Part 40

The MOUNTAIN CURASSOW, or LORD DERBY'S GUAN (_Oreophasis Derbyanus_), must be regarded as the connecting link between the _Craces_ and _Penelopæ_. This bird, with which we are but little acquainted, has an elongate but powerful body, short neck, and comparatively small head. In the small abruptly-rounded wings, the sixth quill exceeds the rest in length; the tail is long, graduated, and but slightly rounded at the tip. The feathers composing the tail and pinions are of unusual breadth, and those forming the latter have a decided curve inwards. All the smaller feathers are downy as far as their centre, with large shafts; those of the rump-feathers being remarkably thick. The plumage of the throat is of a velvety texture, but assumes a hairy appearance lower down, whilst that upon other parts of the body is broad-webbed, compact, and harsh. The slender beak is almost covered with velvety feathers forming a tuft above the upper mandible, which curves slightly over the lower portion of the bill and has a broad tip. The short foot is furnished with long toes and large curved claws. The tarsi and skin between the outer and middle toes are feathered. The centre of the brow is in this species decorated with a slender horn, which inclines forward at the extremity. The plumage of both sexes is glossy black, shaded with green upon the back, wings, and belly; the gullet and breast are whitish grey, each feather being striped with blackish brown upon the shafts; the ornamentation of the tail is enlivened by a greyish white stripe about an inch in length. The eye is white, the beak pale straw-colour, the horn scarlet, and the foot bright red. The length of this species is thirty inches; the wing measures fourteen inches, and the tail fourteen inches and a half.

The first specimen of the Mountain Curassow seen in Europe was killed by a Spaniard in 1848, and came into the possession of Earl Derby, after whom it was named. This rare species appears to be met with only on the Volcan del Fuego, a mountain in Guatemala which is covered at an altitude of 7,000 feet above the sea with high trees, among the branches of which it seeks its food during the morning hours, but later in the day it descends into the underwood or reposes upon the ground. Its habits probably resemble those of its congeners, but we are without any other details as to its mode of life.

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The GUANS (_Penelopæ_) are distinguishable from the Curassows by their slender body, comparatively long, much-rounded tail, and low tarsus. They have a broad cere upon their beak, and a bare patch around the eye; their almost naked throat is only covered with a long hairy growth, and there is a slight crest upon the head. The upper plumage of these birds is usually of a uniformly dusky metallic green or brown, while many of the feathers on the under side and breast have light borders. The various members of this family are only found in the warm parts of South America, and closely resemble each other in their mode of life and habits. They usually frequent trees, near the tops of which they perch during the heat of the day, only descending to seek for fruit and insects at early morning or in the evening. Owing to the shortness of their wings their flight is heavy and performed with difficulty; on the branches they are more adroit, and if alarmed move with extraordinary rapidity; in disposition they are shy and usually remain concealed among the thickest foliage, from whence they peep forth to reconnoitre and keep a strict watch against approaching danger. The larger species are solitary in their habits, whilst the smaller members of the family associate in large parties, often numbering sixty or seventy individuals, and fly about under the guidance of one bird placed at the head of the flock. The harsh, loud, peculiar voices of the _Penelopæ_ are usually heard most frequently at break of day, and are represented by travellers as producing an almost deafening effect, when, as is generally the case, a whole flock, following the example of their leader, join together in chorus. Fruit, seeds, and berries of various kinds afford these birds the means of subsistence: it would also appear, according to the Prince von Wied, that they do not reject insect diet. The nests are usually built in trees, and only occasionally on the ground. The large white eggs are from two to six in number. It is at present uncertain whether both parents assist in tending their offspring. Bajon informs us that as soon as the young quit the shell they commence climbing about in the underwood, and are fed in the nest; when strong enough, they venture on to the ground, follow their mother like young chickens, and are led about by her in the short grass during the early morning; when fully fledged they go forth into the world on their own account, and the parents probably proceed to rear another brood. Some species only leave the nest when about ten or twelve days old. Amongst the Indians these birds are highly prized as domestic favourites, and soon become so tame as to enjoy being caressed and taken in the hand. Their flesh is also much esteemed.

THE SUPERCILIOUS GUAN.

The SUPERCILIOUS GUAN (_Penelope superciliaris_) represents a group recognisable by their comparatively large size, moderately long tail, and soft plumage, as also by the small crest upon their head, and the absence of feathers on the brow, sides of the neck, and throat. Upon the crown, nape, throat, and breast, the plumage of this species is of a slaty black, shaded with grey; each of the feathers edged with a whitish line, while those of the back, wings, and tail are metallic green, bordered with whitish grey and reddish yellow; the feathers on the belly and rump are brown and yellowish red, and the quills delicately edged with greyish yellow. A whitish brown stripe passes above the brown eye, which is surrounded by a bare patch of black skin; the bare throat is deep flesh-red; the beak greyish brown; and the foot dusky reddish brown. The female is recognisable from her mate by the comparative indistinctness both of the stripes above the eye and the light borders to the feathers. The young are principally of a pale greyish brown, with a reddish yellow line over the eye, and are delicately marked with undulating lines upon the breast, rump, and leg feathers. This bird is twenty-four inches long; the wing measures ten, and the tail ten and a half inches.

The Supercilious Guan is an inhabitant of Brazil, and is particularly numerous in the district of Para: it is called by the Indians "Jack-peva."

THE PIGMY, OR PIPING GUAN.

The PIGMY, or PIPING GUAN (_Pipile leucolophos_), represents a group distinguishable from the above birds by their low tarsi, the slender, sickle-shaped form of the three first wing-quills, the slender, erect, and pointed crest, about three inches long, that adorns their head, and the black, bristle-like growth that covers the cheeks and overspreads the throat in small tufts. The upper portion of the body is principally slate-black, with white outer wing tipped with spots of the same dark shade; the lower part of the back, under breast, belly, and vent are reddish brown; some parts of the throat and breast have a chequered appearance, owing to the white edges of the feathers. The crest is composed of pure white feathers with black shafts; the quills and tail are black, enlivened by a steel-blue sheen; the eye is a deep cherry-colour; the bare face light blue; the throat light red; the beak horn-black, with bright blue base; and the foot red. The female is not so large as her mate, and has a shorter crest, less decided tints, and broader white edges to her feathers. The plumage of the young is dusky brownish black, except on the reddish brown belly and rump; their crest is but slightly developed. This bird is twenty-nine inches long and thirty-nine broad; the wing measures nearly eleven, and tail ten inches and three-quarters. Schomburghk mentions that he met with the Piping Guan in all parts of British Guiana, and saw it in great numbers in the forests near the coast. It is less bold than its congeners, and unlike them, according to the Prince von Wied, builds its nest amongst the branches of the forest trees in which it lives in pairs. Its flesh is excellent, and it is readily tamed. The voice of this species is low and piping.

THE ARACUAN.

The ARACUAN (_Ortalida Aracuan_) and its congeners are smaller than the above birds, with longer tails, and tarsi as long as the centre toe. In the wing the outer primaries are rounded at the tip, and the fifth, sixth, and seventh quills longer than the rest. The cheeks and sides of the throat are bare, the latter divided by a narrow feathered stripe. The plumage, which is composed of soft and rounded feathers, is principally of an olive-brown on the upper portion of the body, with a somewhat redder shade on the crown of the head, and white edges to the feathers on the breast and fore part of the throat; the three outer tail-feathers are tipped with brownish red. The eye is deep brown, and the bare patch that surrounds it blueish black; the unfeathered portions of the throat are flesh-red; the beak light red; and foot pale flesh-red. The female differs but slightly from her mate; the young exhibit much paler tints than the parent birds. This species is twenty inches and a half long, and twenty-three inches and a quarter broad; the wing measures seven and the tail nine inches.

The Aracuan is an inhabitant of Central Brazil, where it is principally met with in the forests of Bahia.

THE HOACTZIN, OR STINK BIRD.

The HOACTZIN, or STINK BIRD (_Opisthocomus cristatus_), the only representative of the tribe to which it belongs, has a slender body, moderately long neck, and wings that extend to about the centre of the tail, which is composed of ten long, broad feathers, graduated at its sides and rounded at the extremity. The bill, which resembles both that of the _Craces_ and of the _Penelopæ_, curves over its lower portion at the tip, is covered with a cere at its base, and is slightly incised at its margins. The tarsi are short, and the long toes, which are not united by a skin, are armed with large, curved, and very sharp claws. The plumage is prolonged upon the head and nape into a long flowing crest, the feathers of which, like those on the neck, are narrow and pointed, while such as cover the rump are large and rounded. The plumage on the belly is almost downy in texture, and that of the back is coarse and harsh. The nape, back, wings, and portion of the quills and the tail are brown, the hinder quills enlivened by a metallic green gloss, and the feathers on the wing-covers whitish, the belly, part of the legs, rump, primary quills, and outer portions of the secondaries are light rust-red. The crest is whitish yellow, partially tipped with black, the eye light brown. The bare part of the face is flesh-pink, the beak greyish brown, with a light tip, and the foot reddish brown. This species is twenty-four inches long; its wing measures thirteen, and tail eleven inches.

The Hoactzin is peculiar to the northern parts of South America, and is common in the thickets and forests near Cameta, not far from the junction of the Talantias with the Para. "In this remarkable bird," says Bates, "the hind toe is not placed high above the level of the rest, as it generally is in the Rasorial order, but lies in the same plane with them, and the shape of the foot thus becomes adapted to the arboreal habits of the bird. This, indeed, may be said to be a distinguishing character of all the birds in equinoctial America that represent the Fowl and Pheasant tribes of the Old World.

"This species lives in considerable flocks on the low trees and bushes bordering streams and lagoons, and feeds on various wild fruits, especially the sour guava (_Psidium_). The natives say it devours the fruit of arborescent arums (_Caladium arborescens_), which grow in crowded masses around the swampy banks of lagoons. Its voice is a harsh grating hiss; this noise is uttered when the birds are alarmed, all the individuals sibilating as they fly heavily away from tree to tree. The _Opisthocomus_ is polygamous, like other members of the order to which it has been assigned. It is never, however, by any chance, seen on the ground, and is nowhere domesticated. The flesh has an unpleasant odour of musk combined with that of wet hides, a smell called by the Brazilians _catinga_, and it is therefore uneatable. If it be as unpalatable to carnivorous animals as it is to man, the immunity from persecution which this bird would thereby enjoy would account for its existing in such great numbers throughout the country."

The Hoactzin is by no means shy, and will allow the hunter to approach very near. If alarmed at the report of a gun, the whole flock take flight crying "cra, cra," and all alight close to each other on the branches of some tree a few paces further off. The strong and most unpleasant odour emitted by the bodies of these birds is supposed to be imparted by the leaves of the trees on which they principally subsist. So powerful is the musky smell thus acquired that the natives employ the flesh as bait for certain fishes. Schomburghk is inclined to doubt whether this strong odour is to be thus accounted for, and tells us that stuffed specimens retain their disagreeable scent for several years. The very loosely-constructed nest of the _Opisthocomus_ is placed in low bushes near the water; the eggs, three or four in number, are greyish white, spotted with red; in shape they resemble those of the _Penelopæ_, whilst the markings are similar to those of the Rails.

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The TINAMOUS (_Crypturidæ_), as the birds belonging to the last division of this order are called, constitute a group of very remarkable South American species, recognisable by their powerful bodies, long thin neck, small flat head, and long, slender, curved bill. The tarsus is long, the sole of the foot rough, and the small hinder toe, which is placed high up, is in some instances so short as to be nothing more than a claw. The feathers on the head and throat are small, whilst those on the rump are large, broad, and strong. The short rounded wings have the fourth or fifth of their slender and pointed primaries longer than the rest; the tail is composed of ten or twelve narrow feathers, so short as to be concealed by the long tail-covers, or in some instances they are entirely wanting. The sexes are alike both in their coloration and general appearance. These birds inhabit a large portion of South America, and frequent the most various situations, open plains, dense thickets, or mountain regions; each have their appointed occupants: whilst some are met with exclusively at an altitude of more than 2,000 feet about the level of the sea. Their flight is heavy, and is but seldom resorted to as a means of escape; upon the ground they run with great rapidity, somewhat after the manner of a Quail, and if disturbed, at once crouch down or conceal themselves amongst the long grass. Such species as frequent forests pass the night upon the lower branches of trees. Their voice consists of a series of deep and high piping notes, uttered by some during the day, and by others only when seeking their roosting-place for the night or early in the morning. The intelligence of the _Crypturidæ_ is very limited, and if alarmed they appear to become almost stupefied. Of one species Mr. Darwin tells us that a man on horseback, by riding round and round so as to approach nearer each time, may knock as many on the head as he pleases. The more common method is to catch them with a running noose or little lasso, made of an ostrich-feather fastened to the end of a stick; a boy on a horse will frequently thus catch thirty or forty in a day. Guns, dogs, and snares are also employed in their capture, owing to the length of the grass in which they take refuge. European dogs, even if well trained, are not of much value in their pursuit; the Indian dog, on the contrary, Tschudi informs us, seldom fails to seize the game. Fruits, portions of leaves, insects, and seeds, constitute the food of these birds, and to the bitter taste of some of the latter is probably to be attributed a peculiar, disagreeable flavour occasionally observable in their flesh. We are at present without reliable information respecting their incubation, beyond the facts that they make a slight nest upon the ground, and are usually seen in pairs. The eggs are of uniform hue, with a beautifully bright gloss on the shell. The young only remain for a short time under their mother's care, and, as with the Quails, soon wander forth to obtain their own subsistence. Schomburghk mentions having seen these birds kept and tamed in the huts of the Indians, but pronounces them to be very uninteresting favourites.

THE TATAUPA.

The TATAUPA (_Crypturus Tataupa_) represents a division of the above birds recognisable by their powerful body, short pigeon-like neck, moderately large head, and slender, slightly-curved beak, which exceeds the head in length, and is much flattened towards the lower part of the culmen. The first quill in the short wing is very small, and the fourth longer than the rest; the tail-feathers are entirely wanting, and the foot, which is of moderate height, has the hinder toe but slightly developed. The rich, dark plumage is grey upon the head, throat, and breast, whilst the back, wings, and tail-covers are reddish brown, and the rump-feathers black or deep brown edged with white and yellow. The eye is reddish light brown, the beak coral-red, and the foot flesh-brown. The length of this species is nine inches and a half, and its breadth fifteen inches; the wing measures four inches and three-quarters. The female bird is scarcely distinguishable from her mate in the coloration of her plumage, whilst the young are at once recognisable by the dull brownish grey feathers on their head, throat, and under side, and the deep greyish yellow hue of the belly, which is distinctly spotted with a darker shade. The Tataupa is met with in portions of Eastern Brazil, and is especially numerous in some parts of Bahia. According to the Prince von Wied it prefers open quarters to forest land, and runs with great rapidity over the ground. Towards evening it utters a very peculiar cry, consisting of two long-sustained notes, followed by six or eight of the same tone, but short and quickly repeated. In their other habits they resemble the Tinamous. The nest is made on the ground, the eggs are about the size of those of a Pigeon, and, according to Brehm, of a glossy, pale-chocolate hue. The flesh of the Tataupa is much esteemed as an article of food; when cooked it is white and almost without fat.

THE INAMBU.

The INAMBU (_Rhynchotus rufescens_) represents a group recognisable by their great size, powerful body, long neck, small head, and slender, slightly-curved beak, which exceeds the head in length, and is bluntly rounded at its extremity. The wings are short and vaulted, with pointed primaries, of which the first is very small and the fourth the longest. The foot is high and furnished with long front toes and a well-developed hinder toe. The plumage, which upon the cheeks and bridles is composed of remarkably small feathers, is principally of a reddish yellow, the region of the throat being of a whitish hue, and the crown of the head streaked with black. The feathers on the back, wings, and tail-covers are also striped with black, and have two broad black lines above their yellow border. The primaries are of uniform bright yellowish red, and the secondaries grey, marked with undulating black and grey lines. The eye is yellowish brown; the beak brown with a pale yellowish brown base to the lower mandible, and the foot flesh-brown. The length of this species is sixteen inches; the wing measures eight inches.

The Inambu is an inhabitant of Central Brazil, being specially numerous in St. Paul's, Southern Minas, and Goyaz: Darwin met with it in the sterile country near Bahia Blanca, where it frequented swampy thickets on the borders of lakes. According to that naturalist it lies low and is unwilling to rise, but often utters a very shrill whistle whilst on the ground. The flesh when cooked is quite white. The Inambu is a constant object of pursuit to the sportsman, and to this fact is no doubt attributable the shyness it exhibits at the approach of danger; if alarmed it at once seeks shelter in the grass, and only has recourse to its wings if sorely pressed. Occasionally, but rarely, these birds are met with associated in considerable numbers. According to Burmeister they fly about during the twilight hours, and make their nest in a thick bush. The eggs, from six to eight in number, are of a very glossy dark grey colour shaded with violet.

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The AMERICAN QUAILS (_Nothura_) are a race of small birds that nearly resemble the European Quail in their general appearance, and like it make their homes in the long grass of open pastures. The plumage of this group is thick, composed of long narrow feathers, and the beak is short and much hooked at its extremity. The first wing-quill is very short, the second comparatively large, and the fourth longer than the rest. The tail-feathers, which in some species are of remarkable size, are soft in texture; the foot is strong, and the hind toe moderately developed. These timid birds inhabit South America, frequenting both the open grassy plains that border the large rivers, and the barren tracts of the warmer portions of the continent. If alarmed they conceal themselves in bushes, or crouch close to the ground and do not readily have recourse to their wings. Insects and small fruits constitute their means of subsistence.

THE LESSER MEXICAN QUAIL.

The LESSER MEXICAN QUAIL (_Nothura nana_) has the plumage on the back of a greyish yellow; the breast whitish yellow, and the throat pure white. The feathers on the back are striped with black and edged with pale grey at the sides; the head and nape are spotted in stripes, and the side and belly transversely striped. The tail-covers of the male bird are covered with long, downy feathers, which form a flowing train. This species is six inches long and nine inches and half broad. The female is about an inch shorter than her mate.

This Quail inhabits the grassy plains of Paraguay, and is by no means so rare as has been supposed. Owing to the shyness of its habits, it is frequently overlooked by sportsmen, as, if alarmed, it lies concealed in the long grass, only rises on the wing when danger is close at hand, and flying to a short distance, again seeks shelter; if once more disturbed we are told it does not again quit its hiding-place; and, according to Azara, will even allow itself to be taken with the hand rather than leave its cover. As the breeding season approaches it becomes more lively, and utters a penetrating cry.

THE MACUCA.