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.
* * * * *
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.