(CRESTED CARIAMA.)
+La Saria+, _Azara, Apunt._ iii. p. 101 (Paraguay). +Dicholophus
cristatus+, _Burm. Syst. Ueb. Vög. Brasil._ iii. p. 401; _id.
Abh. nat. Ges. Halle_, i. p. 11 (1854). +Cariama cristata+, _Scl.
et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 141.
_Description._--Plumage yellowish grey, with numerous narrow darker
and lighter cross bands; lower belly not banded; wings and tail
blackish brown, with broad white cross bands; breast with pale
shaft-stripes: front crested; bill and feet reddish: whole length
32·0 inches, wing 14·0, tail 14·0. _Female_ similar, but more
yellowish.
_Hab._ Campos of S.E. Brazil and Paraguay.
The Crested Cariama is a native of the Campos of the interior of Brazil,
where it is well known as the "_Seriema_." Hence it extends into the
open districts of Paraguay, and, it is said, into the adjoining parts of
the Argentine Republic, though we are not able at present to give any
exact authority for this statement.
The Cariama lives on the ground among the high grasses of the Campos,
where the traveller frequently hears its loud screaming cry as he rides
along the tracks. It feeds principally upon insects and caterpillars,
but also eats berries and fleshy fruits, and, it is said, snakes and
other reptiles. It breeds in low bushes; and lays two roundish, spotted
eggs, which in colour somewhat resemble those of the Crakes and Rails.
This bird is often brought alive to Europe, and examples may always be
seen in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London. Here they have
paired and nested on more than one occasion, but have not succeeded in
rearing their young. The frontispiece to the first volume of this work,
which represents the Crested Cariama, is taken from one of these captive
birds.