J A B I R U . 23
hind-head are a few greyilh feathers: the legs are ftrong, o f a
great length, and covered with black fcales : wings and tail even
at the end.
This bird is found in all the favannas of Cayenne, Guiana, and
other parts of South America. It makes its neft in great trees,
which grow on the borders; lays two eggs, and brings up the
young in the neft till they can defcend to the earth. The food
is fifl}. The colour of the young birds is grey ; the fecond year
it changes to roje-colour, and the third pure white : they are faid
to be very voracious, taking great quantities of fifl) to fatisfy
them. In their nature are very wild. The flefti is good to eat,
but that of young birds only, as the old ones are hard and oily.
M. Bajon is inclined to think that this bird is the American
Oftrich of authors * ; and indeed, on canvaffing matters, I cannot
with-hold my aflent to the fame opinion, for many reafons : in the
firft place, there is no figure of that bird extant, writers referring
to that of Nieremberg f , which is clearly the Caffowary : fecondly,
the very great fimilarity of names in the birds quoted by authors,
viz. Nhandhuguacu, for the Oftrich of America, by Marcgrave J ;
Jabiru-guacu, and Nhandhu-ayoa ||, for a greater Jabiru ; again,
Jabiru §, for a fmaller fpecies. Thefe names feem to run much
into one another; the laft is alfo, according to Barrere, called
Aouarou, by the inhabitants of Guiana. This author alfo likens
• Struthio Rhea, Lin. Sjß. i. p. 266. 3— Thouyou, Brif. On. v. p. 8.
Buf. Oif. i. 452.— Nhandugaaca, or American Oftrich, Rail Sjn. p. 36. 2.
Will. Ora. p. 150.
t Hiß. p. 118.— See the fame fig. in AUrov. iii. p. J41.
J Hiß. Braß p. 290, Pi/on. Hiß. Nat. N° 84.
II Mar eg. p. 200. i Ibid.
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