The COCK OF THE ROCK (_Rupicola crocea_), the best known species of this
group, has been minutely described by many writers. The rich plumage
of the adult male is of a bright orange-yellow; the feathers that form
the crest are deep purplish red; the large wing-covers, quills, and
tail-feathers brown, edged with white at their tips, and marked with
large white spots. The females and young are of an uniform brown; the
lower wing-covers orange-red; the rump and tail-feathers light reddish
brown; and their crest considerably smaller than that of the male. All
have orange-red eyes, greyish yellow beaks, and yellowish flesh-pink
feet. The male is twelve inches long; his wing measures seven and his
tail nine inches, the female is at least two inches smaller.
The Cock of the Rock is an inhabitant of Guiana and North-eastern Brazil,
where it frequents well-watered mountain regions, and the immediate
vicinity of waterfalls, only quitting these localities about June or
July, to visit the woods and forests, in order to procure the abundant
supply of ripe fruit that awaits it at that season; but it never, even
during these excursions, descends into the open plains. Humboldt met with
these birds on the shores of the Orinoco, and Schomburghk encountered
them twice, each time in large flocks, whilst he was travelling through
British Guiana, once on the Canuku Mountains, and again amongst the
sandstone rocks near Wenham Lake. "On one occasion," says Schomburghk,
"after ascending to the summit of a lofty precipice, so entirely covered
with huge blocks of granite overgrown with moss and ferns as to be almost
impassable, we came suddenly upon a small open spot, entirely destitute
of vegetation. A signal from the Indian who accompanied me warned me to
conceal myself silently amongst the surrounding brushwood. We had only
been for a few moments thus hidden from view, when we heard a sound so
exactly resembling the cry of a kitten that I concluded we were about
to attempt the capture of some small quadruped. The cry was instantly
and most exactly imitated by my guide, and he was again answered by
similar voices proceeding from every direction. In spite of a sign from
the Indian to have my gun in readiness, the first sight of the beautiful
birds, whose strange notes had thus deceived me, took me so completely
by surprise, that I quite forgot to fire until too late; for after
darting rapidly from the bushes, and ascertaining by a rapid glance that
they had been deluded by a false cry, they instantly retreated to their
former shelter. Before leaving the spot, however, I succeeded in shooting
seven of the flock, but was not fortunate enough to see them perform the
peculiar dances and evolutions I had heard described by my brother and
my Indian guide." We will give our readers a description of the strange
and interesting spectacle here alluded to, as afterwards witnessed by
himself; in the same naturalist's own words:--"Having at last attained a
suitable spot, we listened breathlessly for the cry of the birds, and my
guides having ascertained exactly where they were amusing themselves, I
was noiselessly conducted behind some bushes close to their ball-room,
and after we had lain ourselves flat on the ground, saw one Of the most
attractive and extraordinary sights I ever beheld. Some twenty of these
glorious birds were seated upon the stones and rocks around a small open
space, in the centre of which a solitary male was dancing vigorously,
and performing a great variety of evolutions, alternately springing
repeatedly with both feet from the ground, spreading his wings, and
moving his head, with most comical gestures, from side to side, waving
his tail like a wheel through the air, and then, when nearly exhausted
by his long-sustained exertions, concluding by walking coquettishly
around the open space, as though desirous to receive the applause of the
spectators, which the females expressed by uttering a very peculiar cry.
One after another the males came down and took their turn in amusing the
company, each going back to his seat before another performer commenced.
So completely absorbed was I in watching these strange evolutions, that I
had entirely forgotten my Indian companions, and was much startled when a
sudden shot was heard, and four of these beautiful birds fell. The rest
of the party at once rose in great terror, leaving their companions dead
upon the ground."
The remarkable performance thus described by Schomburghk is no doubt a
part of the courtship of the Cock of the Rock. We learn from the same
authority that the nestlings are to be found at all seasons of the year,
but in the greatest numbers about March, when the plumage of the male is
in its full beauty. The nests found by Humboldt in Orinoco were made in
holes in the granite rocks, whilst those seen by Schomburghk were built
in clefts and fissures, suspended like the nest of a Swallow, and covered
with resin. One of these nests is often occupied for years together,
and repaired by the addition of fresh fibres, feathers, or down, for
the reception of each new brood. It is by no means uncommon to find a
great number of nests in the same cleft or hole. The brood consists of
two white eggs, marked with black, and somewhat larger than those of a
Pigeon. The nestlings are reared upon the same fruits and berries that
afford the parents their principal means of subsistence. Great numbers of
these splendid birds are shot annually, as their skins not only command a
high price, but are much employed by the Indians in making a variety of
beautiful decorations: a large state mantle worn by the Emperor of Brazil
was entirely composed of their feathers. In some districts of South
America the natives are compelled to bring a certain supply of skins as
tribute, and are thus quickly diminishing the numbers of these elegant
creatures. Their flesh is well-flavoured, but of a very peculiar colour,
being bright orange-red. Humboldt tells us that the Cock of the Rock is
much valued by the Indians as a domestic favourite, and is kept by them
in cages made of the stalks of palm-leaves.
[Illustration: THE COCK OF THE ROCK (_Rupicola crocea_).]
Another very similar species, found only in Peru, the Peruvian Cock of
the Rock (_Rupicola Peruana_), lives entirely amongst trees, upon the
berries and fruits of which it subsists; but it exhibits none of the
dancing propensities of its Brazilian relative. We learn from Tschudi
that in no instance did he ever see one of these Peruvian birds either
on rocks or upon the ground, but always associated in large flocks, that
lived and built their nests upon trees. He tells us that they are easily
discovered from a considerable distance by their loud and most discordant
cry.
* * * * *
The TRUE MANAKINS (_Pipra_) comprise a number of small and most
magnificently-tinted birds, distinguished by the shortness of their wings
and tails. In the former the primary quills are graduated, very narrow
towards the tip, and do not extend beyond the base of the small tail,
which is either conical or quite straight at its extremity. The short
high beak is compressed at its centre, slightly incised directly behind
the hook that terminates the upper mandible, and furnished with a sharp
ridge at its culmen. The tarsi are high and thin, and the toes short,
the outer and centre toes being united as far as the first joint. The
compact thick plumage is extremely short in the region of the forehead,
and takes the form of fine bristles around the nostrils and the base of
the beak. In the coloration of the male, black predominates, affording
a rich contrast to the glowing fiery tints that adorn some parts of
his body; whilst the females and young usually appear in a modest garb
of greyish green. The Manakins live in pairs, or small parties, and
principally frequent the inmost glades of their native woods and forests,
hopping from bough to bough with untiring sprightliness, and enlivening
the most gloomy recesses of their sylvan haunts by their gay colours and
animated twitter. Before noon these pairs or parties unite with other
birds in search of food, and at the approach of the mid-day heat again
retire to their favourite sheltered nooks. Insects, fruits, and berries
of various kinds, constitute their principal food, and to obtain these
they occasionally venture near the abode of man. Schomburghk mentions
having seen several of these usually very timid birds approach his tent
daily, in order to gather the ripe fruit from some fig-trees that grew
close to his encampment. The nest of the Manakins is carelessly formed of
moss, and lined with cotton wool. The two eggs that constitute a brood
are unusually elongated, of a pale tint, and marked with delicate spots
that generally form a wreath at the broad end.
* * * * *
The LONG-TAILED MANAKINS (_Chiroxiphia_) constitute a prominent group of
the family under consideration, and are recognisable by the prolongation
of the centre tail-feathers, this peculiarity being particularly
observable in the male.