Want of precise information.-Expected results from the Zoological Society.Its great advantages.-Disappointments.-Causes thereof.-Erroneous Assumptions.-The limited power of Man.-Domesticability of Cracidæ.-Former attempts.-Natural disposition of the bird.-Imported long ago.-Ill success at the Zoological Gardens.-The Cracidæ at Knowsley.-Arboreal habits.-Of tender constitution.-Curassows at home.-Tame, not domesticated.-Not common in S. America.-M. Ameshoff's festin d'Heliogabale.-Eggs.

"THE Correso is a larger Fowl than the Quam; the Cock is black, the Hen is of a dark brown. The Cock has a Crown of black Feathers on his head, and appears

very stately. These live also on Berries, and are very good to eat; but their bones are said to be poisonous ; therefore we do either burn or bury them, or throw them into the water, for fear our Dogs should eat them." *

We do not now believe the bones of the "Correso" to be poisonous, nor take much precaution to keep them out of the way of such dogs as have the chance of eating them; but with really important and even with veritable particulars concerning this bird and the species allied to it, we are very little better acquainted than was the voyager whom we have just quoted. The information at present obtainable in books, or elsewhere, respecting the mere rarity or abundance of curassows in their native country, the degree to which they have been, not tamed, but truly and actually domesticated there, and the amount of success likely to be attained in increasing them as a serviceable stock of poultry in England, is of a most conflicting character. For instance, nothing that can be called even moderate success has hitherto attended the efforts made to propagate them in Great Britain; while in Holland, we are told, one gentleman used occasionally to produce them on his dinnertable. Their flesh is reputed so exquisite a viand, and their manners and appearance are known to be so gentle and engaging, that, although some persons might object to the loudness and harshness of their voice, they ought certainly to be added to our list of profitable live stock, if such an alliance with them can possibly be effected; if it cannot, the actual impossibility of their naturalisation here ought to be proved and publicly announced after being fairly tested, and the causes of it ascertained, in order to prevent well-meaning experi* Dampier's Voyages.

CHAP. I.]

EXPECTED RESULTS.

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mentalists from incurring further expense in useless efforts, and to stop the continued lamentations in agricultural and natural history books that they are not yet generally reared in our farm-yards; which lamentations are to be found in almost every ornithological work which mentions the tribe. The investigation of the difficulty, moreover, whether it shall finally be pronounced to be superable or insuperable, may perhaps establish some principles to guide us in speculating on the probable results of future similar experiments. At the present date, their high price, varying from 61. to 127. the pair, shows that they are anything but vulgar birds, and that a hindrance to their rapid increase on the old continent has hitherto existed in some yet undiscovered cause.

When the Zoological Society of London was established, nearly 30 years ago, it was intended by its projectors to bear the same relation to Zoology as a science, by the introduction of living birds and animals, that the Horticultural does to Botany; and sanguine hopes were naturally and reasonably entertained of its being the means of making numerous and valuable additions to our stock of domesticated creatures. Our preserves were to be made the retreat of unknown game birds; Bustards, Guans, Curassows, and a throng of foreign Ducks and Geese, were to give variety to the poultry yard and luxurious plenty to the larder; Alpacas, Guanacos, and Vicunas were to come in as useful auxiliaries to the sheep farm, and an addition to our flocks and herds; and even one or two new beasts of burden, beautiful as the Zebra, docile as the Horse, agile as the Antelope, and perhaps of half-elephant power in strength, were hoped to be procurable. At

Q

the outset, Sir Stamford Raffles directed his attention more particularly to the scientific department; while Sir Humphrey Davy was to look principally to its practical and immediate utility to the country gentleman and the farmer; and although the Society was too soon deprived by an early death of the great services of both those gentlemen, they have left most able successors. Scientific Zoology has really advanced with rapid strides ; but, in spite of every effort, the practical results and available importations have unfortunately been exceedingly few.

It should also be remembered, that the Society has had unprecedented means at command; that it is composed of noblemen and gentlemen of rank, wealth, education, and ability; that similar experiments on the domestication of untried creatures have been concurrently carried on in other establishments-witness the princely menageries of the Earl of Derby and of Sir Robert Heron; that it makes no secret of its proceedings and their results, but with a courtesy and liberality which deserve the fullest acknowledgment, gladly affords every aid to the naturalist who is in true and earnest search after information.

But, notwithstanding all this, it is an undeniable reproach to Ornithology, and, it must be confessed, to Zoology in general, that those sciences, in the literature to which they have as yet given rise, have proved of little service as far as regards any suggestions respecting what we are likely to expect and obtain from comparatively untried birds and animals. Compare them with Botany and Horticulture, and it might be pronounced, in a hasty judgment, that they ought to retire abashed. From Botany and Horticulture we have in recent times derived wholesome and substantial vegeta