Chapter I: Part 1

+---------------------------------------------------------+
| Note: |
| |
| _ around word indicats italics _IN FOUR VOLUMES._ |
| = around word indicats bold =T= |
+---------------------------------------------------------+

THE BLUE GRANDALA ____ Grandala Coelicolor

_about 2/3 Nat. size_]

CASSELL'S

BOOK OF BIRDS.

_FROM THE TEXT OF DR. BREHM._

BY

THOMAS RYMER JONES, F.R.S.,

PROFESSOR OF NATURAL HISTORY AND COMPARATIVE ANATOMY IN KING'S COLLEGE,
LONDON.

WITH UPWARDS OF

Four Hundred Engravings, and a Series of Coloured Plates.

_IN FOUR VOLUMES._

VOL. III.

LONDON:
CASSELL, PETTER, AND GALPIN;
AND NEW YORK

CONTENTS.

PAGE

THE SEARCHERS (_Investigatores_).

THE CLIMBERS. The CLIMBING BIRDS (_Scansor_):--The Tenuirostral.
The FLOWER BIRDS (_Certhiola_). The BLUE BIRDS (_Cæreba_):--The
Sai, or Blue Caereba. The PITPITS (_Certhiola_):--The Banana Quit,
or Black and Yellow Creeper. The HONEYSUCKERS (_Nectarinia_):--The
Abu-Risch. The FIRE HONEYSUCKERS (_Æthopyga_):--The Cadet. The
BENT-BEAKS (_Cyrtostomus_):--The Australian Blossom Rifler. The
SPIDER-EATERS (_Arachnothera_). The HALF-BILLS (_Hemignathus_):--The
Brilliant Half-bill. The HANGING BIRDS (_Arachnocestra_):--The True
Hanging Bird. The HONEY-EATERS (_Meliphaga_). The TRUE HONEY-EATERS
(_Myzomela_):--The Red-headed Honey-eater. The TUFTED HONEY-EATERS
(_Ptilotis_):--The Yellow-throated Tufted Honey-eater. The BRUSH
WATTLE BIRDS (_Melichæra_):--The True Brush Wattle Bird--The Poe,
or Tui. The FRIAR BIRDS (_Tropidorhyncus_):--The "Leatherhead."
The HOOPOES (_Upupa_):--The Common Hoopoe. The TREE HOOPOES
(_Irrisor_):--The Red-beaked Tree Hoopoe 1-15

THE TREE CLIMBERS (_Anabata_). The BUNDLE-NESTS
(_Phacellodomus_):--The Red-fronted Bundle-nest, or Climbing
Thrush. The OVEN BIRDS (_Furnarius_):--The Red Oven Bird. The
GROUND WOODPECKERS (_Geositta_):--The Burrowing Ground Woodpecker.
The STAIR-BEAKS (_Xenops_);--The Hairy-cheeked Stair-beak. THE
NUTHATCHES (_Sitta_)--The Common Nuthatch--The Syrian Nuthatch. The
CREEPERS (_Sittella_):--The Bonneted Creeper. The WALL CREEPERS
(_Tichodroma_):--The Alpine or Red-winged Wall Creeper. The TRUE
TREE CREEPERS (_Certhia_):--The Tree Peckers. TREE CLIMBERS
(_Scandentes_):--The Common Tree Creeper--The Sabre-bill--The
Woodpecker Tree-chopper. The WOODPECKERS (_Picida_). The BLACK
WOODPECKERS (_Dryocopus_):--The European Black Woodpecker. The
GIANT WOODPECKERS (_Campephilus_):--The Imperial Woodpecker--The
Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The BLACK WOODPECKERS (_Melanerpes_):--The
Red-headed Black Woodpecker--The Ant-eating Black Woodpecker.
The VARIEGATED WOODPECKERS (_Picus_):--The Great Spotted
Woodpecker--The Harlequin Woodpecker--The Three-toed Woodpecker.
The GREEN WOODPECKERS (_Cecinus_):--The Green Woodpecker. The
CUCKOO WOODPECKERS (_Colaptes_):--The Golden-winged Woodpecker--The
Red-shafted or Copper Woodpecker--The Field Woodpecker. The
SOFT-TAILED WOODPECKERS (_Picumnus_):--The Dwarf Woodpecker. The
WRY-NECKS (_Yunx_):--The Wry-neck 15-45

HUMMING BIRDS. The HUMMING BIRDS (_Stridor_). The GIANT GNOMES
(_Eustephanus_):--The Giant Humming Bird--The Sword-bill Humming
Bird. The GNOMES (_Polytmus_):--The Saw-bill--The Sickle-billed
Humming Bird. The SUN BIRDS (_Phäetornis_):--The Cayenne Hermit.
The MOUNTAIN NYMPHS (_Oreotrochilus_):--The Chimborazian Hill-star.
The SABRE-WINGS (_Campylopterus_):--De Lattrei's Sabre-wing.
The TRUE SABRE-WINGS (_Platystylopterus_):--The Fawn-coloured
Sabre-wing. The JEWEL HUMMING BIRDS (_Hypophania_):--The Crimson
Topaz Humming Bird--The Black-capped Humming Bird. The WOOD NYMPHS
(_Lampornis_):--The Mango Humming Bird--The Ruby and Topaz Wood
Nymph. The FLOWER NYMPHS (_Florisugus_):--The Brazilian Fairy.
The FLOWER SUCKERS (_Florisuga_):--The Pied Jacobin. THE FAIRIES
(_Trochilus_):--The Ruby-throated Fairy Humming Bird. The AMETHYST
HUMMING BIRDS (_Calliphlox_):--The Amethyst Humming Bird. The
WOODSTARS (_Calothorax_, or _Lucifer_):--Mulsant's Wood-star. The
ELVES (_Lophornithes_). The PLOVER-CRESTS (_Cephalolepis_):--De
Laland's Plover-crest. The COQUETTES (_Lophornis_):--The Splendid
Coquette. The AMAZONS (_Bellatrix_):--The Royal Amazon. The SUN GEMS
(_Heliactinus_):--The Horned Sun Gem. The SYLPHS (_Lesbiæ_). The
RACKET-TAILED SYLPHS (_Steganurus_):--The White-footed Racket-tail.
The COMETS (_Sparganura_):--The Sappho Comet. The MASKED HUMMING
BIRDS (_Microrhamphi_):--The Sharp-bearded Masked Humming Bird--The
Columbian Thornbill. The HELMET CRESTS (_Oxypogon_):--Linden's
Helmet Crest 45-75

THE LIGHT-BEAKS (_Levirostres_). The BEE-EATERS (_Meropes_):--The
Common Bee-eater--The Bee-wolf--The Bridled Bee-eater--The Swallow
Bee-eater--The Australian Bee-eater. The NOCTURNAL BEE-EATERS
(_Nyctiornis_):--The Sangrok. The ROLLERS (_Coracii_):--The
Blue Roller. The DOLLAR BIRDS (_Eurystomus_):--The Australian
Dollar Bird--The Oriental Dollar Bird. The SAW-BILL ROLLERS
(_Prionites_):--The Mot-mot. The BROAD-THROATS (_Eurylaimus_):--The
Sumatran Trowel-beak. The TRUE BROAD-THROATS (_Eurylaimus_):--The
Java Broad-throat--The Raya. The TODIES (_Todi_):--The Tody, or
Green Flat-bill 75-87

THE KINGFISHERS (_Alcedines_):--The European Kingfisher. The PURPLE
KINGFISHERS (_Ceyx_):--The Purple Kingfisher. The GREY KINGFISHERS
(_Ceryle_):--The Grey Kingfisher 87-91

THE ALCYONS (_Halcyones_). The TREE ALCYONS (_Halcyones_):--The
Red-breasted Tree Alcyon. The WOOD ALCYON (_Todiramphus_):--The
Yellow-headed Wood Alcyon--The Blue Alcyon. The GIANT ALCYONS
(_Paralcyon_, or _Dacelo_):--The Laughing Jackass, or Settler's
Clock. The PARADISE ALCYONS (_Tanysiptera_):--The True Paradise
Alcyon. The SAW-BEAKED ALCYONS (_Syma_):--The Poditti. The SLUGGARDS
(_Agornithes_). The JACAMARS (_Galbulæ_):--The True Jacamars--The
Green Jacamar 91-96

THE BUCCOS (_Buccones_). The SLEEPERS (_Nystalus_):--The Tschakuru.
The TRAPPISTS (_Monasta_):--The Dusky Trappist, or Bearded Cuckoo.
The DREAMERS (_Chelidoptera_):--The Dark Dreamer. The TOURACOS,
or TROGONS (_Trogones_). The FIRE TOURACOS (_Harpactes_):--The
Karna, or Malabar Trogon. The FLOWER TOURACOS (_Hapaloderma_):--The
Narina. The TROGONS PROPER (_Trogon_):--The Surukua, or Touraco--The
Pompeo--The Tocoloro. The BEAUTIFUL-TAILED TROGONS (_Calurus_):--The
Peacock Trogon--The Beautiful Trogon--The Quesal, or Resplendent
Trogon 96-105

THE CUCKOOS (_Cuculidæ_). The HONEY GUIDES (_Indicator_):--The
White-beaked Honey Guide. The CUCKOOS (_Cuculus_):--The Common
Cuckoo. The JAY CUCKOOS (_Coccystes_):--The Jay Cuckoo. The
KOELS (_Eudynamys_):--The Koel, or Kuil. The GOLDEN CUCKOOS
(_Chrysococcyx_):--The Didrik, or Golden Cuckoo. The GIANT CUCKOOS
(_Scythrops_):--The Giant Cuckoo, or Channel-bill. The BUSH CUCKOOS
(_Phœnicophæi_):--The Kokil, or Large Green-billed Malkoha. The
RAIN CUCKOOS (_Coccygi_):--The Rain or Yellow-billed Cuckoo--The
Rain Bird. The LONG-TAILED CUCKOOS (_Pyrrhococcyx_):--The
Long-tailed Cuckoo. The TICK-EATERS (_Crotophagæ_). The TRUE
TICK-EATERS (_Crotophaga_):--The Coroya--The Ani, or Savanna
Blackbird--The Wrinkled-beaked Tick-eater. The COUCALS, or
SPURRED CUCKOOS (_Centropodes_):--The Egyptian Coucal. The
CROW PHEASANTS (_Centrococcyx_):--The Hedge Crow. The PHEASANT
COUCALS (_Polophilus_):--The Pheasant Coucal. The BARBETS
(_Capitones_):--The Pearl Bird--The Golden Barbet--The Toucan Barbet
105-127

THE HORNBILLS (_Bucerotidæ_). The TOUCANS (_Ramphastidæ_). The
ARASSARIS (_Pteroglossus_):--The Arassari. The TOUCANS PROPER
(_Ramphastus_):--The Toco Toucan--The Kirima, or Red-billed
Toucan--The Tukana. The HORNBILLS PROPER (_Bucerotes_). The
SMOOTH-BEAKED HORNBILLS (_Rhynchaceros_):--The Tok. The TWO-HORNED
HORNBILLS (_Dichoceros_):--The Homray--The Djolan, or Year Bird--The
Abbagamba, or Abyssinian Hornbill 127-140

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS (_Gallinæ_).

PIGEONS (_Gyratores_). The FRUIT PIGEONS (_Trerones_):--The Parrot
Pigeon. The DOVES (_Columbæ_):--The Ring-dove, Wood Pigeon,
or Cushat--The Stock Dove--The Rock Dove. The CUCKOO PIGEONS
(_Macropygiæ_):--The Passenger Pigeon, or Carolina Turtle-dove.
The TURTLE-DOVES (_Turtures_):--The Turtle-dove. The INDIAN
RING-DOVES (_Streptopeleia_):--The Indian Ring-dove--The Dwarf
Pigeon. The GROUND PIGEONS. The AMERICAN GROUND PIGEONS (_Zenaidæ_).
The SINGING DOVES (_Melopeleia_):--The Kukuli. The SPARROW
PIGEONS (_Pyrgitœnas_):--The Sparrow Pigeon, or Ground Dove. The
SPARROW-HAWK PIGEONS (_Geopeleia_):--The Striped Sparrow-hawk
Pigeon--The Speckled or Wedge-tailed Turtle-dove. The RUNNING
PIGEONS (_Geotrygones_):--The Partridge Dove. The BRONZE-WINGED
PIGEONS (_Phapes_):--The Crested Bronze-wing. The TRUE BRONZE-WINGS
(_Phaps_):--The Common Bronze-wing 141-166

THE QUAIL PIGEONS (_Geophaps_):--The Partridge Bronze-wing. The
WHITE-FLESHED PIGEONS (_Leucosarcia_):--The Wonga-Wonga Pigeon--The
Hackled Ground Pigeon. The CROWNED PIGEONS (_Gouræ_):--The Crowned
Pigeon--The Victoria Crowned Pigeon--The Didunculus, or Toothed
Pigeon 166-172

TRUE GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. The SAND GROUSE (_Pteroclæ_):--The
Ganga, or Large Sand Grouse--The Large Pin-tailed Grouse, or
Khata--The Common Sand Grouse--The Striped Sand Grouse--Pallas's
Sand Grouse. The GROUSE TRIBE (_Tetraonidæ_). The GROUSE PROPER
(_Tetraones_):--The Capercali. The HEATH COCKS (_Lyrurus_):--The
Black Cock--The Hybrid Grouse--The Hazel Grouse--The Prairie Hen, or
Pinnated Grouse 172-195

THE PTARMIGANS (_Lagopus_):--The Willow Ptarmigan--The Alpine or
Grey Ptarmigan--The Red Grouse, Brown Ptarmigan, or Gar Cock 195-202

THE PARTRIDGES (_Perdices_). The SNOW PARTRIDGES
(_Tetraogallus_):--The Caspian Snow Partridge--The Himalayan Snow
Cock, or Snow Pheasant. The RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGES (_Caccabis_):--The
Greek Partridge--The Chuckore--The Red-legged Partridge--The
Barbary Partridge--The Common Partridge. The FRANCOLINS
(_Francolinus_):--The Black Partridge. The BARE-NECKED PHEASANTS
(_Pternistes_):--The Red-necked Pheasants. The AMERICAN PARTRIDGES
(_Odontophori_):--The Capueira Partridge--The Virginian or American
Partridge. The CALIFORNIAN PARTRIDGE (_Lophortyx Californianus_)
and GAMBEL'S PARTRIDGE (_Lophortyx Gambelii_):--The Californian
Partridge--Gambel's Partridge. The QUAILS (_Coturnices_):--The
Common Quail. The DWARF QUAILS (_Excalfactoria_):--The Chinese
Quail. The BUSH QUAIL (_Turnices_):--The Black-breasted Bustard
Quail--The African Bush Quail--The Collared Plain-wanderer 202-228

THE PHASIANIDÆ. The TUFTED PHEASANTS (_Lophophori_):--The Monaul
or Impeyan Pheasant--Lhuys' Pheasant. The TRAGOPANS, or HORNED
PHEASANTS (_Ceriornis_):--The Sikkim Horned Pheasant--The Jewar,
or Western Horned Pheasant. The JUNGLE FOWLS (_Galli_):--Kasintu,
or Red Jungle Fowl--The Jungle Fowl of Ceylon--The Javanese Jungle
Fowl--The Sonnerat Jungle Fowl, or Katakoli. The MACARTNEY PHEASANTS
(_Euplocamus_):--The Siamese Fireback--The Sikkim Kaleege, or Black
Pheasant--The Kelitsch, or White-crested Kaleege Pheasant--The
Silver Pheasant. The PHEASANTS PROPER (_Phasiani_):--The Common
Pheasant--The Chinese Ring-necked Pheasant--The Japanese
Pheasant--Soemmerring's Pheasant--Reeves' Pheasant. The GOLDEN
PHEASANTS (_Thaumalea_):--The Golden Pheasant--Lady Amherst's
Pheasant. The EARED PHEASANTS (_Crossoptilon_):--The Chinese Eared
Pheasant--The Argus Pheasant, or Kuau. The PEACOCK PHEASANTS
(_Polyplectron_):--The Chinquis, or Assam Peacock Pheasant. The
PEACOCKS (_Pavones_):--The Common Peacock--The Black-winged
Peacock--The Japan Peacock. The GUINEA FOWLS (_Numidæ_). The ROYAL
GUINEA FOWLS (_Acryllium_):--The Vulturine Royal Guinea Fowl 228-257

THE TUFTED GUINEA FOWLS (_Guttera_):--Pucheran's Tufted Guinea Fowl.
The GUINEA FOWLS (_Numida_):--The Common Guinea Fowl--The Mitred
Pintado--The Tuft-beaked Pintado. The TURKEYS (_Meleagrides_):--The
Puter, or Wild Turkey. The AUSTRALIAN JUNGLE FOWLS
(_Megapodinæ_). The TALLEGALLI (_Tallegalli_). The BRUSH TURKEYS
(_Catheturus_):--The Brush Turkey, or Wattled Tallegallus--The
Maleo--The Ocellated Leipoa. The MEGAPODES (_Megapodii_):--The
Australian Megapode 256-275

THE CURASSOWS, or HOCCOS (_Cracidæ_). The TRUE CURASSOWS, or
HOCCOS (_Craces_):--The Common or Crested Curassow--The Wattled
Curassow--The Red Curassow--The Galeated Curassow--The Mountain
Curassow, or Lord Derby's Guan. The GUANS (_Penelopæ_):--The
Supercilious Guan--The Pigmy, or Piping Guan--The Aracuan--The
Hoactzin, or Stink Bird. The TINAMOUS (_Crypturidæ_):--The
Tataupa--The Inambu 275-285

THE AMERICAN QUAILS (_Nothura_):--The Lesser Mexican Quail--The
Macuca. The SPUR-FOWLS (_Galloperdices_):--The Painted Spur-fowl
285-286

SHORT-WINGED CURSORIAL BIRDS (_Brevipennes_).

THE OSTRICH (_Struthio camelus_). The NANDUS (_Rhea_):--The Nandu,
or American Ostrich--The Long-billed Nandu--The Dwarf Nandu 287-299

THE EMUS (_Dromæus_):--The Emu--The Spotted Emu 300-302

THE CASSOWARIES (_Casuarii_):--The Helmeted Cassowary--The
Mooruk--The Australian Cassowary. The KIVIS (_Apteryges_):--The
Kivi-Kivi--Mantell's Apteryx--Owen's Apteryx 302-312

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

COLOURED PLATES

PLATE XXI.--THE BLUE GRANDALA.

" XXII.--THE WHISKERED FANTAIL.

" XXIII.--THE CRIMSON TOPAZ.

" XXIV.--THE EUROPEAN BEE-EATER.

" XXV.--THE BEAUTIFUL TROGON.

" XXVI.--THE TOUCAN.

" XXVII.--THE ROCK PIGEON.

" XXVIII.--THE PTARMIGAN.

" XXIX.--THE SANGUINE FRANCOLIN.

" XXX.--THE HASTINGS TRAGOPAN.

WOOD ENGRAVINGS.

FIG. PAGE

1. The Sai, or Blue Caereba (_Cæreba cyanea_) 3

2. The Banana Quit (_Certhiola flaveola_) 4

3. The Abu-Risch (_Hedydipna metallica_) 5

4. The Hanging Bird (_Arachnocestra longirostris_) 9

5. The Poe, or Tui (_Prosthemadera circinata_) 13

6. The Hoopoe (_Upupa epops_) 16

7. The Red Oven Bird (_Furnarius rufus_) 17

8. The Hairy-cheeked Stair-beak (_Xenops genibarbis_) 20

9. The Common Nuthatch (_Sitta cæsia_) 21

10. The Alpine Wall-creeper (_Tichodroma muraria_) 24

11. The Common Tree-creeper (_Certhia familiaris_) 25

12. The Woodpecker Tree-chopper, (_Dendraplex picus_) 28

13. The European Black Woodpecker (_Dryocopus martius_) 29

14. The Ivory-billed Woodpecker (_Campephilus principalis_) 32

15. The Red-headed Black Woodpecker (_Melanerpes
erythrocephalus_) 33

16. The Green Woodpecker (_Gecinus viridis_) 40

17. The Golden-winged Woodpecker (_Colaptes auratus_) 41

18. The Wry-neck (_Yunx torquilla_) 44

19. The Giant Humming Bird (_Patagona gigas_) 48

20. The Sword-bill Humming Bird (_Docimastes ensifer_) 49

21. The Sickle-billed Humming Bird (_Eutoxeres aquila_) 52

22. The Chimborazian Hill-star (_Oreotrochilus Chimborazo_) 53

23. The Crimson Topaz Humming Bird (_Topaza pella_) 56

24. The Brazilian Fairy (_Heliothrix auriculata_) 61

25. The Amethyst Humming Bird (_Calliphlox amethystina_) 65

26. The Splendid Coquette (_Lophornis ornata_) 67

27. The Horned Sun-gem (_Heliactinus cornutus_) 68

28. The White-footed Racket-tail (_Steganurus Underwoodii_) 69

29. The Sappho Comet (_Sparganura Sappho_) 72

30. Humming Birds 73

31. The Bee-wolf (_Melittotheres nubicus_) 77

32. The Australian Bee-eater (_Cosmäerops ornatus_) 80

33. The Blue Roller (_Coracias garrulus_) 81

34. The Mot-mot (_Prionites momota_) 84

35. The Java Broad-throat (_Eurylaimus Javanicus_) 85

36. The European Kingfisher (_Alcedo ispida_) 88

37. Grey Kingfishers (_Ceryle rudis_) 92

38. The Laughing Jackass (_Paralcyon gigas_, or
_Dacelo gigantea_) 93

39. The Green Jacamar (_Galbula viridis_) 97

40. The Dusky Trappist, or Bearded Cuckoo (_Monasta fusca_) 99

41. The Narina (_Hapaloderma narina_) 101

42. Quesals, or Resplendent Trogons (_Calurus paradiseus_, or
_C. resplendens_) 104

43. The Cuckoo (_Cuculus canorus_) 108

44. The Jay Cuckoo (_Coccystes glandarius_) 109

45. The Didrik, or Golden Cuckoo (_Chrysococcyx auratus_) 112

46. The Giant Cuckoo, or Channel-bill (_Scythrops
Novæ-Hollandiæ_) 113

47. The Kokil, or Large Green-billed Malkoha (_Zanclostomus
tristis_) 115

48. The Ani, or Savanna Blackbird (_Crotophaga ani_) 120

49. The Wrinkled-beaked Tick-eater (_Crotophaga rugirostris_) 121

50. The Pheasant Coucal (_Polophilus phasianus_) 124

51. The Pearl Bird (_Trachyphonus margaritatus_) 125

52. The Arassari (_Pteroglossus aracari_) 128

53. The Toco Toucan (_Ramphastus toco_) 129

54. The Tok (_Rhynchaceros erythrorhynchus_) 133

55. The Homray (_Dichoceros bicornis_) 136

56. The Djolan, or Year Bird (_Rhyticeros plicatus_) 137

57. The Abbagamba, or Abyssinian Hornbill (_Bucorax
Abyssinicus_) 139

58. Nestlings of the Abbagamba 140

59. The Parrot Pigeon (_Phalacroteron Abyssinica_) 144

60. The Ring-dove, or Wood Pigeon (_Palumbus torquatus_) 145

61. The Passenger Pigeon (_Ectopistes migratorius_) 148

62. Turtle Doves 156

63. Dwarf Pigeon (_Chalcopeleia Afra_) 157

64. The Kukuli (_Melopeleia meloda_) 160

65. The Striped Sparrow-hawk Pigeon (_Geopeleia striata_) 161

66. The Crested Bronze-wing (_Ocyphaps lophotes_) 164

67. The Bronze-winged Pigeon (_Phaps chalcoptera_) 165

68. The Hackled Ground Pigeon (_Callœnas Nicobarica_) 168

69. The Victoria Crowned Pigeon (_Goura Victoria_) 169

70. Sand Grouse 173

71. The Khata (_Pterocles alchata_) 176

72. The Common Sand Grouse (_Pterocles exustus_) 177

73. Pallas's Sand Grouse, or Sand Grouse of the Steppes 180

74. The Capercali (_Tetrao urogallus_) 184

75. The Black Cock (_Lyrurus tetrix_) 185

76. Hybrid Grouse (_Tetrao medius_) 188

77. Hazel Grouse (_Bonasia sylvestris_) 189

78. The Prairie Hen (_Cupidonia Americana_) 192

79. The Willow Ptarmigan (_Lagopus albus_) 197

80. The Alpine Ptarmigan (_Lagopus Alpinus_), in Summer
plumage 200

81. The Alpine Ptarmigan (_Lagopus Alpinus_), in Winter
plumage 201

82. The Red-legged Partridge (_Caccabis rubra_) 208

83. The Common Partridge (_Perdix cinerea_, or _Starna
cinerea_) 209

84. The Virginian Partridge (_Ortyx Virginianus_) 217

85. The Californian Partridge (_Lophortyx Californianus_) 220

86. The Common Quail (_Coturnix communis_) 221

87. The Chinese Quail (_Excalfactoria Chinensis_) 224

88. The African Bush Quail (_Turnix Africanus_, or _T.
Gibraltariensis_) 228

89. The Monaul, or Impeyan Pheasant (_Lophophorus resplendens_,
_refulgens_, or _Impeyanus_) 229

90. The Sikkim Horned Pheasant (_Ceriornis Satyra_) 233

91. The Kaleege, or Black Pheasant
(_Euplocamus-Gallophasis-melanotus_) 240

92. The Silver Pheasant (_Nycthemerus argentatus_, or
_Euplocamus nycthemerus_) 241

93. Reeves' Pheasant (_Phasianus Reevesii_, or _P. veneratus_) 244

94. The Golden Pheasant (_Thaumalea picta_) 245

95. The Chinese Eared Pheasant (_Crossoptilon auritum_) 248

96. The Argus Pheasant, or Kuau (_Argus giganteus_) 249

97. The Chinquis, or Assam Peacock Pheasant (_Polyplectron
chinquis_) 252

98. The Common Guinea Fowl (_Numida meleagris_) 257

99. The Ocellated Turkey (_Meleagris ocellata_) 260

100. The Brush Turkey (_Catheturus Lathami_) 265

101. The Maleo (_Megacephalon Maleo_) 269

102. The Crested Curassow (_Crax alector_) 277

103. The Hoactzin, or Stink Bird (_Opisthocomus cristatus_) 281

104. The Inambu (_Rhynchotus rufescens_) 284

105. The Ostrich (_Struthio camelus_) 288

106. An Ostrich Hunt 292

107. Nandus (_Rhea Americana_), with Nest and Eggs 293

108. The Nandu, or American Ostrich (_Rhea Americana_) 297

109. The Emu (_Dromæus Novæ-Hollandiæ_) 300

110. Cassowary (_Casuarius galeatus_) 304

111. The Kivi-Kivi (_Apteryx Australis_) 308

112. The Nandu, or Rhea 312

_CASSELL'S_

BOOK OF BIRDS.

THE SEARCHERS (_Investigatores_).

The families which, according to natural arrangement, seem to constitute a third division of the great class of birds are principally characterised by the conditions under which they procure their food, viz., by searching for it in situations where it can only be obtained by diligent investigation or laborious exertion. Their diet is usually of a very mixed description, consisting partly of insects and partly of materials derived from the vegetable creation. Many of them were at one time considered to subsist entirely upon the honeyed juices of the fruits and blossoms, among which they spend the greater part of their lives; and, although it is now generally admitted that the insects which abound in the nectared chalices whence they draw their supplies constitute a principal article of their nutriment, they are not the less on that account to be regarded as riflers of the saccharine stores laid up for their use in many a beautiful cup temptingly held forth for their enjoyment. Such are the Honeysuckers and the gorgeously decorated Humming Birds, whose sumptuous garb would seem literally intended to "gild refined gold and paint the lily." A second important group, constituted likewise for the purpose of preying upon insects, has been specially adapted to climb the trunks of trees in search of the innumerable hosts of destroyers that lurk beneath the bark, or in the crevices of wood in progress of decay. These constitute an extensive family, well exemplified by the Woodpeckers; while others, furnished with beaks and feet of very diverse structure, search everywhere for the particular kind of nourishment upon which they are destined to subsist.

The name we have selected for this extensive division of the feathered creation was first employed by Reichenbach, although not exactly in the same sense as that in which we are going to apply the term, neither can we hit upon any single character whereby all the species included under this denomination can be easily designated; nevertheless, however they may differ among themselves, there is a certain conformity in their structure, and a general resemblance in their habits, which will probably be appreciated when we have put the reader in possession of the details contained in the following pages.

We shall, therefore, at once commence their history, by describing them under the following headings.

THE CLIMBERS.

The CLIMBING BIRDS (_Scansor_) are for the most part recognisable by their slender though powerful body, short neck, and large head. The long or medium-sized beak is either strong and conical, or weak and of a curved form; the feet are short, and the long toes either arranged in pairs or placed together in the usual manner, and armed with long, hooked, and sharp claws. The moderate-sized wing, which is usually rounded at its extremity, and occasionally of great breadth, is never slender or pointed; the formation of the tail is very various. Anything like a general description of the plumage possessed by the different groups of this order would be impossible; some, glittering with gay and even resplendent colours, dart through the air like living gems, whilst others are clad in such dull and sombre livery as to be scarcely distinguishable from the earth or trees upon which they are formed to live. The various representatives of the _Scansor_ may be said to occupy almost every region of our earth; some groups are migratory, and leave their native lands annually with the utmost regularity, whilst others remain throughout the entire year within a certain limited district. Woods and forests are the localities principally occupied by these birds, though they are by no means incapable of ascending rocks, or seeking for their food upon the ground, over the surface of which they run with considerable facility. Their flight is good, but it is upon the trees alone that the _Scansor_ exhibit the full beauty and ease of their movements. All the members of this order consume insects, and many devour fruit, berries, seeds, honey, and the pollen of plants. As regards their powers of song they are by no means gifted; indeed, the most highly endowed amongst them rarely rise above the utterance of a few pleasing notes during the breeding season. The construction of the nests of the _Scansor_ varies so considerably that we shall confine ourselves to speaking of them in their appropriate places.

It is usual among systematic writers to associate many of the birds which we have included in the present order as slender-billed forms of one or other of the preceding divisions, more especially those usually denominated TENUIROSTRES, and perhaps we shall be harshly judged for our departure from the usual custom; be that as it may, the resemblance between some of the Climbing Birds and some Singing Birds is undeniable, and it is upon that ground that we treat of them in this place.

* * * * *

The TENUIROSTRAL species are distinguishable from all others by the slenderness of their beak, which is usually more or less curved, and by the feebleness of their feet, the toes of which are not arranged in pairs. They may be grouped as follows:--

* * * * *

The FLOWER BIRDS (_Certhiola_) constitute a small group of South American species, remarkable for the great beauty of their plumage. All possess a slender body, moderate-sized wing, containing nine primaries (of which the second, third, and fourth are the longest), and a somewhat soft-feathered tail, of medium length. The beak is also of moderate size, much arched at its base, and curved slightly inwards at its margins. The tongue is long, divided, and thread-like at its tip, but not protrusible; the foot is short and powerful. The sexes are readily distinguishable by the diversity of their coloration, the plumage of the male being blue, and that of the female usually green. All the members of this group closely resemble our singing birds in their habits and mode of life; they subsist upon insects, seeds, corn, and berries, in pursuit of which they hop from branch to branch, with ever restless activity. According to the Prince von Wied, they regard fruit of various kinds, particularly oranges, with especial favour, and, when these are ripe, constantly venture into the gardens, even close to dwelling-houses, with all the fearlessness of the Domestic Sparrow; at other seasons they prefer to keep within the shelter of well-wooded thickets. Their song, we believe, consists of but a single note.

* * * * *

The BLUE BIRDS (_Cæreba_) are at once recognisable by their long, thin beak, which is compressed at its sides, and slightly notched near its very sharp tip; the wing is long and pointed, its second and third quills, which are of equal size, exceeding the rest in length. The moderate-sized tail is straight at its extremity; the legs are weak, and the tongue, which is tolerably long, composed of two lobes, terminating in fringed margins.

THE SAI, OR BLUE CAEREBA.

The SAI, or BLUE CAEREBA (_Cæreba cyanea_). The prevailing colour of this beautiful species is a brilliant light blue, shading towards the top of the head into resplendent blueish green; the upper part of the back, wings, and tail, as well as a stripe surrounding the eye, are black, and the inner margins of the wings yellow. The eye is greyish brown, the beak and foot bright orange-red. The plumage of the female is siskin-green on the upper parts of the body, and pale green beneath; the throat is whitish. The length of this species is four inches and two-thirds, the wing measures two inches and a quarter, and the tail one inch and a quarter.

These beautiful birds are met with throughout the greater part of South America, and are especially numerous about Espirito Santo. The Prince von Wied found them in large numbers inhabiting the forests near the coast, and tells us, that except during the breeding season, they live in small parties of six or eight, which disport themselves among the topmost branches of the trees, frequently associating with Tangaras, and such other of the feathered inhabitants of their leafy retreats as are about their own size. Fruit, seeds, and insects constitute their principal means of subsistence, and in pursuit of these they display an agility and dexterity fully equalling that of our own Titmouse. The voice of the Sai is only capable of producing a gentle twitter. Schomburghk mentions that large numbers of a very similar species are destroyed by the natives, who employ the gay and glossy feathers as personal ornaments.

* * * * *

The PITPITS (_Certhiola_) have a high slender beak, which curves gently towards its sharp tip; their wings are long, their tail short, and their tongue divided into two parts, each of which terminates in a brush of thread-like fibres.

THE BANANA QUIT, OR BLACK AND YELLOW CREEPER.

The BANANA QUIT, or BLACK AND YELLOW CREEPER (_Certhiola flaveola_), is blackish brown on the upper parts of the body, and of a beautiful bright yellow on the under side and rump; a line that passes above the eyes, the anterior borders of the primary quills, the tips of the tail, and its two outer feathers are white; the throat is ash-grey, the eye greyish brown, the back is black, and the foot brown. The female is blackish olive on the back, and pale yellow on the under side; in other respects her plumage resembles that of her mate. The length of this species is three inches and five-sixths; the wing measures two inches and one-sixth, and the tail one inch.

"Scarcely larger than the average size of Humming Birds," writes Mr. Gosse, "this little Creeper is often seen in company with them, probing the same flowers, and for the same purpose, but in a very different manner. Instead of hovering in front of each blossom, a task to which his short wings would be utterly incompetent, the Quit alights on the tree, and proceeds in most business-like manner to peep into the flowers, hopping actively from twig to twig, and throwing his body into all positions, often clinging by his feet with his head downwards, the better to reach the blossoms with his curved beak and pencilled tongue; the minute insects which are concealed in the flowers are always the objects of his search. Unsuspectingly familiar, these birds resort much to the blossoming shrubs of enclosed gardens. The soft, sibilant note of the Quit is often uttered while the bird peeps about for food. The nest is frequently built in those low trees and bushes from whose twigs depend the paper nests of the brown wasps, and in close contiguity with them. On the 4th of May, as I was riding to Savannah-le-Mar, I observed a Banana Quit with a bit of silk cotton in her beak, and, on searching, found a nest just commenced in a sage bush (_Lautana camara_). The structure, though incomplete, was evidently about to be a dome, and so far was entirely constructed of silk-cotton. A nest now before me is in the form of a globe, with a small opening in the side. The walls are very thick, composed of dry grass, intermixed irregularly with the down of Asclepias. This nest I found between the twigs of a branch of Bauhinia that projected over the high road, near Content, in St. Elizabeth's. The two eggs were greenish white, thickly but indefinitely dashed with red at the broad end."

In the Eastern Hemisphere the Flower Birds are represented by--

* * * * *

The HONEYSUCKERS (_Nectarinia_). These are small and delicately-constructed birds, adorned with plumage of the most brilliant hues; their body is compact, their beak thin, slightly curved, and sharply pointed. The moderately long wing contains ten primary quills. The formation of the tail is very varied, being either straight, rounded, or wedge-shaped at its extremity; its two centre feathers occasionally extend considerably beyond the rest. The tongue is long, very protrusible, and divided at its tip; the feet are high, and the toes slender. The coloration of the plumage varies not only in the two sexes, but also at different seasons; the feathers are moulted twice in the year, and only exhibit their gay tints during the period of incubation; towards the end of the season the males are clad in the same sombre hues that belong to the females and young. The Honeysuckers inhabit the whole of Africa, Asia, and Oceania, the first-mentioned continent being especially rich in species. Everywhere their glowing colours entitle them to be regarded as the most striking ornaments of the woods, groves, or gardens they inhabit, whilst their intelligence renders the study of their habits extremely interesting. During the greatest part of the year they live in pairs, which occasionally associate into small parties during the breeding season. The nests of the Honeysuckers are constructed with great skill, and are usually suspended from thin branches or twigs. The eggs, which are few in number, are of a pure white.

THE ABU-RISCH.

The ABU-RISCH (_Hedydipna metallica_) represents a group recognisable by their slightly-curved beak, scarcely equalling the head in length; their comparatively short wings, in which the second, third, fourth, and fifth quills are of equal length; and their wedge-shaped tail, the two centre feathers of which are usually considerably prolonged. The male is of a metallic green on the head, throat, back, and shoulder-covers; the under side is bright yellow, a line upon the breast and the rump have a violet sheen; the quills and tail-feathers are blackish blue, the eye brown, and the beak and feet black. The back of the female is of a light olive-brown, and her under side sulphur-yellow; her quills and tail-feathers have light edges. The young resemble the mother, but are of a paler hue. The length of this species is six inches, of which three and a half belong to the centre tail-feathers, the rest do not exceed thirteen and a quarter; the wings measure two inches and one-sixth. The Abu-Risch is met with in all such parts of Africa as afford it the shelter of its favourite mimosa-trees, upon and around which it may literally be said to spend its whole existence. Early in the morning, and towards the close of the day, it usually perches quietly among the branches, and only displays its full vivacity during the noontide heat, when it flutters rapidly from blossom to blossom, in search of food, singing and chirping briskly as it flies in cheerful companionship with its almost inseparable mate. The song of the male is pleasing, and accompanied by a great variety of gesticulations and attitudes, calculated to exhibit his crest and plumage in all their varied beauty to the admiring gaze of the female, who usually endeavours to imitate her partner, but, owing to the comparative dullness of her colours, with a far less imposing result. In Southern Nubia the breeding season commences in March or April. The nest, which is variously formed, is neatly and skilfully woven with cotton-wool and similar materials, and lined with hair or spiders' webs. This pretty little structure is usually suspended from the end of a branch, at no great height from the ground, and is entered by an aperture at the side, frequently so situated that the leaves of the branch overhang and shade the entrance hole. Both parents work busily in constructing this snug apartment for their young, and have seldom completed their labours in less than a fortnight's time. The eggs, which are oval in shape, and white, are incubated by the female alone.

* * * * *

The FIRE HONEYSUCKERS (_Æthopyga_), the Indian representatives of the above group, are recognisable by the comparative thinness of their short but distinctly curved beak. In their wings the fourth quill exceeds the rest in length; the tail is wedge-shaped at its sides, and furnished with two long and slender feathers in its centre. The plumage of the male is enlivened by brightly-tinted stripes on the cheeks, while that of the female is sombre, and almost of uniform tint.

THE CADET.

The CADET (_Æthopyga miles_), one of the most beautiful members of this family, is blood-red on the back; the throat and upper part of the breast are of a somewhat paler crimson; the top of the head is violet, with a bright, metallic, green lustre. The nape is deep olive-yellow, and the belly pale greenish yellow; a steel-blue line, that becomes gradually broader, passes from the corners of the mouth to the sides of the neck; the quills are brown, edged with olive; the two centre tail-feathers are glossy violet-green, and those of the exterior brown, with a purple sheen on the outer web. The eye is dark brown, the upper mandible black, the lower one brown, and the foot greyish black. The female is olive-green on the back, and yellowish green on the under side. The wing measures two inches and three-eighths, and the tail three inches.

The Cadet inhabits the northern and eastern parts of India, and is often met with in the Himalayas at an altitude of 2,500 feet above the level of the sea.

* * * * *

The BENT-BEAKS (_Cyrtostomus_) are distinguishable by their very decidedly curved beak, which equals the head in length, is blunt at its margins, and slightly incised towards its very sharp tip; the tarsus is comparatively high, the tail short and rounded, and the wings, in which the fourth and fifth quills are the longest, of moderate size. The plumage is of an olive-green on the upper parts of the body, and brightly coloured in the region of the throat.

THE AUSTRALIAN BLOSSOM RIFLER.

The AUSTRALIAN BLOSSOM RIFLER (_Cyrtostomus Australis_) is olive-green on the back, and of a beautiful bright yellow on the under side; the throat and upper breast are steel-blue. A short yellow streak passes over the eyes, and beneath this runs a long line of deeper shade; the eye is chestnut-brown, and the beak and feet black. The female is of an uniform yellow on the under side. According to Gould, the body of this species measures four inches and three-quarters, the wing two inches and one-eighth, and the tail two inches and a half.

"This pretty bird," says Macgillivray, as quoted by Gould, "appears to be distributed along the whole coast of Australia, the adjacent islands, and the whole of the islands in Jones's Straits. Although thus generally distributed, it is nowhere numerous, seldom more than a pair being seen together. Its habits resemble those of the _Ptilotes_, with which it often associates, but still more closely those of the _Myzomela azura;_ like those birds, it resorts to the flowering trees, to feed upon the insects which frequent the blossoms, especially those of a species of _Sciodophyllum_. This singular tree, whose range on the north-eastern coast and that of the Australian Sun Bird appears to be the same, is furnished with enormous spike-like racemes of small scarlet flowers, which attract numbers of insects, and thus furnish an abundant supply of appropriate food. The Blossom Rifler is of a pugnacious disposition, as I have more than once seen; it drives away and pursues any visitor to the same tree. Perhaps this disposition is only exhibited during the breeding season. The nests we found at Cape York were pensile, and attached to the twig of a prickly bush; one, measuring seven inches in length, was of an elongated shape, with a rather large opening on one side, close to the top; it was composed of shreds of Melaleuca bark, a few leaves, various fibrous substances, rejectamenta of caterpillars, &c., and lined with the silky cotton of the _Bombyx Australis_. The eggs were pear-shaped, mottled with dirty brown, on a greenish grey ground. Another nest, found at Mount Ernest, Jones's Straits, differs from those seen in Cape York, in having over the entrance a projecting fringe-like hood, composed of the panicles of a delicate grass-like plant. It contained two young birds, and I saw the mother visit them twice in an interval of ten minutes. She glanced past like an arrow, perched at once on the nest, clinging to the lower side of the entrance, and looked round very watchfully for a few seconds before feeding the young, after which she disappeared as suddenly as she arrived."

* * * * *

The SPIDER-EATERS (_Arachnothera_) are short, compactly-built birds, with extraordinarily long and often strangely-formed beaks, which in most species are very decidedly curved and delicately incised at the margins. The nostrils are covered with a skin, and only open inferiorly, where they terminate in a horizontal slit-shaped aperture. The thread-like tongue, which is very long, and greatly resembles that of a butterfly, consists of two fine tubes, which run side by side, and are closely connected along their under surface; a longitudinal groove is interposed between them above. The arrangement of the bones at the base of the tongue, whereby the lingual apparatus is capable of considerable protrusion, is very similar to that observable in the Woodpecker. The feet are powerful, but of medium length, and the wings (in which the fourth quill is the longest) are of moderate size. The sexes are very similar in the coloration of their plumage, in which brownish green, and more or less lively yellow, grey, or green, predominate.

The Spider-eaters usually frequent the most shady retreats in their favourite woods, and but rarely ascend the branches to more than fifteen or twenty feet from the ground. In the Sunda Islands they are principally met with in the coffee plantations, the brushwood that skirts the mountains, or in the thickets of trees and shrubs that surround the villages. In all these situations they are numerous, and are constantly to be seen as they flit from flower to flower in search of the insects and honey upon which they subsist. Small spiders are said to be eagerly devoured by all the members of this family, hence their name of _Arachnothera_. The flight of the Spider-eaters, which is extremely rapid, and in many respects like that of the Woodpecker, is observed by the natives with a superstitious attention, fully equalling the reverence paid by the Romans to the predictions drawn by their augurs from a similar source.

* * * * *

The HALF-BILLS (_Hemignathus_) are a group of Spider-eaters that are easily recognisable by the strange formation of their beak; the upper mandible terminates in a sharp point, and is always much longer than the under portion of the bill, sometimes twice its length. The toes, also, are comparatively long, and the foot short. The plumage is usually green upon the back, and of a yellowish tint beneath. All the members of this group inhabit Oceania.

THE BRILLIANT HALF-BILL.

The BRILLIANT HALF-BILL (_Hemignathus lucidus_), one of the most beautiful members of this group, is olive-green upon the entire mantle, shading into grass-green on the top of the head and at the edges of the wings. A stripe over the eyes, and the sides of the head and throat are orange-red; the breast is bright yellow, the belly of a paler shade, and its lower portion greenish grey. In young birds the back and region of the eye are olive-green, the under side light greenish grey, and the belly pale yellow. This species is six inches long, but of this measurement one inch and three-quarters belong to the tail, and one inch and a quarter to the beak; the lower mandible does not exceed eight lines in length. We are without particulars as to the life of this bird, except that it inhabits the Pisang plantations.

* * * * *

The HANGING BIRDS (_Arachnocestra_) are recognised by the great length of their slightly-curved beak, the base of which is as broad as it is high; the upper mandible is delicately incised, and the entire bill of almost equal thickness, only tapering gently towards the extremity; the legs are slender, the toes long, and the wings (in which the fourth, fifth, and sixth quills exceed the rest in length) of moderate size; the tail is short and rounded.

THE TRUE HANGING BIRDS.

The TRUE HANGING BIRDS (_Arachnocestra longirostris_) are olive-green on the back, and sulphur-yellow on the under side; the throat and upper breast are white, the quills and tail-feathers deep brown, the former edged with olive, and the three outer tail-feathers tipped with white; the beak and feet are blackish grey. This species is six inches and a half long, the wing measures two inches and two-thirds, and the tail one inch and three-quarters.

These birds frequent banana plantations, and usually betray their presence by their shrill chirping cry. Were it not for the constant repetition of their note they would rarely be observed, as the hues of their plumage render it almost impossible to detect them among the foliage. We learn from Bernstein that their manner of building is very remarkable. The oval-shaped nest, some six or seven inches long, and three or four inches broad, is attached by threads to a large leaf, in such a manner that the latter forms the fourth side. Fine grass and fibres are employed for the interior, and half-decayed leaves, of which little more than the fibrous portion remains, are used for the outer wall, so that, when completed, the curious structure has rather the appearance of a substantial spider's web than of a bird's nest. The entrance is at one end. The eggs, two in number, are pure white, spotted with reddish brown at the broad extremity.

* * * * *

The HONEY-EATERS (_Meliphaga_) have a long, slender, slightly-curved beak, the upper mandible of which extends considerably beyond the lower portion. The feet are strong but moderate-sized, and furnished with powerful hinder toes; the wing, also moderate, is rounded, its fourth quill being the longest; the tail varies in its dimensions, but is usually rounded at its extremity; the nostrils are concealed by a cartilaginous skin; the gape is narrow, and the tongue provided with a tuft of delicate fibrous bristles at its tip. The stomach is very small, and but slightly muscular. The plumage, which differs little in the two sexes, varies considerably in different species. In some it is thick, variegated, and much developed in the region of the ear, in others smooth, compact, and of almost uniform colour.

All the Honey-eaters are of a lively and restless disposition, and exhibit the utmost activity both when running upon the ground or climbing amongst the branches; in the latter case, especially, their movements are extremely agile. They are constantly to be seen hanging head downwards from the twigs, whilst engaged in busily searching under the leaves for insects, and in extracting honey from the flowers. Some species fly well, and disport themselves freely in the realms of air, whilst others are incapable of continuing their undulatory flight for more than a short distance. The voice of all is rich and varied, indeed, some members of the group may be regarded as really good singers. Few species are social in their habits; they keep together only in pairs, even when of necessity compelled to take up their abode near each other. Towards man they show the utmost confidence, and come freely down into streets and dwellings; indeed, they exhibit no timidity even towards the more formidable of the feathered kind. Instances have been frequently recorded in which they have boldly opposed Crows, Falcons, and other large birds. Their nests are variously constructed, and the number of eggs is always small.

* * * * *

The TRUE HONEY-EATERS (_Myzomela_) are small birds, with delicate, much curved beaks, powerful feet, and moderate-sized wings and tail. The latter is either straight or slightly incised at its extremity. The plumage is remarkable for its brilliancy.

THE RED-HEADED HONEY-EATER.

The RED-HEADED HONEY-EATER (_Myzomela erythrocephala_) is a beautiful species, bright scarlet upon the head, throat, and rump; the tail and a band upon the breast are chocolate-brown; the lower breast and belly are brownish yellow, the eye is reddish brown, the beak olive-brown, and the foot olive-grey. The female is brown above, and light fawn-colour on the under side. The length of this species is four inches and a half. The wing measures two inches and a quarter, and the tail one inch and three-quarters.

This magnificent little bird frequents the groves and groups of almond-trees that abound in the northern parts of Australia, and enlivens its favourite haunts as much by the briskness and activity of its movements as by the brightness of its plumage. Its voice is sharp and twittering. We are entirely without particulars of the manner in which incubation is carried on.

* * * * *

The TUFTED HONEY-EATERS (_Ptilotis_) are remarkable for the unusual development of the feathers in the region of the ear. Their body is elongate, their wings short, and tail long. The strong, slightly-curved beak is short, and the foot of moderate size.

THE YELLOW-THROATED TUFTED HONEY-EATER.

The YELLOW-THROATED TUFTED HONEY-EATER (_Ptilotis flavigula_) is yellowish green on the back, wings, and tail. The dark grey under side glistens with a silver sheen; the belly and sides are pale olive, the top of the head dark grey, and the throat bright yellow. The feathers that compose the ear-tufts are tipped with yellow, and the outer web of the quills is deep brown. The eye is brown, the beak black, and the foot lead-grey; the gullet and tongue are of a brilliant orange-red. The length of this bird is eight inches; the wing measures four inches and a half, and the tail four inches and a quarter.

"This fine and conspicuous species," says Gould, "is abundant in all the ravines around Hobart Town, and is very generally spread over the whole of Van Dieman's Land, to which island I believe it to be exclusively confined. It is very animated and sprightly, extremely quick in its actions, elegant in its form, and graceful in all its movements; but as its colouring assimilates in a remarkable degree with that of the foliage it frequents, it is somewhat difficult of detection. When engaged in searching for food, it frequently expands its wings and tail, creeps and climbs among the branches in a variety of beautiful attitudes, and often suspends itself to the extreme ends of the outermost twigs. It occasionally perches on the branches of trees, but is mostly to be met with in dense thickets. It flies in an undulating manner, like a Woodpecker, but this power is rarely exercised. Its note is a full, loud, powerful, and melodious call. The stomach is muscular, but of very small size, and the food consists of bees, wasps, and other hymenoptera, also of coleoptera of various kinds, and the pollen of flowers. It is a very early breeder, as is proved by my finding a nest containing two young birds covered with down, and about two days old, on the 27th of September. The nest, which is generally placed in a low bush, differs considerably from those of all other Honey-eaters with which I am acquainted, particularly in the character of the material forming the lining. It is the largest and warmest of all, and is usually formed of ribbons of stringy bark, mixed with grass, and the cocoons of spiders; towards the cavity it is more neatly built, and is lined internally with opossum's or kangaroo's fur. In some instances the hair-like material from the base of the large leaf-stalks of the tree-fern is employed for the lining, and in others there is merely a flooring of wiry grasses or fine twigs. The eggs, which are either two or three in number, are of the most delicate fleshy buff, rather strongly but sparsely spotted with small prominent roundish dots of chestnut-red, intermingled with which are a few indistinct spots of purplish grey. The average length of the egg is eleven lines, and the breadth eight lines."

* * * * *

The BRUSH WATTLE BIRDS (_Melichæra_) are recognisable by their powerful body, strong and slightly curved beak, comparatively short foot, short rounded wing, and long, wedge-shaped, tapering tail.

THE TRUE BRUSH WATTLE BIRD.

The TRUE BRUSH WATTLE BIRD (_Melichæra mellivora_) is deep brownish grey on the back, each feather having a white stripe in the centre. The feathers on the throat and breast are brown, tipped with white; the rest of the under side appears lighter than the back, owing to the greater size of the white shaft-stripe. The upper quills are chestnut-brown on the inner web, and the rest brown tipped with white, as are the tail-feathers. The eye is grey, the beak black, and the foot brown. This species is about eleven inches long; the wing measures four inches and a quarter, and the tail five inches and one-sixth.

These birds inhabit all such parts of Tasmania, New South Wales, and South Australia as offer them the shelter of their favourite Banksias. Everywhere they are numerous, and display the utmost confidence and fearlessness towards man. In disposition they are lively, active, and so pugnacious as to live in a state of constant warfare with all their feathered companions. "The Brush Wattle Bird," says Gould, "is a bold and spirited species, evincing a considerable degree of pugnacity, fearlessly attacking and driving away all other birds from the part of the tree on which it is feeding, and there are few of the Honey-eaters whose actions are more sprightly and animated. During the months of spring the male perches on some elevated branch, and screams forth its harsh and peculiar notes, which have not unaptly been said to resemble a person in the act of vomiting; whence the Australian name of 'Goo-gwar-ruck,' in which the natives have endeavoured to imitate these very singular sounds. While thus employed, it frequently jerks up its tail, throws up its head, and distends its throat, as if great exertion were required to force out these harsh and guttural sounds. The Banksias are in blossom during the greater portion of the year, and the early flower, as it expands, is diligently examined by the Wattle Bird, which inserts its long feathery tongue into the interstices of every part, extracting the pollen and insects, in searching for which it clings to and hangs about the blossoms in every variety of position. The breeding season commences in September, and lasts for three months. The very small nest is round in shape, open at the top, and formed of delicate twigs and fibres. This pretty little structure is usually placed in the fork of a branch, at the height of a few feet from the ground. The two or three eggs are bright red, spotted slightly with dark brown; these markings are most numerous at the broad end."

THE POE, OR TUI.

The POE, or TUI (_Prosthemadera circinata_), is readily distinguished by the two remarkable tufts of feathers that decorate each side of the throat; in other respects its formation closely resembles that of its congeners. The coloration of the plumage is principally of a deep metallic green, which appears black in some lights, and in others shines like bronze. The back is umber-brown, but glistens with the same varying shades. A white line passes over the shoulders, and the long feathers on the nape are enlivened by white streaks upon the shafts. The strange tufts on the sides of the throat to which we have alluded are pure white, and form a dazzling contrast to the dark plumage by which they are surrounded. The belly is deep umber-brown; the quills and tail-feathers black, very glossy and resplendent above, and quite lustreless on the lower side. This species is twelve inches long. The wing measures five inches and a half, and the tail four inches and a half. Layard tells us that of all the feathered inhabitants of the New Zealand forests the Poe is most certain to attract the notice of the traveller, as it flutters noisily from branch to branch, or sails in airy circles over the tree tops. It is not uncommon to see eight or ten of these birds at a time turning somersaults as they circle after each other, or rise and sink with outspread wings and tail, until at last they return to seek repose after their gambols under the sheltering branches of the trees. The Poe has been frequently described as the most wonderful of songsters, and some writers have gone so far as to declare that its performance far exceeds that of the Nightingale, both in beauty of tone and clearness of execution. Such accounts as these are, in our opinion, much exaggerated, though we admit that it certainly ranks with the finest songsters inhabiting Australia. The food of the Poe, we are told, consists of insects, in search of which it exhibits a very restless activity. It also devours berries and earthworms. This species possesses a most wonderful talent for imitating the notes of all the feathered inhabitants of the woods; hence it is sometimes called the Mocking Bird. In confinement it also learns to mimic other sounds, such as the noises of dogs, cats, or poultry, and readily pronounces long sentences with great correctness.

* * * * *

The FRIAR BIRDS (_Tropidorhyncus_) are recognisable from all their congeners by a knob at the base of the upper mandible, a bare place on the head and throat, and the long feathers that adorn the nape or breast. The tongue is provided at its extremity with a double brush-like appendage.

THE "LEATHERHEAD."

The "LEATHERHEAD" (_Tropidorhyncus corniculatus_) is greyish brown on the back and brownish grey upon the under side, a long lancet-shaped feather on the breast, and the chin-feathers, are of a pure glossy white, delicately spotted with brown; the tail is tipped with white. The eye is red, but turns brown after death; the beak, and some bare places on the head, are of silky blackness, and the feet lead-grey. The female is smaller than her mate, and the young are distinguishable from the adult birds by the inferior size of the knob on the beak and of the breast-feathers; the bare places on the head are also smaller. This species is about twelve inches long, the wing measures five inches and three-quarters, and the tail four inches and two-thirds.

Gould tells us that in New South Wales these birds are very common during the summer, and are especially numerous in the thick brushwood near the coast. Their undulatory flight is strong, and their movements amongst the branches nimble and adroit; it is by no means uncommon to see them hanging head downwards from a branch to which they attach themselves solely by one of their powerful claws; such formidable use, indeed, do they make of these sharp weapons, that he who unwarily seizes a wounded bird is sure to receive a series of deep and really painful wounds in repayment of his temerity.

The strange cry of this species has been supposed to resemble the words, "Poor soldier," "Pimlico," and "Four o'clock," while the bare places on its head have procured for it the names of "Monk," "Friar," and "Leatherhead." Figs, berries, insects, and the pollen from the gum-tree blossoms constitute its favourite and principal means of existence. At the approach of the breeding season, which commences about November, the males become more than usually active and bold, chasing and doing battle with even the most formidable of their feathered brethren should they intrude upon the privacy of the brooding female. The comparatively large and cup-shaped nest is roughly formed of bark, twigs, and wool; the interior lined with more delicate materials. This structure is generally suspended from an upright branch of a gum or apple tree (_Angophora_), and is often found at but a few feet from the ground. In the well-wooded plains of Aberdeen and Yarrund, on the upper part of the Hunter, this species breeds in such numbers that the nests may almost be described as forming settlements. The eggs, usually three in number, are pale red, delicately spotted with a deeper shade.

* * * * *