CURASSOW, a group of gallinaceous birds forming one of the subfamilies of Cracidae (Cracinae), which includes the finest game birds of S. America. They are large heavy birds, with short wings, long broad tail and strong bill. The hind toe is placed on a level with the others, unlike the majority of galli naceous birds. With the exception of one species found north of Panama, the curassows are confined to S. America, east of the Andes, and not extending south of Paraguay. They live in small flocks, and are arboreal. Their nests are neat structures, made of slender branches interlaced with blades of grass, and lined with leaves. They feed on fruits, seeds and insects. They are often tamed but have never been thoroughly domesticated. Their flesh is white and delicate.
Crax globicera, found in Mexico, is about three ft. in length, of a glossy black except for the white abdomen and tail cov erts. In common with the other species its head bears a crest of feathers curled forward at the tips, which can be raised or depressed at will. The female is reddish brown. In one species (C. incommoda) the greater part of the black plumage is beauti fully varied with narrow bars of white. The galeated curassow (Pauxi galeata) has a large blue tubercle, resembling a hen's egg in size and shape, situated at the base of the bill, and much larger in the male.