The COMMON or CRESTED CURASSOW (_Crax alector_) is nearly as large as a
Turkey, being about thirty-six inches long. Its plumage is of a glossy
black, and gleams with green and purple when exposed to the rays of the
sun; the belly is white. The stout black beak is furnished with a large
yellow cere at the base of both mandibles, and the eye is surrounded by
a bare skin. The female is black only upon the head, neck, and breast;
the feathers upon her belly are rust-red, and those of her wings and legs
marked with reddish yellow.
This fine bird is common in Brazil, from Guiana to Paraguay, and is called
"Powese" by the natives on account of its cry, which is said to resemble
that word. Its flesh is much valued and forms an important article of food
to the planters. In their native woods these birds exhibit little fear of
man, but become more cautious when in the vicinity of human habitations;
they are readily tamed, however, and are constantly kept by the natives as
domestic pets. Sonnini mentions having seen them, when in Guiana, running
freely about in the streets and entering the houses to obtain food; at
night they slept on the house-tops or similar situations, and Bates gives
an interesting account of a fine specimen that he saw running about a
house quite like one of the family. It attended at all the meals, and
passed from one person to another round the table to be fed, attracting
the attention of the guests in a coaxing manner by rubbing its head
against their cheeks and shoulders. At night it slept on a chest close to
the hammock of a little girl to whom it was particularly attached, and
followed her about the grounds in all her walks like a dog.
[Illustration: THE CRESTED CURASSOW (_Crax alector_). ONE-QUARTER NATURAL
SIZE.]