to guide 
hunters to them. During the dry season it is difficult to stalk them unless the drift of 
leaves on the forest floor is moist, enabling the hunter to slip within range. 
At times, in the early morning, they were seen feeding in isolated trees just 
beyond the edge of the dense forest. If disturbed, they began giving their loud alarm 
calls, walked along the branches, and finally flew to the tops of tall treee along the 
ald Ber eeee ae eae to call as they flew. If stalked unsuccessfully, they flew 
er into e forest, the nois 
simi te a eh a e of their large wings being heard even though the forest 
Most of their feeding is done early and late in the day, when they seek wild 
fruit, seeds, and succulent leaves. Impor ecrop é 
Rh ae nr mportant food plants are the Cecropia sp., wild 
36 
