Cariama

Cariama (Dicholophus cristatus), a South American bird, regarded by some as allied to Cranes, and referred to the order Grallæ, by others as a game bird, and placed among the Gallinaceæ, but most probably ranked along with the Secretary among the Birds of Prey. The beak is hooked at the point, the forehead bears a tuft of feathers, the wings are short and little used, the tail is long and rounded, and the short claws are much bent and sharply pointed. It is larger than the common heron, predominantly brown and gray in colour, shy in habit and swift of foot, living on insects, amphibia, reptiles, and also small birds and mammals. The bird frequents the grassy regions of Guiana, Brazil, and Paraguay. Its flesh is much esteemed.