The CAPUEIRA PARTRIDGE (_Odontophorus dentatus_), the largest species
of the entire family, represents a group of powerfully-built birds,
with comparatively long necks and moderate-sized heads, their short
tail, rounded at its extremity, is formed of soft feathers; the short,
decidedly-rounded wing has its fifth and sixth quills longer than the
rest; the strong, hooked beak is compressed at its sides, and has the
high upper mandible much vaulted; the margins of the lower mandible
are furnished with two well-defined tooth-like appendages. The tarsi
are high, the toes long, armed with sharply-pointed hooked claws, and
protected by large horny scales. The plumage, which is alike in the two
sexes, is prolonged into a crest on the head; the eye is surrounded by
a broad, brightly-coloured skin. This species is yellowish brown on
the nape, back, wings, and tail; the crown of the head is brown, and a
cheek-stripe that extends to the nape is reddish yellow, dotted with a
lighter shade: the feathers on the throat and upper portion of the back
are spotted with brown and black, and striped with yellow; those on the
shoulders have a large black triangular patch on the inner web. The
feathers of the wing-covers have a pale, yellow, heart-shaped spot at
their tip, whilst the lower shoulder-feathers and exterior secondaries are
edged with reddish yellow on the inner web, and streaked with black, the
centre part of each being also varied with reddish grey and brown. The
brown primary quills have the outer web dotted with white, and the shaft
grey; the secondaries are marked with reddish yellow on the outer web.
All the feathers on the hinder parts of the body and tail are of mottled
reddish yellow in the centre, with a pale yellow border, and a black spot
at the tip; those on the under side are slate-grey, edged with brown. The
eye is brown, the bare ring that surrounds it deep flesh-red, the beak
black, and the foot greyish red. The female is of paler hue, and the young
show more reddish brown in their plumage than the adult male. The length
of the body is sixteen inches and a half, the wing measures three inches
and a half, and the tail three inches.
This bird is found in suitable localities in most parts of Brazil, from
the Rio de la Plata to the Amazon. We are indebted to the Prince of Wied
for what we know of its life and habits.
"This species," says the prince, "is called 'Capueira' by the Brazilians.
Its habits and mode of life are very similar to those of the Hazel Grouse,
or Gelinotte (_Bonasia sylvestris_). It never frequents the open country,
but confines itself entirely to the thick woods. In the early part of the
year the 'Capueira' lives in pairs, and after the breeding season the
families remain in coveys of from ten to sixteen or more in number. These
birds run very quickly, and procure their food among the dry leaves on
the ground in the midst of the extensive woods. The stomachs of such as I
examined contained fruits, berries, insects, small stones, and a little
sand. The part of the country in which I met with them is the eastern
portion of Southern Brazil, from Rio de Janeiro to 13° south latitude;
by Spix they appear to have been found still farther north. In the vast
forests bordering the rivers Mucuri, Alcobaça, Belmonte, and Ilheo they
were very common, and we frequently killed them for the sake of their
flesh, which is excellent. Their loud and remarkable voice is heard only
in the forests, where it reverberates to a great distance. Azara states
that the cry is uttered by both sexes, but I believe it is emitted by the
male bird only. Like the Domestic Cock in Europe, it frequently aroused us
at the break of day, bidding us, as it were, continue our researches among
the grand but almost impenetrable forests of that magnificent country.
They commenced calling before daybreak, thus affording us ample time for
breakfasting, and enabling us to start by the dawn of the young day."
Azara tells us that the voice of the Capueira consists of two notes;
but on this point he is incorrect, as it comprises three or four notes,
which are frequently and very quickly repeated. Morning and evening the
Capueiras perch on a branch in a line, very near to each other, and at
this time the male birds frequently give utterance to their cry, which
Azara states to resemble the word "uru," but it appeared to me very
different. The nest found by me in the woods near the fine lake called
Lagoa d'Arara (Macaw Lake) was placed on the ground, and contained from
ten to fifteen pure white eggs, which coincides with Sonnini's account;
while Azara's assertion that they are of a violet-blue is doubtless a
mistake, which may probably have arisen, as M. Temminck suggests, from
his having mistaken the eggs of a Tinamou for those of a Capueira. Some
travellers have asserted that they have found the nests of this bird on
trees, and that they were placed in such situations in order that they
might be secure from the attacks of snakes and other enemies; but this is
also a mistake, for were such a precaution necessary, it would be adopted
by all the birds in the country, whereas numerous species, especially
the Tinamous, constantly breed on the ground. The sport afforded by the
Capueira very closely resembles that afforded by the Hazel Grouse. When
a covey was disturbed by the pointers they flew to the trees, the motion
of their wings causing the same rustling sound as those of the Partridge.
Occasionally they might be killed very easily; at other times it was very
difficult to sight them among the dense foliage of the woods. Their flesh,
which is very palatable, forms an excellent article for the table.