_Ortalida vetula_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, 1851, 116. (Not
_Penelope vetula_, WAGLER, Isis, 1830, 1112, and 1831, 517.)—SCL.
& SALV. P. Z. S. 1870, 538. (Considers it the same as _P. vetula_,
WAGLER). _Ortalida poliocephala_, CASSIN, Illust. I, IX, 1855, 267,
pl. xliv. (Not _Penelope poliocephala_, WAGLER, Isis, 1830, 1112.)
_Ortalida maccalli_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 611.—IB. M. Bound. II,
Birds, 22.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1866, 24 (S. E. Texas, breeding).—LAWR. Ann.
N. Y. IX, 209 (Yucatan).—SCL. & SALV. P. Z. S. 1870, 538 (Honduras,
Vera Cruz, Guatemala).—REICHENB. Handb. der sp. Orn. Lief, VIII, 145.
(Describes more adult specimens.)
SP. CHAR. Body above dark greenish-olive; beneath brownish-yellow,
tinged with olive. Head and upper part of neck plumbeous. Tail-feathers
lustrous green, all tipped with white, except the middle one. Feathers
along the middle of the throat black; outer edge of primaries tinged
with gray. Eyes brown. Bill and feet lead-colored. Length, 23.50; wing,
8.50; tail, 11.00.
HAB. Valley of the Rio Grande, and southward to Guatemala.
This form is distinguishable from _O. vetula_, as restricted, of which
it is the northern representative, by the paler and less fulvous colors,
and lighter—often nearly white—tips to the tail-feathers, besides
other minor differences in coloration. The two cannot be separated
specifically, however, since they undoubtedly grade into each other.
HABITS. This very remarkable bird, belonging as it does to a form
peculiar to this continent, is the only species found within the limits
of the United States, and only within a quite restricted area in the
valley of the Rio Grande. Numerous species of this family are found in
the warmer countries of America, especially Mexico and Central America,
all or nearly all of which appear to be capable of domestication,
and some of which, including the present species, have, in repeated
instances, been quite as completely domesticated as our common Turkey.
[Illustration: _Ortalida maccalli._]
Birds of the family to which the Texan species belongs differ in a
very marked manner, in habits, from most _Gallinaceæ_, inasmuch as
they not only live almost exclusively in deep forests, but are also
remarkable for habitually frequenting trees, feeding upon their foliage,
and building their nests within their branches, more in the manner of
the smaller birds. They are all said to have loud and discordant voices,
and are generally of a black or dark plumage.
Specimens of this bird were taken at Boquillo, in New Leon, in the
spring of 1853, by Lieutenant Couch, who speaks of them as gregarious
and as seeking their food wholly or in part on trees. According to Mr.
Clark, they do not occur higher up the Rio Grande than the vicinity
of Ringgold Barracks, inhabiting the deepest chaparrals, which they
never quit. They are inactive, and for the most of the time sit about
in flocks in these thickets, feeding on leaves. The Mexican name of
_Chacalacca_ is supposed to be derived from the noise with which at
times they make the valleys ring, and which may be well imitated in
kind, but not in strength, by putting the most stress upon the last two
syllables. No sooner does one take up the song than others chime in
from all quarters, till, apparently exhausted, the noise gradually dies
off into an interlude, only to be again renewed. These concerts take
place in the morning and evening. The birds are quite gentle, are easily
tamed, and are said to cross with the common domestic fowl.
Mr. Dresser states that the Chacalacca is very common near Matamoras
and Brownsville, and that in the autumn great numbers are exposed for
sale in the market of the latter place. The Mexicans are said to hold
it in high esteem for its fighting qualities, and often keep it in a
domesticated state and cross it with the common fowl, making use of the
hybrid for cock-fighting. Mr. Dresser was so informed by many Mexicans,
upon whose word he placed reliance, and was an eyewitness of a fight in
which one of these hybrids was engaged. Mr. Dresser had a tame one, when
at Matamoras, that became so familiar that he could hardly keep it out
of his room. This bird would occasionally go away for a day or two, and
pay a visit to the poultry belonging to a neighbor; whenever he missed
it, he had only to go to a poultry-yard near the house, where it could
generally be found.
This species was first taken within the United States by Colonel McCall,
who obtained it in Texas, and who enjoyed and improved unusually good
opportunities to observe the habits and manners of this bird. From his
notes, quoted by Mr. Cassin, we give the following:—
“This very gallant-looking and spirited bird I saw for the first time
within our territory in the extensive forests of chaparral which envelop
the Resaca de la Palma. Here, and for miles along the Lower Rio Grande,
it was abundant; and throughout this region the remarkable and sonorous
cry of the male bird could not fail to attract and fix the attention
of the most obtuse or listless wanderer who might chance to approach
its abode. By the Mexicans it is called _Chiac-chia-lacca_, an Indian
name, without doubt derived from the peculiar cry of the bird, which
strikingly resembles a repetition of these syllables. And when I assure
you that its voice, in compass, is equal to that of the Guinea-fowl,
and in harshness but little inferior, you may form some idea of the
chorus with which the forest is made to ring at the hour of sunrise. At
that hour, in the month of April, I have observed a proud and stately
fellow descend from the tree on which he had roosted, and, mounting
upon an old log or stump, commence his clear, shrill cry. This was soon
responded to in a lower tone by the female, the latter always taking
up the strain as soon as the importunate call of her mate had ceased.
Thus alternating, one pair after another would join in the matutinal
chorus, and, before the rising sun had lighted up their close retreat,
the woods would ring with the din of a hundred voices, as the happy
couples met after the period of separation and repose. When at length
all this clatter had terminated, the parties quietly betook themselves
to their morning meal. If surprised while thus employed, they would fly
into the trees above, and, peering down with stretched necks, and heads
turned sideways to the ground, they would challenge the intruder with a
singular and oft-repeated croaking note, of which it would be difficult
to give any adequate idea with words alone.”
Colonel McCall adds that the volubility and singularity of its voice
is its most striking and remarkable trait. While on his march from
Matamoras to Tampico he had encamped, on the 30th of December, at the
spring of Encinal, whence, a short time before sunset, he rode out
in search of game. Passing through a woodland near the stream, his
ears were saluted with a strange sound that resembled somewhat the
cry of the panther (_Felis onca_). He was at a loss to what animal to
ascribe it, and, dismounting, crawled cautiously through the thicket
for some distance, until he came upon an opening where there were some
larger trees, from the lower branches of one of which he ascertained
that the sound proceeded. There he discovered a large male bird of
this species, ascending towards the top of the tree, and uttering this
hitherto unheard sound, as he sprang from branch to branch in mounting
to his roost. In a few moments his call was answered from a distance,
and soon after he was joined by a bird of the year. Others followed,
coming in from different quarters, and there were in a little while five
or six upon the tree. One of these discovered the intruder and gave the
alarm. The singular cry of the old bird ceased, and they all began to
exhibit uneasiness and a disposition to fly, whereupon Colonel McCall
shot the old bird.
Colonel McCall also states that the eye is a remarkable feature in the
living birds of this species, being full of courage and animation,
equal, in fact, in brilliancy to that of the finest gamecock. He
frequently noticed this bird domesticated by the Mexicans at Matamoras,
Monterey, etc., and going at large about their gardens. He was assured
that in that condition it not unfrequently crossed with the common fowl.
In the wild state the eggs are said to be from six to eight, never
exceeding the last number. They are white, without spots, and rather
smaller than a pullet’s egg. The nest is usually on the ground, at the
root of a large tree or at the side of an old log, where a hole several
inches deep is scratched in the ground; this is lined with leaves, and
the eggs are always carefully covered with the same when the female
leaves them for the purpose of feeding. If disturbed while on her nest,
she flies at the intruder with great spirit and determination.
Eggs of this species, from Matamoras, are of an oblong-oval shape,
equally pointed at either end, and measure 2.35 inches in length by 1.65
in breadth. They are of a dirty-white color with a light tint of buff,
and have a slightly roughened or granulated surface.