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^  ^ 


GUIDE 


TO     THE 


C3-JL3LLEI2;-X- 


OF 


BIRDS 


IN     THE 


DEPARTMENT    OF    ZOOLOaY 


OF     THE 


BRITISH    MUSEUM   (NATURAL  HISTORY). 


WITH     24     PLATES     AND     7     ILLUSTRATIONS. 


LONDON: 
PRINTED  BY  ORDER  OF  THE  TRUSTEES. 

1905. 

Y  (^sC  (All  rights  reserved.)  V(^    / 

U  C  ^--^  Price  Two  Shillings  and  Sixpence.  ""'^ 


) 


OFl  SCit'- 


FȣiESEl!a 


^bo    ^riX£ifcC5 


THE    imiTlSH   MUSEUM. 


N.  Y.  Academy 
OF  Sciences 


G  U  I  D  E 


TO     TH?: 


C3--A.LLEI^'Z" 


OF 


BIRDS 


IN     THE 


DEPARTMENT    OF    ZOOLOGY 


OF     THE 


BRITISH    MUSEUM   (NATURAL   HISTORY). 


WITH    24    PLATES    AND     7    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


LONDON : 
PRINTED  BY  OEDER  OE  THE  TRUSTEES. 

T9or.. 


ALEKK         FLAMMA:\I. 


^^Ng^iB^JiX" 


[•  1!  I  N  T  E  n    BY    TAYLOR    AND    l'  U  A  N  C  1 1 
EEll  LION  COURT,  FLEl-.T  STBI'.ET. 


0^.   563  WH  ^- 


P  R  K  FA  C  K. 


TuLS  Guide  to  tlic  Bird  Cialkiy  Las  liceii  pit']  aied  liy 
Mr.  W.  K.  Ogilvie-Giaut,  Assistant  in  the  Zoological 
Department.  He  lias  also  carried  out  the  arrangement  of 
the  Bird  Gallery  in  its  present  form.  The  visitor  should 
notice  that  at  the  side  of  each  recess  in  the  ijallery  the 
conunon  names  of  the  kinds  ot  birds  there  exhibited  are 
displayed  in  large  capitals,  whilst  a  label  is  placed  on  the 
e-lass  front  of  each  case  showinti-  the  coninion  name  uf 
any  specially  interesting  or  well-known  bird  which  is 
near  the  label.  iMUther.  e\eiy  qiccimen  has  now  attached 
to  its  stand,  not  only  its  name  but  a  number  which 
is  a  reference-number  for  the  guide.  The  long  explanatory 
labels  affixed  to  the  special  cases  of  nestiug-birds  are 
reproduced  in  the  ])Tcsent  guide.  The  cases  of  this  series 
and  the  explanatory  labels  are  numbeied,  so  that  for  every 
specimen  which  the  visitor  sees  in  the  galleiy  there  is  an 
appropriate  paragraph  in  the  guide,  which  may  be  found  by 
merely  looking  up  the  nunrber. 

Photographic  plates  of  some  of  the  nesting-groups  and  of 
a  few  specially  interestiug  birds  have   been  mepared  for   this 


IV  ri;i;i'A(i;. 

book  1)}  Mv.  \{.  1).  ].odi;('.  The  plates  liave  been  ))i(>(ku'ed 
tVoni  pliotdL^raplis  ot'  tbc  actual  speciiiieiis  in  the  gallery :  it 
iiuist  be  Ijoriic  in  iiiiiul  that  tliere  aie  s])ecial  difficulties  in 
pbotoyrapliing  specimens  which  cannot  be  brougbt  into  chosen 
conditions  of  light.  Many  of  the  illustrations  will  be  found 
to  furnish  a  \aluable  record  of  tlu'  successful  efforts  to  exhibit 
birds  in  their  natural  surroundings,  for  which  the  Bird  Gallery 
of  this  Museum  has  long  been  famous. 

Tiie  (niide-book  is  completed  by  an  appendix  <tn  the 
structure  of  Birds,  with  illustrations  of  the  feathers  and 
skeleton. 


E.  RAY  LANKESTER. 


Bkitish  MrsKi'M  (Natural  Hisjukv), 
Ci'onnvt'U  lioail. 

Loudon,  IS.W. 

J;imiaiv  14tli,  IflOf). 


CONTENTS. 


-  •♦♦ 


Pa(;e 

Desckii'tiox   of  the   Spkcimens   in  the  Bird  Gallery    .     .  ] 

Description  oi-  the  Nesting-Series  or  British   Birds    .      .  l;57 

Explanation  of  Plates        197 

Appeniiix  on  the   Strvctike  of   Birds '101 

Index 'J15 


DESCRIPTION     OF     THE     SPECIMENS 


IN    THE 


BIRD    GALLERY. 


In  this  Gallery,  wliicli  is  devoted  to  the  exhibition  of  mounted  specimens 
of  the  general  series  of  birds,  the  eonteuts  are  arranged  continuously  in 
the  pier-cases,  the  order  commencing  on  the  right  hand  as  the  visitor 
enters,  and  finishing  on  the  left. 

Most  of  the  cases  occupying  the  centre  and  recesses  of  this  Gallery 
belong  to  a  special  series  illustrating  the  nesting-habits  of  British  birds 
■\vluch  arc  described  in  a  special  clia[)tcr,  [).  1.37. 

The  specimens  in  the  wall-cases  and  detached  cases  not  belonging  to 
the  nesting-series  have  each  a  number  attached  «]uch  is  referred  to  in 
this  guide  by  thick  black  figures  enclosed  in  brackets. 

All  the  species  of  Ijirds  recorded  on  the  British  list  will  be  found 
incorporated  with  the  general  series  in  their  proper  places,  and  marked 
with  one  of  the  following  numbers  on  differently  coloured  discs,  which 
indicate : — 

(1)  Resident.      Breeds. 

(2)  Regular  summer  visitor.     Breeds. 

(3)  Regular  spring  and  autumn  visitor.     Does  not  breed. 

(4)  Occasional  visitor.     Has  been  known  to  breed. 

(5)  Occasional  visitor.     Never  known  to  breed. 


In  addition  to  the  above  a  complete  series  of  British   Ijirds   wil 

found  exhibited  in    the  pier-cases  in  the  Pavilion  at  the  end   of 

Gallery. 

» 


be 
tlie 


BIRD    GALLERY. 

The  arrangement  ailnpted  in  tli(^  (lallerv  is  as  follows  : — 

AVES. 

Subclaw  I.  SATTRUR/E.      (Lizard-tailed  Birds.) 

( hdii-  Archaeopteryges. 

Family.                             ExiiLisii  Name.  C\^k. 

Arcliiyopteivtiiil:!' Avchn?opten-.\,or(iriffoii-  lii^lit-liaml  sidu  of 

liinl  entrance  to  Gallery. 

Subclass  II.  NEORNITHES.     (Modern  Birds.) 
Seel  ion  A.   RATIT^;. 

Order  I.  Struthioniformes. 

.Strutbionidie  Ostriches.  1    and  centre 

case  in  bay. 
Order  11.  Rheiformes. 
Rheidaj  Rheas.  1  &  2. 

Order  III.  Dinornithiformes. 
Dinornithid:e  Moas.  3. 

( )rder  I  \'.  .ffipyornithiformes . 

^pyornithid:u         Mada^iasear  ^loas.  3. 

Order  V.  Casuariiformes. 

I.  l)rom;eid:e  lOinus.  4. 

II.  CasLiariiilie  C'a.ssowaries.  .0  i.>c  6  and 

central  case. 
Onlii'  XL  Apterygiformes. 
Aptervfjldie  Kiwi>.  -5. 

Order  VIT.  Tinamiformes. 
Tiuaniidie  Tinamous.  Central  table-case. 

Section  11  CARINATiE. 

Order  I.  Galliformes. 

■Suborder  1 .  I'EnisTEROPODES. 

I.  Megapodiidw  Megapodes,    or    IMound-  7. 

builders 
II.  CracidK  ('urassows  and  Ouans.  7  &  8. 

Suborder  2.  Alectoropodes. 

I AniericanPartrido-es.Guinea- )        „  ,„      , 

I-  Pl'a'iHHidEe  b owls. Tnrlceys.  Pheasants,       ^^_^^^,^j  ^^^^_ 

I      rartndges,  Quails.  ' 

II.  Tetraouidae  Grouse.  17-  L"^. 


lilKl)  liALLEKY.  3 

<  >rder  II.  Pterocletif ormes . 

F\>MLV.                                 K.vci.iMi  Xame.  Casf. 

Ptei'ijclida;               Saiul-(!riiiise.  Table-case. 

Order  III.  Turniciformes. 

Tuniicidaj  IIeiuipiides,erBustard-yiiail-^.     Table-ca.sf. 

Order  I\  .  Columbif ormes. 

I.  ])idid:i'  Dodii,  Solitaire.  Table-cases,  and 

picture  in  cases  l'.)-:^!.'. 

II.  Lliduiioidid;e            Tootli-billed  Ti-euu.  li*. 

III.  Columbidie             Pigeous.  10  \-  I'O. 

Order  \'.  Ralliformes. 

I.  l:allid;e                    Kails.  -JS. 

II.  Ileliuriiitlndie         Fiutbcits.  22. 

Order  ^  I.  Podicipediformes . 

I'odicipedidie          (irebes.  21. 

<  )rder  ^  II.  Colymbiformes. 

Colviiiliida;              I'iver.s.     _  _       2}. 

Older  \'1II.  Sphenisciformes. 

Spheiiiscidie            reiiL'uiiis.  Central  ca~e. 

(Jrder  IX.  Procellariiformes. 

I.  DioiuedeidDe            Vlbatvo.ses.  23. 

II.  Proeellariidiii           Petrels.  2;!  .V  24. 

Order  X.  Alciformes. 

AlcidiB                    Vulis.  24. 

Order  XI.  Lariformes. 

1.  Stercurariid;e           Skuas.  2.>. 

II.  Larid;e                     Gulls  and  Terir<.  2.j  ^:  26. 

I  irder  XII.  Charadriiformes. 

I.  Drwuadid*              Crab-Plu\ers.  S7. 

II.  Cliiuuididaj              Sheathbills  27. 

III.  Attagidoj                Seed-Snipes.  27. 

IV.  C'haradriidai            Plovers.  27-28. 

V.  CiU'soriidiB               Coursers.  20. 

\'I.  Glareolidw              Pratincoles.  29. 

•VII.  Parridae                    Jacanas.  29.   ■  ' 

VIII.  ffidicneniidie           Stone-Plovers.  20. 

IX.  Otidid;e                   Bustards.  20  &  30  and 

central  case. 
Order  XIII.  Opisthocomiformes. 

Opisthocomida'       lloatzius.  Table-case. 


I. 

II 

it:, 

IV. 
V. 

VI. 


I. 

II, 
III 

IV. 
V. 

VI. 


II 

III 

IV. 
V. 


1, 

II. 

III. 


I, 
II. 


II, 


lilKD    (i.\I.I.i;itY. 

Order  Xn'.  Gruiformes. 

Kamii.v.                                 En(.li^ii  Name.  C'\sr. 

Aramidie                     Linipkiu.s.  ;J1. 

,  lUiiuoclietiiUi!            Kagu.^.  ;!!. 

.  l''urvpy;;ul:o                 Siiu-l)ittenw.  .'il. 

Cariamidio                   Cariamas.  :',]. 

P.-iOiiUiida'                   Tnimpettns  31. 

(Iriada^                         Cranes.  ;jl-.'ii 

Order  XV.  Ardeiformes. 

Ardeid;e                          Ileiuii->  and  Hitterus.  oo  -U. 

Bal;enicii)itid;v           81ice-ljilled  Stiirk,s.  3-). 

Scopida:'                       Ilamiuer-head  Storks.  35. 

Cicouiida-                    Storks.  ."."i-Ol!. 

Ibidida'                          Ibises.  l','>. 

I'lataleida'                   SpocmbilU.  ."'.li. 

Order  X\l.  Anseriforme.s . 

^     ,■  1  ,                                        I  Meigaiisers.  Ducks,  (ieese.  |  ii7-  42  and 

'      .Swans.                               I  centre  case. 

Chdei  \\ll.  Phoenicopteriformes. 

Pluenieuptei'ule          Flamiii<;oeS.  li'. 

Order  XVIII.  Palamedeiformes. 

I'alamedeidre                Screamers.  4- 

OrderXIX.  Pelecaniforine.s. 

I'balacroci'rae'Kbe       I>artris,  ( '(inuiaaat>.  4o. 

Siilidie                           Ganiiet-.  t-'l. 

i'elecanida>                   Pelican-.  44. 

Fregatida'                    Frigate-binl~.  44. 

Pbaethontid^e             Tn.pic-binl-.  44. 

Older  XX.  Cathartidiformes. 

( 'atbartidie     •  Turkey-A'iiltiui--.  4-j  and  table-case. 

Order  XXI.  Serpentariiformes. 

Serpentariida-              Secretarv-bird-.  4"i. 

Cirder  XXII.  Accipitriformes . 

\'ulturid,e  Vultures.  4."i  \-  4U  aud  table-case. 

Falconidte                   Eagles,  IIawk>.  4G-.5;j. 

Pandionlda'                 Ospreys.  5;!. 

Order  XXIII.  Strigiformes. 

jlnbonid.e  Horned  and  "Wdod-Owls.       -54  and  table-case. 

Strigida;                       Barn-Owls.  54. 

Order  XXI\'.  Psittaciformes. 

Psittacidie                   'I'rne  Parrots.  ."jti-Or. 

Loriida-                        Lories   or   Urusb-tongued  .'Jli 

Parrots. 


lilUI)  (.ALLKKY. 


Orikr  XX \'.  Coraciiformes. 
Family.  Em,li.<ti  Name. 

I.  8te;itornit!)kla3  Oil-birds. 

II.  Podai-gida!  Fnin-moutbs. 

in.  llalcyouidie  Kingfishers. 

IV.  I.eptosomatidte  Kirombos. 

V.  ( Miraciidas  r.ollei-s. 

\1.  .Mer.iiiida;  nee-eati.'i'S. 

VII.  Momotidaj  .Mutmots. 

VIII.  Todidre  Todies. 

IX.  Uimiiida;  Hoopoes. 

X.  liucerotidaj  Ilonibills. 

XI.  ('apnmulgida2  Xi^fhtjar.s  or  (ioal.sucliei-^ 

XII.  Oypselidni  Swifts. 

XIII.  Ti'ocbilidai  Ilunimiug-birds. 

XIV.  Ciliidre  Colies. 

<»i(l'  1  .\X\  I.  Trogoniformes. 

I'rogi)!iid.i>  rrogoiis. 

Order  XXVII.  Cuculiformes. 

I.  ('uL-ulida2  C.'iifkoos. 

II.  Miisopliagida3  Tonracos. 

Ordir  .\X\  III.  Piciformes. 

1.  Kliampba^tida;  Tuiicau.-;. 

II.  Capitoiiidie  I5arbets. 

III.  Indicatoridai  I loney-guides. 

1\.  Picidfe  AVoodpcckers. 

y.  lUicconidaj  Pull-birds. 

VI.  (lalbulid.i;  Jacamai's. 

Order  XXIX.  Eurylaemiformes. 

RiiryUvinidas  liioadliill-. 

Order  XXX.  Mennriformes. 
Mciiiuid;ij  I,yre-birJ~. 

Ordir  XXXI.  Passeriformes . 

a-etion  A.  -MESOMYODI. 

(iruup  I.  TiiACiiKoruox.'i:, 

1.  Pteroptocliidie  Tapacolas. 

II.  Conopopbagida;  Conopopbagas. 

III.  FormicariidcB  Aut-birds, 

IV.  Deudrocolaptidie        Wood-bewer.s, 

Croup  II.  Oligomvod.i:. 

I .  t  'otiiigid;e  American  Chatterers. 

II.  Pipridre  Maiiakins. 

III.  Osyrhampbida;  Sbarp-blUs. 

IX.  Tyra:niid;i3  I'yraut-birds. 


C\sr. 
57. 
•)?. 
")7. 
58. 
.58. 
r,s. 
r)8. 
58. 

5!t  .>t  (!0. 

<;i. 

01. 
02. 

(;;3. 


C3. 


G4. 


05. 
05. 

(15. 
(iO. 
(i7. 
07. 


67. 


07. 


(;8. 

O.S. 
08. 
08. 

0!). 
Oi». 
70. 


F.sMii.v.  Esiii-isii  JiAMi;. 

N'.  l'li_vtiituiiiii,l;e  Pliuit-ciittui-.s. 

VI.  Pittidif  Pittas  nr  Ant-tlirii-li.;-. 

VII.  Philepittidie  Wattleil  .\m-tlirusli.s. 

\II1.  Xeuici.l.'o  N>w  Zralimd  l!ii-h-\\'ivii-. 

Section  li.  ACltUMYoDl. 

I.  Atrichoruitliidto     Scnib-bii-d.^. 

II.  llirimdiuidte  Swallows. 

in.  iMiisciciipidaj  Flycatehfis. 

IV.  Caiiipopliatiidfe       Ci-ickou-Slirike.-^. 

V.  PyciioiiotidiB  lUilbuIs. 

XI.  Timeliida?  Babblers. 

VII.  Troylodytidfe  Wrens. 

VIII.  Cinclida?  Dippers. 

IX.  Mimid;e  Mocliing-bivds. 

X.  Turdkbe  Thriislies. 

XI.  Syh  iida-  Warbler^. 

XII.  Vireoiiid:e  Greeiilet.^. 

XIII.  Ampelid:e  Chatterers. 

Xn".  Artamid;e  ,S\vallow-Shriki>. 

XV.  Vangida'  Mada;iascar  Shrikes. 

XVI.  Primiopidie  AVood-8hrikes. 

XVII.  Lauiidw  Shrikes  or  IJutcher-birds. 

XVIII.  Parida-  Tits. 

XIX.  I'anuridK  Bearded  Tits. 

XX.  Chamreidie  Wren-Tils. 

X.\I.  Kogulido?  Goklen-erosteil  Wrens. 

XXII.  Sittidn?  Nuthatches. 

XXIII.  Certhiida;  Tree-Creepers. 

XXI \.  Zosteropida-  Wliite-eyes. 

XXV.  Diea^idae  Flower-peckers. 

XX\T.  NectariniidiP  Suu-birds. 

.KX'NTI.  Urepanidid;e  Hawaiian  Honey-suckers. 

XXVIII.  Melipl'.agid;e  Honey-suckers. 

XXIX.  Mniotiltida?  American  Warljlers. 

XXX.  Motacillido:-  Wagtails  and  Pipits. 

XXXI.  Alaudida-  Larks. 

XXXII.  Fringillidw  Finches  and  Buntings. 

XXXIII.  Cccrebida'  American  Creejiers. 

XXXIV.  Tanagridie  Tanagers. 

XXXV.  Ploceid;e  Weayer-Finehe>. 

X.XXVI.  Icteridie  Ilang-nests. 

XXXNIl.  (h-iolida?  Orioles. 

XXX\  HI.  Dicrurida^  Drongos..  .  . 

XXXIX.  l'airycerotid;c  M.adagascar  Starliug.s. 

XI..  Eulabetida-  Tree-Starlings. 

XLI.  Stnrnida'  Starlings. 

XLII.   Ptilonorhyuchidte Bower-birds. 

.XLIII.   Paradiseidie  Paradi-se-bird-. 

XLIV.   (Virvida'  Crows. 


Casi:. 
70. 
711. 
70. 
70. 


71. 
71. 
71. 
71. 


i  o. 

7.J. 
73. 
74. 


70. 
70. 
70. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 


78. 

78. 

78. 

79  &  80. 

80. 

80. 

81. 

81  &  8i'. 

82. 

82. 

82. 

83. 

83. 

Centre  table-Case 

Centre  case. 

85  &  84. 


STRlTIIIor.S    lilKDS.  / 

r<  «  TTT.TTT.  7n  [  1 ! ! gli t -haiicl  siUf  of  eiitianoo 

Subclass  I.    SAURUR^.  to  Gallery.     K^storation  and 

framed  cast  of  fus-il  remains. 

Fos.sil  reiuaius,  hitherto  only  found  iu  tlie  lithographic  slate  of 
Soleiihofeu,  in  Bavaria,  indicate  that  birds  existed  in  the  Upper  Jurassic 
geological  age,  ditleriug  in  certain  points  from  those  now  existing.  The 
jaws  were  armed  with  teeth,  and  the  tliree  digits  of  the  fore  limb  were 
furnished  with  claws.  The  tail  consisted  of  a  series  of  elono-ated 
vertebrae,  gradually  tajjcring  to  the  extremity,  each  vertel)ra  bearing  a 
pair  of  well-developed  feathers.  As  the  skeleton  of  the  tail  rather 
resembled  that  of  a  Reptile  than  that  of  a  modern  Bird  the  name 
Savrurce,  signifying  '  Lizard-tailed,'  has  been  applied  to  the  group. 

The  best  known  rejireseutative  of  this  snbelas.s  is  the  Arc/iceopteri/d- 
lifhoyraph'ica  ( 1 ).  A  east  of  the  fossil  remains  of  this  remarkable  form 
is  exhibited  at  the  entrance  to  the  Bird  Gallery.  For  full  particulars 
the  reader  is  referred  to  the  eighth  edition  of  the  Geological  Guide, 
pp.  <.)3-95  (1904). 

Subclass  II.  NEORNITHES. 

This  subclass  includes  all  the  remaining  forms,  both  recent  and 
fossil,  included  in  the  class  Aves,  and  may  be  divided  into  two  sections  : 
A.  Rat'tUc,  and  B.  Curinattc.  The  first  contains  the  Struthious  Birds 
and  the  Tinamous,  and  the  second  ail  the  existing  Birds  not  included 
iu  the  previous  divisirn. 

Section  A.  R  A  T  J  T  M. 
Struthious  Bikds  .and  Tinamous. 

In  this  subclass  are  included  all  the  great  flightless  species  of  the 
Ostrich-tribe  eomiuonly  known  as  the  Struthious  J5irds  and  the  Tina- 
mous. The  name  Ratitte  is  derived  from  the  raft-like  breast-bone  of 
the  former,  which  is  devoid  of  a  keel  for  the  attachment  of  the  pectoral 
muscles.  As  these  muscles  gradually  ceased  to  be  used  they  became 
degenerate,  the  keel  for  their  attachment  disappeared,  and,  as  a  result, 
the  birds  lost  the  power  of  flight.  Though  at  the  present  period 
represented  by  comparatively  few  members,  which  are  confined  to 
Africa,  the  Papuan  group  of  islands,  Australia,  New  Zealand,  and 
South  America,  the  "  Ratites  "  were  formerly  much  more  numerous  in 
species,  and  ranged  over  ))arts  of  the  earth  (such  as  England)  where 
they  have  long  ago  ceased  to  exist.  A  number  of  fossil  forms  are 
known. 

The  Ratitte  may  be  distinguished  from  all  other  birds  by  the  bones 
of  the  palate,  the  pterygoid  never  forming  a  jointed  articulation  with 


8  BIRD  GALLERY. 

tlic  palatine,  but  forming  a  close  union  citliev  hy  fusion  or  l)y  over- 
lapping  suture  uitli  the  base  of  tlic  vomer. 

'Die  majority  of  the  members  of  this  groiip  liavc  become  flightless, 
a  fact  which  has  brought  about  many  modifications  of  the  skeleton 
and  feathers.  The  Tinamous  alone  have  retained  tlie  power  oi: 
flight. 

The  Ratitaj  are  divisible  into  seven  Orders,  probably  derived  from 
three  distinct  stocks.  Each  Order  can  be  readily  defined,  and  presents 
one  or  more  points  which  indicate  extreme  specialization. 

On  account  of  tlie  structure  of  the  palate,  the  form  of  the  bones  ol 
the  pelvis,  and  other  anatomical  characters,  the  members  of  this  section 
may  be  regarded  as  tlie  most  primitive  of  living  birds. 

The  seven  Orders  of  the  Ratit;e  arc  the  following  : — 


1.  Struthiones One  genus,  Stnit/ilo. 

2.  Rhese One  genus,  li/iea. 

3.  Dinornithes ")  ^,  .,,    .        . 

,      ^^  .,,  (•  r^umcrous  genera.     TAtinct  forms. 

I.  yiiipyornithes  .  .  .  .}  " 

ij.  Casuarii Two  genera,  Cufiniiniin  and  DronucuK. 

<).  Apteryges One    living    genus,    Ajjicri/x,    and    two 

extinct  genera. 

7.   Crypturi Numerous  genera. 

The  characters  l)y  which  the  Orders  are  distinguished  are  fully 
explained  in  tlie  table-ease  in  the  first  bay. 

[Case  1  and 
Centre    Case  Order  I.  STRUTHIONIFORMES.     OsTRun-TRiBE. 

in  Ray.] 

Though  closely  allied  to  the  Rhcas,  which  they  resemble  in  general 
appearance,  the  members  of  this  order  may  be  at  once  distinguished 
from  all  others  by  possessing  only  two  toes.  Of  these  the  one  corre- 
sponding to  the  middle  of  the  three  anterior  toes  in  ordinary  birds  (the 
third  of  the  complete  set)  is  much  the  largest  and  supports  the  greater 
part  of  the  weight.  It  bears  a  stout  pointed  nail.  The  smaller  outer 
(or  fourth)  toe  often  wants  the  nail.  The  whole  of  the  head  and  neck 
as  well  as  the  legs  are  bare,  or  only  covered  with  short  down.  Tlie  body- 
feathers  are  single,  having  no  aftershaft,  and  the  featliers  of  the  wings 
and  tail  (corresponding  to  the  '  remiges  '  and  'rectrices'  of  ordinary 
birds)  arc  of  considerable  size,  but  soft  and  plumose. 

Family  Struthioxiu.i:.     OsTuicnEs. 

The  Ostriches,  the  largest  of  living  birds,  are  represented  by  the 
single  genus  Slfid/iio,  which  contains  at  least  four  living  species  in- 


IINIRKIIICS.  9 

liabitiii;;-  Africa  and  Arabia.  Tu  Ibnucr  times  their  range  was  uiul-Ii 
more  extensive,  and  fossil  foi'nis  have  l)een  found  in  the  Pliocene  of  the 
Siwalik  Hills  of  India  and  in  the  Upper  j\Iioccne  of  Sanios.  The 
Common  or  Northern  Ostricli  (,S'.  ciiiiu'lun)  (3)  is  found  in  Nortliern 
and  Western  Africa,  and  ranges  eastwards  to  Abyssinia,  Arabia,  and 
South  Palestine  ;  a  somewhat  different  form,  S.  massaici^s,  inJialjits 
East  Africa;  in  Somali-land  and  Central  Africa  S.  iiiolijbduiilnnu-s 
occurs;  and  in  South  Africa  its  place  is  taken  b\' •'>'.  ««<//•«//.>.■  (2  ),  which 
is  exhibited  in  all  stages  of  plumage,  from  the  nestling  to  the  adult,  in 
the  central  Case. 

The  males  are  larger  than  the  females,  standing  about  eight  feet 
high,  and  in  all  the  species  arc  black  with  white  wings  and  tail.  They 
maj',  however,  be  readily  distinguished  inter  se,  for  ,s'.  canwliis  and 
/S.  massair/is  have  the  skin  of  the  head  and  neck  of  a  l)i'ight  tlesh- 
eolour,  while  in  the  other  two  species  it  is  grey;  N.  ra/ncli's  and 
,S.  moli/bdujj/ianes  liavc  a  horny  shield  on  the  crown,  which  is  wanting 
in  S.  massaiciis  and  S.  uuslralis.  The  plumage  of  the  females  and 
young  males  is  brownish-grey.  The  general  tint  (jf  the  eggs  laid  by 
all  four  species  is  pale  cream-colour,  but  the  texture  of  the  shell  differs 
greatly. 

Ostriches  inhabit  the  sandy  wastes  and  deserts,  as  well  as  districts 
studded  with  low  bushes,  and  are  often  found  associating  M'ith  herds  of 
zebras  and  antelopes.  Though  as  many  as  fifty  individuals  may  some- 
times be  seen  in  company,  they  arc  more  often  met  with  in  parties  of 
five  or  six,  especially  during  the  breeding-season,  'vhen  the  polygamous 
male  is  aecomuanied  bv  several  hens.  The  hens  belono'ing  to  one  male 
lay  their  eggs  in  the  same  nest,  which  is  a  shallow  excavation  dug  in 
the  sand.  As  many  as  thirty  eggs  are  sometimes  deposited  in  the  pit, 
and  many  more  are  dropped  around  which  are  said  to  serve  as  food 
for  the  uewly-liatched  young.  The  contents  of  an  egg  are  equal  to 
about  two  dozen  hen's  eggs.  The  male  undertakes  nearly  the  whole 
duty  of  incubation,  which  lasts  for  six  or  seven  weeks,  being  occasion- 
ally relieved  by  the  hens  during  the  daytime.  He  especially  looks 
after  the  nest  at  night,  and  broods  over  the  eggs,  though  in  many 
tropical  countries  the  latter  are  covered  over  with  sand  and  left  to  the 
heat  of  the  sun  during  the  daytime. 

The  Ostrich  was  formerly  much  hunted  for  the  sake  of  its  curled 
plumes,  but  since  the  establishment  of  Ostrich-farms  the  chase,  except 
for  sport,  has  been  almost  abandoned.  On  the  large  South  Afi-ican 
farms,  where  numbers  of  birds  are  annually  reared,  the  jilumei  are 
plucked  every  six  or  nine  months. 


10 


niiii)  (:At,r.i:in. 


1& 


•J 


Onlei  JI.  KHEIFORMES.  Rhea-tribe. 
[CW^  111  South  Anieiica  the  place  of  the  Ostriches  of  the  Old  Worlil  is 
t;ikcii  by  an  allied  gi-oiip  of  birds  called  llheas,  or  "American  Ostriches," 
winch  arc  distinguished  l)y  certain  structural  characters,  and  cxternallv 
by  the  presence  of  three  toes  furnished  with  compressed  claws,  by  the 
fully-feathered  head  and  neck,  and  by  the  absence  of  a  eouspicuously 
feathered  tail.  The  wings  also  are  proportionately  larger,  and  are 
covered  with  long  slender  plumes.  As  in  the  Sfrnf/tionidtc,  tlu; 
body-feathers  are  single,  without  an  aftershaft,  a  character  which 
separates  these  birds  from  the  Emus  and  Cassowaries. 

Family  Rheid.e.     Rheas. 

The  Rheas  include  three  South  American  species,  viz. : — The  Com- 
mon Rhea  {R/ien  atnericana)  {^) ,  found  from  Southern  Brazil  and 
Bolivia  southwards;  the  Great-billed  Rhea  [R.  macrurlujncha)  (5), 
inhabiting  North-east  Brazil;  and  Darwin's  Rhea  (R.  darwiid)  (6), 
from  the  southern  part  of  the  continent.  All  bear  considerable 
resemblance  to  their  African  allies,  and  are  often  called  "  South 
American  Ostriches,"  but  they  are  smaller  and  easily  distinguished 
by  the  characters  already  mentioned. 

They  inbaljit  the  great  Pampas  and  scrub-covered  plains  in  larger  or 
smaller  flocks,  often  associating  with  deer  and  guanacos.  In  tlie  month 
of  July  the  pairing-season  begins,  and  the  males  then  utter  a  deep 
resonant  booming  noise  and  give  vent  to  various  weird  sounds.  The 
young  males  are  driven  from  the  Hock,  and  the  cock  birds  fight  viciously 
with  one  another  for  the  possession  of  the  females.  The  battles  are 
conducted  in  a  curious  manner,  the  combatants  twisting  their  long 
necks  together  and  biting  at  each  other's  heads  with  their  beaks,  while 
they  turn  round  and  roimd  in  a  circle,  pounding  the  ground  with  their 
feet.  The  females  of  the  flock  all  lay  together  in  a  natural  depression 
of  the  ground,  each  hen  laying  a  dozen  or  more  eggs.  If  the  females 
are  many,  the  male  usually  drives  them  away  before  they  finish  laying, 
and  commences  to  sit.  The  hens  then  drop  their  eggs  about  the  plains, 
and,  from  the  large  number  of  wasted  eggs  found,  it  seems  probable 
that  more  are  dropped  out  of  the  nest  than  in  it.  The  colour  of  the 
egg  when  fresh  is  a  fine  golden  yellow.  The  young  when  hatched  arc 
assiduously  tended  and  watched  over  by  the  coek-bird,  who  charges 
an  intruder  with  outstretched  winas. 

Rheas  take  readily  to  water,  and  can  swim  across  a  river  several 
hundred  yards  wide,  the  body  being  almost  entirely  submerged.  They 
are  easily  acclimatized,  and  often  kept  in  jiarks  in  this  country,  where 
they  frequently  bi'eed.      The  feathers  are  of  little  commercial  value. 


Order  III.  DINORNITHIFORMES. 

Family  Dinormthid.t:.     ^Ioas. 

Tsiu  Zealand  was  formerly  inhabited  by  a  gigantic  race  oC  birds  l*-"*'- 
callcd  Jloas,  some  species  of  which  considerably  exceeded  in  size  the 
modern  Ostriclies.  Tlie  situation  and  state  of  preservation  of  tiie 
abundant  remains  whicii  have  been  found  indicate  that  they  existed  till 
compiuatively  recent  times,  and  \\erc  probably  cxtermiuatcd  by  the 
present  ^laori  inhabitants  of  the  islands.  Feathers  which  have  been 
found  associated  with  the  bones  show  tlic  presence  of  a  large  after- 
shaft,  as  in  the  Emus  and  Cassowaries ;  but  some  of  the  species 
resemble  the  Kiwis  [Ajitcn/x)  in  possessing  a  hind  toe.  Wings  were 
aljscnt,  and  the  shoulder-girdle  was  only  I'epresented  by  a  vestige. 

The  ^Moas  are  represented  by  several  genera,  the  largest  memijer 
being  D'niornis  max'nnmi  (1),  a  gigantic  bird,  of  whicli  a  skeleton  is 
exhibited.  Some  of  the  species  seem  to  have  survived  until  about  four 
or  five  hundred  years  ago,  or  even  later  iu  the  South  Island,  but  being 
flightless,  their  extinction  by  the  natives,  who  hunted  them  for  their 
flesh,  was  an  easy  task. 

Besides  large  quantities  of  bones,  some  of  which  liave  been  obtained 
from  native  cooking-places,  portions  of  the  skin  and  feathers  have 
been  discovered,  as  well  as  pebbles  used  to  aid  digestion,  and  eggs  both 
whole  and  fragmentary.  For  further  particulars  the  visitor  is  referred 
to  the  eighth  edition  of  tlie  Geological  Guide,  p.  92  (IQOJ'). 

Order  IV.  .EPYORNITHIFORMES. 

Family  ^*Epyorn"ithid.i,.     Madagascar  ]\Ioas. 
Fossil  remains  from   superficial   deposits    iu    Madagascar    show    the  < 

existence,  in  a  very  recent  geological  period,  of  several  species  of  Ratite 
birds,  whicli  bear  much  resemblance  to  the  DinornitliicUe.  One  of  their 
most  striking  characteristics  was  the  enormous  size  (both  absolute  and 
relative)  of  the  egg,  in  which  respect  they  resemble  the  Kiwis  {Apteryx) 
of  New  Zealand  rather  than  the  Moas.  Although  the  largest  species 
probably  stood  not  more  than  "  feet  higli,  the  eggs  exceed  all  others  in 
size,  some  of  the  shells  of  ^Epi/ornis  max'nniis  (8)  containing  from  two 
to  three  gallons  of  liquid,  or  an  amount  equal  to  the  contents  of  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  hen's  eggs.  An  example  exhibited  measures  : — 
long  ciicumference  2  ft.  7  ins.,  girth  2  ft.  2  ins.  These  birds  are 
believed  by  manj*  to  be  identical  with  the  famous  "  Roc  "  mentioned 
l)y  the  traveller  IMarco  Polo,  and  it  is  supposed  that  some  of  the 
species  were  in  existence  not  more  than  two  hundred  years  ago. 
ICf.  Geological  Guide,  p.  92  (1901).] 


12 


lUKI)   CALI.KHV. 


Order  A".  CASUARIIFOmiES.     Ivmus  and  Cassowauiks. 
Ill  the   two  families   (Drunueidie  and    Casuuniche)    comprising  this 
order  the  wings  arc  still  more  reduced  in  size  aud  the  "  fingers  "   arc 
represented    Ijy  one  claw-bearing    digit.       The  body-featlicrs  have  au 
aftershaft  or  accessory  plume  as  long  as  the  main  feather. 

Family  I.  Dhom.iud.'k.  1']mus. 
[Case  4.  The  I'hnus  agree  with  the  Cassowaries  in  possessing  a  large  after- 
■•liaft  to  the  hoily-feathers,  but  the  bill  is  broad  and  Hat,  the  head  and 
upper  part  of  the  neck  have  a  scanty  hair-like  covering,  and  there  is  \w 
horny  casque  or  helmet  or  ornamental  wattles.  The  wings  are  exceed- 
ingly small  aud,  like  the  tail,  entirely  concealed  beneath  the  general 
covering  of  feathei's.  The  three  toes  have  claws  of  similar  form  and 
nearly  equal  size. 

Of  the  two  species  surviving  at  the  present  time  the  commou  Knm 
{Dromceiis  novce-hollandia')  (9)  inhabits  I'^asteru  Australia,  and  tiie 
Spotted  Emu  [D.  irroratns)  Western  Australia.  A  small  IJlack  Euui 
{D.  (iter)  was  formerly  found  on  the  Island  of  Decres  or  Kaugaroo,  but 
is  now  extinct  and  only  known  from  two  specimens  preserved  in  the 
Paris  ^Museum  and  from  a  skeleton  in  the  ]\Iuseum  at  Florence.  It  is 
possible  that  a  fourth  species  existed  within  recent  times,  for  the 
Tasmanian  form  was  apparently  distinct  from  both  the  Australian 
species.  These  great  birds  frequent  the  desert  sandy  plains  and  open 
bush  districts,  feeding  on  fruit,  roots,  and  herbage ;  they  are  very  keen- 
sighted,  aud,  like  their  allies,  run  with  great  rapidity.  Unlike  the 
Khcas  and  Ostriches,  they  are  monogamous,  though  found  in  small 
parties  after  the  breeding-season.  The  female  deposits  her  eggs,  from 
seven  to  thirteen  or  more  in  number,  in  a  hollow^  scratched  in  the 
ground,  and  the  male  perforins  the  duties  of  incubation,  which  last  for 
about  eight  weeks.  The  young  are  greyish  white,  beautifully  striped 
with  black,  and  the  eggs  when  first  laid  are  of  a  rich  sap-green,  but 
this  colour  gradually  fades  to  dull  greenish-black. 

The  female  is  rather  smaller  than  the  male,  aud  both  sexes  possess  a 
remarkable  pouch  formed  by  the  inner  lining  of  the  windpipe.  This 
pouch  leaves  the  trachea  through  a  slit  in  the  anterior  wall,  aud  eau  be 
inflated  at  the  will  of  the  bird.  The  iuflation  is  probably  connected 
with  the  low,  resonant,  booming  note  uttered  during  the  nesting-season. 
Owing  to  the  constant  persecution  to  which  they  are  subjected,  Jjiiius 
are  becoming  scarcer  year  by  year.  JJeing  hardy  birds  they  arc  easily 
domesticated  aud  breed  readily  in  parks  Ijoth  in  this  country  and  iu 
Europe. 

A  fossil  species  occurs  in  the  Pleistocene  of  Qneensland  and  New 
South  Wales. 


CASSUWAUIliS.  l." 

Family  II.  CAsrAiuin  i;.     Cas^sow  akihs. 

The  Cassowaries  ( 1 0-20 1  icsemble  tlji'  Emus  [Droiitcehhe)  ami  tlie  Jloas  LCuies  ■"), 
(Dltwrtiit/iiihe),  inasiuucli  as  the  feathers  clotliiiig  tiie  general  siirlaecof  *^'','f,f''^"i 
the  budy  appear  to  be  double,  the  aftershaft  or  accessory  plume  beiug  as 
long  as  the  main  feather.  They  dift'er,  however,  in  the  peculiar  structure 
of  tlie  wing,  -which  is  extremely  small  and  has  the  quill-feathers  reduced 
in  number  to  five  or  six.  These  coiisist  of  stout  bare  shafts  without 
any  barbs,  and  project  conspicuously  beyond  the  body-feathers.  The 
bill  is  compressed,  the  top  of  the  head  carries  a  horny  casque  or 
helmet,  varying  in  form  in  the  different  species,  and  some  part  of  the 
neck  is  bare,  generally  more  or  less  ornamented  with  caruncles  or 
wattles  and  brightly  coloured.  The  inner  toe  is  armed  with  a  \unix, 
sharp,  powerful  claw. 

Eleven  species  are  l<nown,  and  witli  the  exception  of  the  Australian 
Cassowary  {Caxuariiis  ui:ntra//.s)  (10),  which  is  found  in  the  Cai)e  Yori^ 
Peninsula  and  extends  as  far  south  as  liockingham  Bav,  all  are  natives 
of  the  I'aiuiau  group  of  ishmds  extending  eastward  to  Xew  Britain. 
They  inhabit  the  dense  forests  and  scrub,  and  are  never  met  with  in  the 
open  plains.  The  nest — a  mere  depression  among  the  fallen  leaves  and 
debris  below  bushes  and  undergrowth — contains  from  three  to  six  large 
eggs  of  a  bright  green  colour.  Incubation  lasts  for  about  seven  weeks, 
and,  as  in  the  allied  forms,  is  performed  by  the  male  bird,  who  also 
tends  the  young  when  hatched.  The  nestlings  are  clothed  in  rustv 
brown  with  darker  stripes,  and  at  a  later  period  become  more  tawny, 
finally  assuming  the  glossy  black  hair-like  plumage  of  the  adult.  The 
wattles  and  bright  colours  on  the  neck  are  assumed  at  a  compara- 
tively early  period,  but  the  helmet  is  very  gradually  developed.  Casso- 
waries run  with  great  swiftness,  and  when  evading  pursuit  leap  over 
high  obstacles  with  wonderful  agility  ;  they  arc  also  strong  swimmers, 
and  able  to  cross  wide  rivers  with  ease.  Their  cry  is  a  loud,  harsh, 
quickly  repeated  guttural  .>ound  audible  at  a  great  distance.  Their  skiu 
is  manufactured  into  mats  and  head- ornaments  by  the  natives. 

Order  A' I.  APTEltVGlEOR^IES. 
Family  Apteuvgid.e.     Kiwis.     (Plate  I.) 

The  Kiwis  are  the  smallest  of  the  flightless  Ratitcc,  and  di Her  from  [('ate-';.] 
all  existing  forms  of  the  group  in  possessing  a  small  hind  toe  or  hallux 
and  in  the  length  of  the  bill,  the  nostrils  of  which  arc  placed  near  the 
tip,  instead  of  at  the  base  as  is  the  case  in  most  birds.  The  feathers 
have  no  aftershaft.  The  wings  are  so  small  that  they  are  completely 
concealed   by  the  general   body-clothing,  and  there  is  no  visible  tail. 


1   i  IlllU)   (.Al.Ll.UV. 

Tlic  legs  ami  feet  are  very  stout  and  tlie  claws  lon^,  eurved,  and  shai'p- 
jioiuted. 

The  four  or  five  known  species  arc  all  natives  of  New  Zealand.  Tliey 
arc  nocturnal  birds  and  sleep  during  the  day  in  some  secluded  retreat  in 
burrows  in  the  ground  or  under  tree-roots;  in  tlic  dusk  they  are  lively 
enough,  creeping  quietly  about  in  search  of  worms,  insects,  and  berries, 
for  whicli  they  hunt  with  a  continual  sniffing  sound,  much  like  that 
made  by  a  liedgehog.  Though  formerly  common  at  low  elevations,  they 
are  now  chiefly  met  with  on  the  slopes  of  the  mountains,  where  the 
dense  undergrowth  affords  them  some  protection  from  their  enemies. 
Though  found  in  small  flocks  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year,  they 
separate  off  in  pairs  in  the  breeding-season.  The  nest  is  merely  an 
enlarged  space  at  the  end  of  a  burrow,  lined  with  dry  fern  an;i  herbage, 
and  contains  one  or  two  very  large  white  eggs,  enormous  compared  with 
the  size  of  the  bird,  and  equal  to  about  a  quarter  of  its  weight.  The 
male  performs  most,  if  not  all,  of  the  duties  of  incubation.  The  loud 
whistling  note,  from  whence  the  name  Kiwi  is  dei'ived,  is  chiefly 
uttered  on  Ijright  nights.  The  Maories  greatly  esteem  the  Hesh  of  these 
liii'ds,  and  the  systematic  way  in  whicli  they  are  hunted  must  sooner  or 
later  end  in  their  extermination. 

A.  muiitc'IH  (21),  inhabiting  the  North  Island,  A.  australis  (22) 
fPl.  I.],  a  smaller  form  from  the  South  Island,  and  A.  lawnj'i,  of 
Stewart  Island,  are  streaked  species;  while  A.  rnven't  (23)  and  A.  haasti 
(24),  occurring  in  both  the  North  and  South  Islands,  belong  to  a 
differently  marked  group,  with  the  feathers  transversely  marked  with 
blackish  bars. 

Order  VII.  TINAMI  FORMES. 

Family  Tinamid.e.     Tinamous. 

[I  'eiitiiil  The  Tinamous  are  sometimes  placed  at  the  end  of  the  subclass  of 
Carinate  Birds,  the  sternum  being  provided  with  a  keel,  while  all  the 
members  are  capable  of  flight ;  but  they  agree  so  well  in  their  other 
osteological  characters  with  the  Struthious  group  that  tliey  are  here 
included  in  the  same  snbclass. 

Tiie  Tinamous  are  Partridge-like  birds  inhabiting  .Mexico  and  Ccutral 
and  South  America,  and  vary  m  size  from  species  as  large  as  a  Fowl 
to  birds  no  larger  than  a  Quail.  The  bill  is  rather  long  and  generally 
somewhat  curved,  the  head  small,  the  neck  long  and  rather  thin,  the 
wings  short  and  rounded,  and  the  tail-feathers  greatly  abbreviated  and 
more  or  less  concealed  by  the  upper  tail-coverts,  from  which  in  many 
cases  they  are  hardly  distinguishable.  Most  of  the  genera  possess  four 
tees,  the  hind  toe  or  hallux  being  generally  developed.     Powder-down 


t.ibl.'- 


PLATE    I. 


.Shaw's    Kiwi  [A/t/ciyx  am/ralis)    WITH  egg.     No.  22. 


TlNAilOUS.  15 

patches  are  present  near  the  rump  in  certain  forms.  The  eggs  are 
specially  rcnuirkable,  being  highly  glossed  or  bnrnished,  and  unlike 
those  of  any  other  bird. 

Between  sixty  and  seventy  species  arc  enumerated  in  the  most  recent 
treatise  of  the  group.  All  are  essentially  ground-birds,  and  rarely 
perch,  but  liaunt  the  undei-gro'.vth  of  thick  forests,  the  grassy  Hats  inter- 
spersed with  bushes,  or  open  pampas.  They  are  great  runners,  and 
generally  ditlieult  to  flush;  but  once  on  the  wing,  their  lliglit  is  strong 
and  swift.  The  cry  is  a  mellow  whistle  composed  of  several  notes,  and 
varies  somewliat  in  the  different  species.  The  nest  is  a  hole  scraped  in 
the  ground  under  the  shelter  of  some  bush  or  tuft  of  grass,  and  lined 
with  dry  herbage  and  leaves,  and,  as  in  the  Struthious  birds,  tlic  male 
undertakes  the  duties  of  incubation.  Tlic  number  of  eggs  is  said 
to  vary  from  four  to  sixteen,  the  latter  number  being  probably  the 
j)rodnce  of  more  than  one  female.  The  eggs  vary  in  colour  in  the 
<lifferent  genera,  some  being  vinous,  reddish-chocolate,  or  dull  purple, 
others  dark  blue,  blnish-greeu,  sage-green,  or  primrose-colour,  the  shell 
in  all  lesembling  glazed  porcelain  or  burnished  metal. 

In  all  the  Tinamous  the  plumage  is  inconspicuous,  the  general  colour 
being  some  shade  of  brown,  greyish  or  buff,  more  or  less  mottled  and 
barred.  One  of  the  largest  species  is  77//«w«.s' .yo//7«/v'ws  (25),  a  native 
of  Paraguay  and  Scnithern  Brazil ;  but  the  must  familiar  is  the  Uufescent 
Tinamou  [Rhijiichotus  rufusceiis)  (27),  found  in  the  open  pampas  from 
Brazil  southwards,  and  known  as  the  "Pcrdiz  grande."  It  has  been 
introduced  into  England,  and  stands  our  climate  well ;  but  as  a  game- 
bird  it  cannot  be  called  a  success,  being  of  solitary  habit  and  difficult 
to  flush.  Once  ou  the  wing  its  flight  is  very  fast  and  extraordinarily 
noisy;  with  constantly  vibrating  wings,  the  bird  flies  straight  away 
for  about  1000  yards  before  it  slopes  gradually  to  the  earth.  Of  the 
other  genera  belonging  to  this  section  possessing  a  hind  toe  [Tinuiniace) 
examples  will  be  found  in  Nothoprocta  perdicaria  (28)  and  several 
species  of  Cryptiirtis  (29-32).  Two  genera  have  no  hind  toe  and  form 
the  section  Tiuainoticliiue ;  examples  of  both  these  will  be  found  in 
Tinamolis  penthindi  (33)  and  Calope~us  eleyans  (34),  remarkable  for  its 
long-  crest  of  black  featheis. 


I'.IKI)   (.  ALLIK  V. 


Section  B.    C'ARINAT.E.     Caiuxate  Birds. 

jVU  existing  birds  wliicli  do  not  belong  to  tlie  Ha/itte  are  included  in 
one  great  division — the  ('(iriitatte — eliaraeterizcd  by  tlie  fact  that  the 
pterygoid  bone  articulates  with  the  palatine  by  means  of  a  joint.  The 
vomer  is  much  reduced  or  absent. 

lu  some  few  birds  belonging  to  several  different  subdivisions  of  this 
great  group  the  keel  of  the  breast-l)one  is  extremely  reduced  in  size, 
and  the  power  of  flight  is  almost  or  entirely  lost,  as  is  tlie  case  in  the 
llightless  Jxatitie. 

Till'  Llivision  of  the  Cariiiattf  into  (jrders  and  familieSj  and  the  mutual 
relations  of  these  groups  to  one  another,  arc  subjects  of  great  difficulty 
upon  w  Inch  zoologists  are  by  no  means  as  yet  agreed.  Tlie  classification 
a(lo2)ted  in  this  gallery,  which  represents  the  general  result  of  much 
recent  work,  must  therefore  be  looked  upon  as  provisional. 

'J'hirty-one  Orders  arc  recognized  in  this  scheme. 


Order  I.  GALLIFOKMES.     Game-Bikus. 

This  order  is  composed  of  the  great  bidk  of  the  species  commonly 
known  as  "  (iame  "-Birds.  Ncai'ly  lUO  different  kinds  are  known, 
forming  a  well-defined  gron|). 

Tin'  bill  is  short  and  stout,  the  upper  uiauddjle  being  ari'hed  anil 
overhanging  the  lower  mandible.  The  body  is  well-built  and  robust, 
the  great  development  of  the  pectoral  muscles  giving  these  birds  a  well- 
fed,  sturdy  appearance.  The  legs  and  toes  are  fairly  long  and  strong 
and  well  adapted  for  walking  and  rnnning,  and  the  latter  are  provided 
witli  stout  curved  claws,  suitable  for  scratching  and  digging  np  roots, 
insects,  and  other  food.  The  hind  toe  is  always  present,  btit  varies  in 
size  and  position. 

The  feathers  covering  the  body  arc  provided  with  a  well-developed 
aftcrshaft. 

The  young  when  hatched  arc  covered  with  soft,  beautifully  patterned 
down  (except  in  the  JMegapodes,  lui/c  infra),  iuid  arc  able  to  run  within 
a  few  hours  of  the  time  they  emerge  from  the  shell.  The  eggs,  especially 
of  the  smaller  species,  are  often  numerous,  and,  when  spotted,  have  only 
a  single  set  of  surface-marks,  which  arc  easily  removed,  none  of  the 
pale  underlying  sj>ots  characteristic  of  the  Sand-Grouse,  Hcmipodes, 
and  Wading-birds  being  Ibiiiid. 

Two  Suborder*  are  recognized. 


CAMli-BIUDS.  1/ 

Suborder  I.   P  e  r  i  s  t  e  it  o  p  o  d  e  s. 

The  first  suborder  of  tlie  Gaine-Birds  includes  two  families,  whicli  are 
easil_y  distiuguisbed  by  the  following  characteristics.  The  liind  toe 
{hallux)  is  on  the  same  level  as  the  other  toes,  and  tlic  inner  notch  of  the 
breast-bone  [sternum)  is  less  than  half  the  length  of  the  entire  breast- 
bone. The  first  famih'  includes  the  Megapodes  and  I5rush-Turkcys 
{Megapodlkhe)  ;  the  second  the  Curassows,  Penelopes,  and  Guans 
(Crocidte). 

Family  I.  MEGAroDiiD.i;.     Megapodes. 

The  Megapodes  or  Mound-builders  are  remarkable  not  only  in  having  [Qnsv  7.] 
the  oil-gland  at  the  base  of  the  tail  nude,  but  for  their  peculiar  nesting- 
habits,  Mliicli  possess  the  highest  interest.  The  eggs,  which  are  vers' 
large  for  the  size  of  the  birds,  are  laid  at  considerable  intervals,  and 
either  deposited  in  holes  dug  in  the  sand  or  in  a  mound  of  soil  and 
decaying  vegetable  matter  raised  by  one  or  more  pairs  of  birds.  The 
young  are  hatched  as  in  an  incubator  by  the  warmth  of  the  mound  or 
sand,  without  the  aid  of  the  parent  birds,  and  on  leaving  the  shell 
are  fully  feathered,  able  to  fly  and  take  care  of  themselves.  In  all  the 
sjjecies  the  legs  and  feet  are  very  large  and  strong  and  well  adapted  for 
digging  and  scratching. 

Of  the  true  Megapodes — all  dull-coloured  birds — examples  will  be 
found  in  Megapodius  cnmingi  (37)  and  M.  freydnetl  (38).  Like  most 
of  the  other  members  of  tliis  family,  they  form  a  nesting-mouiul  by 
kicking  the  soil  and  dead  vegetable  matter  backwards  into  a  common 
centre,  thus  forming  a  large  heap  which  is  usually  situated  in  dense 
jungle.  B\'  the  efforts  of  successive  generations  this  sometimes 
attains  incredible  dimensions,  one  instance  being  on  record  where  the 
circiunfcrencc  round  the  base  of  the  mound  was  no  less  than  150  feet. 
Each  mound  is  said  to  be  the  property  of  one  pair  only,  and  the  female, 
having  deposited  her  eggs  and  covered  them  up,  leaves  them  to  be 
incubated  by  the  heat  of  the  accumulated  decomposing  matter. 

As  may  be  seen  by  the  young  of  M.  cumbigi  (37)  taken  from  the 
mound,  the  young  bird  when  hatched  is  well-feathered,  able  to  fly. 
The  egg  is  remarkably  large  in  jn'oportion  to  the  size  of  the  parent. 

The  most  handsomely  marked  members  of  the  group  are  Wallace's 
Megapode  {Eulipoa  wallacei)  (40),  from  the  Moluccas,  and  Lipoa 
ocellutu  (41),  from  Southern  and  Western  Australia.  To  the  same 
family  belong  the  Australian  Brush-Turkeys  [Catheturus)  (43)  and 
their  allies  from  New  Guinea  [Talegallus)  (42).  The  most  remarkable 
is  the  Maleo  {Megacephalon.  inaleo)  (39),  a  native  of  Celebes,  with  its 
delicate  pink    breast    and    an    ornamental    bare    knob    on    the   head. 

c 


18  HIUl)   (;AI.Lr.KY. 

Uulikc  the  other  members,  this  l)irtl  makes  no  mouiul,  but  hiys  its  eggs, 
^\hieh  are  deposited  at  intervals  of  ten  or  twelve  days,  in  lioles  in  the 
sand  on  the  sea-beach  just  above  liigh-vvater  mark.  Tlie  birds  visit 
the  siiore  in  pairs.  Several  females  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  same 
hole,  and  having  eovered  them  with  sand  return  to  the  forest  and  take 
no  further  notice  of  them. 


Family  II.  Ckacid.i;.     Cirassows  and  Guans. 

[Ciises       The  Cui'assovvs   and  Guans  are   distinguished  from  the  Megapodes 
''■-'  by   having  a   tufted  oil-gland,   and    ditl'er    entirely   in    their    breeding- 
habits.     The  eggs,  which   are  white  and   usually  two   in  number,  are 
laid  in  a  nest  made  either  in  a  tree  or  on  the  ground,  and  incubated  in 
the  usual  manner.     The  young  when  hatched  are  eovered  with  down. 

Nearly  sixty  species  are  known,  all  iuhaljitants  of  the  forest  regions 
of  Central  and  South  America,  where  they  seem  to  take  the  place  of  the 
larger  Game- Birds  of  the  Old  World. 

They  may  be  grouped  into  three  subfamilies  : — A.  With  the  upper 
mandible  higher  than  broad  (I.  Craciiuv).  13.  With  the  mandible 
broader  than  high  and  with  the  top  of  the  head  mostly  naked,  and 
having  an  elevated  cylindrical,  occipital  helmet  (3.  Oreophasina),  or, 
with  the  top  of  the  head  feathered  and  without  a  helmet  (3.  Pene- 
lojnnce). 

The  true  Curassows  have  the  feathers  on  the  top  of  the  head 
semierect  and  curled  at  the  extremity,  and  are  represented  by  Crax 
(tlector  (44),  a  native  of  the  northern  parts  of  South  America.  Some  of 
the  allied  species  differ  iu  having  a  swollen  knob  at  the  base  of  the 
ujjper  mandible  and  wattles  at  the  base  of  the  lower.  They  are  readily 
domesticated  in  their  native  country  and  valued  as  food. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  is  Lord  Derby's  Mountain-Pheasant 
{Oreophasis  derbiunus)  (46),  with  its  curious  helmeted  head,  the  sole 
representative  of  its  subfamily.  This  species  is  only  found  in 
Guatemala,  and  is  apparently  restricted  to  the  higher  forests  of  the 
Volcan  de  Fuego.  Like  the  Currasovvs  and  Guans,  it  feeds  on  fruits 
in  the  higher  branches  of  the  forest  trees  during  the  early  morning, 
and  as  day  advances  descends  to  the  underwood,  where  it  spends  its 
time  basking  or  sci'atching  among  the  leaves. 

The  Guaus  and  Penelopes  form  the  last  subfamilj',  which  includes 
six  genera  and  contains  the  majority  of  the  species.  Of  the  Peuelojics 
{Penelope)  (47-51),  hve  species  are  exhibited,  and  may  be  recognized  by 
their  naked  chin  and  throat  with  a  median  wattle.  The  Black  Penelope 
(Penelupina  myru)  (52),  from  the  highlands  of  Guatemala,  is  the  sole 
representative  of  the  second  genus,  in  which  the  sexes  ditfcr  in  plumage. 


GAME-nlUD*.  19 

the  female  being  baiTcd  with  I'utbus.  The  (iuans  [OrtuVis)  (53-55),  of 
vvliich  three  species  arc  slio\yUj  ai'c  very  similar  birds  to  the  two  former, 
but  tlierc  is  a  thin  band  of  featliers  down  the  middle  of  the  naked 
throat,  and  no  wattle.  The  remaining  three  genera,  Pipile  (56), 
Alinrria  (57),  and  CltaiiHepL'tts  (58,  59),  are  remarkable  in  having  the 
inner  web  of  tlie  first  two  or  three  Hight-feathcrs  deeply  excised. 


Suborder  II.  A  l  k  i  t  o  k  (j  r  o  d  k  s.     Tkue  Game-Bikds. 

This  grou[)  includes  the  Pheasants,  Partridges,  and  Grouse,  whicli 
normally  nest  on  the  ground.  They  arc  characterised  by  having  the 
hind  toe  {hallux)  raised  above  the  level  of  the  other  toes,  and  by  having 
the  inner  notch  of  the  breast-bone  istcnimn)  more  than  half  the  length 
of  the  entire  stci'uum. 

Family  I.  Piiasianid.e.     Pheasants,  Partridges,  and  Quails. 

The  large  number  of  Ganic-Birds  comprising  this  family  are 
distinguished  from  the  Grouse  by  the  following  characters.  The 
nostrils  are  never  hidden  by  feathers,  and  the  legs  are  either  feathered 
partially  as  in  the  Snow-Partridges  (Lenra)  ( 1 64)  or  wholly  naked  and  often 
armed  with  one  or  more  pairs  of  spurs.  The  toes  are  always  devoid  of 
feathers  and  never  pectinate  along  tiie  sides,  the  horny  comb-like 
appendages  so  characteristic  of  the  Bare-toed  Grouse  being  invariably 
absent. 

This  great  family  has  been  divided  into  the  subfamilies  Odonto- 
phorliiu',  Pfiuxianiiue,  and  Perdicniie,  the  first  containing  the  American 
Partridges  and  Uuails,  the  second  the  Pheasants  and  Peacocks  with 
their  allies  tlie  Turkeys  and  Gruinca-Fowls,  and  the  third  the  Old- 
VVorlcl  Partridge  like  forms. 

Subfamily  I.    Odoiitoplioruuc     American  Partridges  and  Quails. 

The    American    Partridges    (Odonto/jfiorhire)    are    distinguished    by   [Case  0.1 
Laving  the  cutting-edge  of  the   lower   mandible  serrated  or  provided 
with  a  tooth-like  process,  well  marked  in  the  great  majority  of  species, 
but  in  some  instances  less  distinct. 

The  Scaly  Partridge  [Callipepla  sijuamata)  (60)  is  a  native  of  the  high 
barren  plateaus  of  ^Mexico  and  the  States  immediately  to  the  north. 
In  both  sexes  the  black  edges  to  the  feathers  give  the  phimage  a  scaled 
appearance. 

Of  the  Crested  Quails  {Eupsychortyx)  eight  small  species  arc  known 
to  inhabit  Central  America  and  the  north-east  of  South  America.  An 
example  of  this  groui)  may  be  seen  in  the  While-faced  Crcstcd-Quiiil 
{E.  Ieucopo(joii)  (62). 


~0  BIKD  GALLKHV. 

Closely  iiUied  to  the  Crested  Quails  arc  the  Colins  or  Bob-;vliites 
( Oiiijx)^  of  which  ten  difl'creut  kinds  are  found  in  the  United  States  of 
N.  America  and  Mexico  and  distiuguishcd  from  the  last  genus  by  the 
absence  of  a  crest.  Of  these  the  best  known  is  the  Virginian  Colin  or 
B(jb-\Thite  [0.  riry/Hianus-)  (61)  from  the  Eastern  United  States,  which 
has  been  introduced  into  various  parts  of  the  Old  "World.  This  is  the 
most  prolific  of  North  American  Game-Birds,  the  number  of  eggs 
varying  from  twelve  to  eighteen.  As  many  as  thirty-seven  eggs  have 
been  found  in  one  nest,  but  they  were  doubtless  the  product  of  more 
than  one  hen. 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  forms  is  the  Plumed  Partridge  or 
Mountain-Quail  {(Jreoiii/x  p'lctus)  (64),  found  in  the  Sierras  of  the 
Western  States  of  North  America.  Both  male  and  female  are  nearly 
alike  in  plumage,  and  have  a  very  long  crest  composed  of  two 
featiicrs. 

The  next  genus  includes  three  species,  of  which  the  Califoruian 
Quail  (Lojiliortii.i-  ca/ij'oriiicus)  (65)  is  a  lamiliar  example  frecjuently 
to  be  seen  in  aviaries.  It  inhabits  the  brush-covered  hills  and  canons 
of  llie  Western  States  of  North  America,  ascending  in  Lower  California 
to  an  elevation  of  about  UUUO  feet. 

The  Harlequin-Quails  { Ci/rtoui/x) ,  often  known  as  "Fool  Quails"  on 
account  of  their  extreme  tauieness,  arc  found  in  Central  America, 
Mexico,  and  the  States  immediately  to  the  north.  Of  the  three  species 
known  the  Massena  Quail  [(.'.  montezuiiue)  (66)  is  the  handsomest,  and 
inhabits  the  rocky  ravines  among  the  higher  ranges,  being  found  in 
summer  at  elevations  of  from  7000  to  9000  feet. 

Larger  birds  of  this  group  are  the  Thick-billed  Partridges  {Odunlo- 
plioritsj  (67-69),  of  which  more  than  a  dozen  species  are  known 
from  the  forests  of  Central  and  South  America.  fliey  seldom  Hy 
if  they  can  avoid  doing  so.  and  when  Hushed  betaki'  themselves  to  the 
branches  of  trees. 

Another  forest  bird  is  the  Long-nailed  Partridge  {Dacti//orh/.r 
thoracicKs)  (70),  a  Central  American  form,  remarkable,  like  tli(' 
Hailetiuin-Quaiis,  for  its  very  long  and  nearly  straight  claws. 

I'oiir  rather  large  species  of  Long-tailed  American  Partridge  [Deiulr- 
oj-tiji)  (71,  72)  are  known  from  the  mountain  forests  of  South  Mexico 
and  Central  America.  Two  of  these  are  exhibited,  and  easily  recognised 
by  their  short  stout  bill  and  comparatively  long  tail. 

Between  the  second  and  third  subfamilies  of  the  I'ltutiianidct;  there 
appears  to  be  no  real  line  of  demarcation,  the  Pheasants  and  Peacocks 
{P/uisiamn(e)  and  the  Old-World  Partridges  (Perdiciiice)  being  iii- 
timatclv  connected  with  one  another  bv  such  forms  as  the  Bamboo- 


r;AME-l!inns:.  21 

Pfirtridfics  {Bamhii.^'icola) ,  the  Stoiic-I'lieasants  {Ptiloju/c/n/s),  and  the 
Indian  Spur-Fowl  {Gal/ojicrdi t).  Tlie  shape  of  the  wing  is  pi'rliap=: 
tlio  most  important  (listin<;'uishing  mark,  and  when  taken  in  connection 
with  the  lengtli  of  the  tail  is  a  useful,  if  somewhat  artificial,  character. 
In  all  the  PhushniiiHe,  -with  the  exception  of  the  two  genera  Phasiamix 
and  Calophasis,  the  first  flight-feather  is  much  shorter  tlian  the  tenth, 
and  it  is  only  by  using  the  combined  characters  of  the  shape  of  the 
wing  and  length  of  the  tail  that  the  two  groups  can  he  separated. 

Subfamily  II.  Pliasianiiue.     Pheasant-like  Garae-Birds. 

The  Pheasants  and  their  allies  the  Turkeys  and  Guinea-Fowl  may  be 
recognized  bj'  the  following  characters.  The  cutting-edge  of  the  lower 
mandible  is  not  serrated  or  provided  with  a  tooth-like  process.  The 
first  flight-feather  is  xliorfer,  generally  iiiacJt  shorter  than  the  tenth, 
except  in  true  Pheasants  {F/iasiaiiiis)  and  the  Barred-backed  Pheasants 
(C/ilojiliasis),  but  as  these  possess  very  long  tails,  they  arc  at  once  seen 
to  belong  to  the  Phasiannw. 

The  most  perfect  type  of  Pheasant-wing  is  found  in  the  Argus 
Pheasants  {Argusianus),  wheic  the  first  flight-feather  is  the  shortest  and 
the  tenth  the  longest.  As  might  be  expected  from  the  shape  of  the 
wing  these  birds  rarely  fly,  and  always  prefer  to  escape  by  running  very 
swiftly  through  the  densest  jungle. 

The  Turkeys  {Meleayris)  from  North  and  Central  America  are  [Cases 
among  the  largest  and  handsomest  members  of  the  group.  The  chief  '  '  '-' 
characteristics  of  adult  birds  are  the  fleshy  wattles,  which  ornament 
the  naked  head  and  neck,  and  the  erectile  fleshy  process  on  the  foiT- 
head.  Of  the  four  North  American  forms  a  representative  will  be 
found  iu  the  American  Turkey  (.1/.  nmerirniia)  (73).  This  is  a  woodland 
bird,  generally  found  in  flocks,  which  seek  their  food  on  the  ground  by 
day  and  roost  in  the  highest  trees.  Though  still  found  in  considerable 
numbers  in  the  Southern  and  Central  United  States  this  species  was 
formerly  abundant  over  a  much  wider  range,  but  constant  persecution 
has  exterminated  it  in  the  Northern  and  Western  States,  and  changed 
a  ouce  by  no  means  shy  bird  into  the  most  cunning  and  wary  of  all  the 
Game-Birds.  The  Mexican  Turkey  {M.  gallopavo) ,  a  mountain  species 
inhabiting  the  high  tablelands  of  North  Mexico  and  the  neighbouring 
States  up  to  an  elevation  of  10,000  feet,  is  interesting  as  being  the 
species  from  which  the  domestic  breed  of  Turkey  was  originally 
derived.  It  differs  from  the  American  Turkey  in  having  the  upper 
tail-coverts  and  tail-feathers  broadly  tipped  with  white.  The  most 
beautiful  is  undoubtedly  the  Honduras  Turkey  [M.  ocellata)  (^74), 
from  Central  America,  the  colouring  of  the  naked  head,  brilliant 
metallic    plumage,    and    oeellated    tail    combining     to    make    up    a 


22  lillU)  CIAI.LERV. 

iiiaguificeiit  whole.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  male  of  this  species  is 
witiiout  the  tassel-like  hiuich  of  bristles  on  the  lireast  characteristic 
of  the  males  of  the  other  sjjeeies. 
[C'lisr  10.  The  Giiiuea-Fowl,  inchiding-  five  genera,  are  the  rei)resentatives  of 
the  Asiatic  Pheasants  in  Africa,  and  form  an  intermediate  link  between 
the  latter  and  the  Turkeys  of  America.  In  all  the  species  the  plumage 
of  the  male  and  female  is  alike. 

A  very  rare  West  African  form  is  the  Turkey-like  Guinca-Fowl 
[Agchistes  nicleagricles)  (75),  which  ranges  from  Liberia  to  Gaboon. 

The  Heliiictrd  Guinea-Fowls  {Xiimida)  (77)  include  eiglit  species, 
one  of  whicli  (A',  melecigris)  (76)  is  the  wild  ancestor  of  onr  domestic 
breed.  Their  chief  characteristics  are  the  naked  head  surmounted  by 
a  more  or  less  elevated  bony  helmet,  the  wattles  on  each  side  of  the 
gape,  and  the  blackish  plumage  spotted  with  white.  As  a  rule  they  are 
found  in  tiocks  in  the  scrubby  brush.  Their  flight  is  comparatively 
feeble,  but  they  can  run  very  rapidly,  and  if  hard-pressed  take  refuge 
among  the  lower  branches  of  any  convenient  bush  or  tree,  also  roosting 
there  at  night. 

The  crested  Guinea-Fowls  (Gtitltra),  of  which  several  kinds  are 
known,  may  be  distinguished  from  the  last  group  by  their  black 
crested  head,  pale  blue-spotted  plumage,  and  the  white  band  along  the 
wing.  An  example  of  these  will  be  found  in  the  Curly-crcstcd  Guiuca- 
Fowl  (G.  crlstula)  (78)  from  East  Africa. 

Of  the  fifth  genus  the  Ynlturine  Guinea-Fowl  (Acrijliiniii  vul- 
tnrtimm)  (80)  is  the  sole  representative.  This  very  handsome  bird, 
with  its  brightly  coloured  hackles  and  long  pointed  tail,  is  a  native  of 
East  Africa.  The  legs  of  the  male  bear  Ijlunt  knoi)s.  -which  in  some 
examples  number  as  many  as  five. 
[OentrRl  The  Fcafowl  iPuvu)  are  the  largest  and  most  magnificently  coloured 
birds  of  the  group.  Only  two  species  are  knowu,  the  common 
Peafowl  (P.  cristatiis)  (81),  found  throughout  India,  Assam,  and 
Ceylon;  and  the  Burmese  Peafowl  (P.  luuficiis)  (82),  from  the  Indo- 
Chinese  countries,  the  Malay  Peninsula,  and  Java.  The  tail,  composed 
of  20  feathers  is  long,  but  entirely  hidden  by  the  upper  tail-coverts, 
which  arc  enormously  developed  in  the  male,  and  form  the  "train." 
The  common  Peafowl  frequents  broken  and  jungly  ground,  where 
good  cover  and  water  arc  to  be  found,  and  is  seldom  met  ^\  ith  at 
elevations  exceeding  .'2000  to  3000  feet.  It  jirefers  the  neighbourhood 
of  cultivated  fields,  and,  where  numerous,  docs  much  harm  to 
cultivation.  At  night  the  male  and  his  harem,  consisting  of  four 
or  five  females,  roost  on  the  lower  branches  of  the  highest  trees. 
[Ca.'-i-  10.1  Intermediate  between  the  Pheasants  and  Peafowl  is  a  beautiful 
group    known  as   the   Peacock-Pheasants    {Pohjpltrtrnn).      The   dense 


AME-BIRDS.  23 

jungles  and  lower  lull-forests  of  tlic  Iiido-Malayan  countries  and  the 
islands  of  Sumatra,  Borneo,  and  Palawan  are  their  home.  The  leg  of 
the  male  is  armed  with  two,  three,  and  sometimes  four  sjiurs,  the 
number  being  rarely  the  same  on  the  two  legs.  The  Grey  Peacock- 
Pheasant  {P.  chiiiquis)  (85)  ranges  from  Sikliim  to  Tenasserim  and 
eastwards  to  the  Laos  country.  The  female  when  followed  by  her 
chicks  has  a  curious  habit  of  carrying  her  tail  widely  spread,  and  the 
yonng  always  remain  hidden  beneath  it.  They  run  forward  when 
called  by  the  mother  to  pick  up  food,  but  having  eaten  it,  immediately 
retreat  to  their  shelter.  A  very  rare  species  may  be  seen  in  the 
Borneau  Peacock-Pheasant  [P.  scJileiermacheri)  (86),  which  is  peculiar 
to  that  island. 

The  Ai'gus  Pheasants  arc  represented  by  two  distinct  types,  both  of  [(,'ential 
which  are  exhibited  in  the  centre  case.  The  true  Argus  Pheasants  ^'^"^J 
{Argiislaniis) ,  as  already  stated,  arc  remarkable  for  the  shape  of  the 
wings,  in  wlueli  the  most  perfect  Pheasant-type  is  found,  the  first  flight- 
featlier  being  the  shortest  and  the  tenth  the  longest.  Even  more 
remarkable  are  the  enormously  developed  secondary  quills  of  the  male, 
beautifully  decorated  with  rows  of  large  ocelli.  The  Argus  Pheasant 
(yi.  urjjus)  (87)  ranges  from  the  Laos  country  and  Siam  through  the 
Malay  Peninsnla  to  Sumatra,  its  favourite  haunts  being  the  depths  of 
the  evergreen-forests.  Here  a  level  spot,  shut  in  by  some  dense  cane- 
brake,  is  chosen  l)y  the  male,  and  cleared  of  all  dead  leaves  and  weeds 
for  a  space  of  six  or  eight  yards  square,  till  nothing  but  the  bare  earth 
remains.  This  spot  is  suljscqucntlv  kept  scrupulously  clean,  and  used 
as  a  dancing-ground.  The  male  spends  the  greater  part  of  tlie  day 
there,  and  roosts  at  night  on  some  tree  close  by.  In  Borneo  a  different 
and  somewhat  smaller  species  [A.  yrayi)  occurs. 

Of  the  second  genus  [Rheinhardtius)  a  representative  will  be  found  in 
Elieinhardt's  Crested  Argus  {R.  ucellatus)  (88),  one  of  the  rarest  of  all 
the  game-birds.  In  this  species  no  extraordinary  development  of  the 
secondary  flight-feathers  is  found,  but  the  tail  is  enormously  long  in 
the  male.  For  many  years  the  existence  of  this  liird  was  only  known 
from  some  tail-feathers  in  the  Paris  Museum,  and  it  was  not  until  1883 
that  a  few  pairs  were  obtained  by  the  French  during  the  Tonkin  war. 
A  second  species  has  recently  been  discovered  in  the  native  state  of 
Pahang  in  the  south  of  the  ]Malay  Peninsula. 

Of  the   Jungle-Fowl    [Gallus)   at  least  four  verv  distinct  species  are  [Ca?e  10.] 
known   to  inhabit   the  dense  jungles  of  the  Indian  Peninsula,   Indo- 
INIalayan  countries,  and  the  adjacent  islands.     The  tail  is  carried  low  in 
wild  birds  ;  it  is  only  in  domestic  fowls  that  it  is  raised  above  the  back. 

During  the  moult  in  June,  when  the  long  tail-  and  flight-feathers  are 
shed,   the   hackles   arc   replaced  by    short    featliera  like    those  of  the 


2i  ItlHI)   flAI.LI-KV. 

female.  A  second  moult  takes  place  in  September,  wben  the  short 
feathers  of  the  neck  are  cast,  and  again  replaced  by  hackles,  the  wing- 
and  long  tail-feathers  having  by  this  time  been  renewed.  This  tempo- 
rary plumage  is  doubtless  proteetivej  and  parallel  cases  may  be  seen  in 
the  Black  Grouse  and  in  many  of  the  Ducks. 

It  is  from  the  Red  Jungle-Fowl  [G.  rjul/ns)  (89)  that  all  the  domestic 
breeds  of  poultry  are  said  to  have  been  originally  derived,  and  remark- 
able examples  of  these  varieties  may  be  seen  in  the  Central  Hall  of  the 
j\luseum.  One  of  the  most  singular  comes  from  Ja])an,  and  has  extra- 
ordinarily elongate  tail-covcrts,  said  in  some  cases  to  attain  a  length  of 
more  than  12  feet.  It  is  well  known  that  the  descendants  of  domestic 
fowls  which  have  been  allowed  to  escape  and  run  wild  in  some  of  the 
islands  of  the  Malay  Archipelago  soon  revert  to  the  wild  type,  and  after 
a  few  generations  become  indistinguishable  from  the  Red  Jungle- 
Fowl  of  North  India.  In  Ceylon  a  different  species  (G.  lofayett})  (90) 
is  found,  the  breast-feathers  of  the  male  being  orange-red,  while  in  the 
female  they  are  white  margined  with  black. 

The  Golden  Pheasant  (91)  and  Lady  Amherst's  Pheasant  (92),  the 
only  I'epresentatives  of  the  genus  (7irijsolophiis,  are  natives  of  the 
mountains  of  Western  China  and  Eastern  Tibet.  The  splendid  plumage 
of  the  males  is  not  surpassed  by  that  of  any  other  bird  of  the  Pheasant 
tribe  ;  but  the  beautiful  white  cape  and  uudcrparts  and  quieter  colouring 
of  the  Lady  Amherst  are,  perhaps,  more  attractive  than  the  more  gaudy 
plumage  of  the  Golden  Pheasant. 
[Cases  The  true  Pheasants  {Phasiauus  and  Calop/insis)  are,  for  many  reasons, 
11'  ^-0  the  most  important  as  well  as  the  most  beautiful  of  all  the  Game-Birds. 
As  already  remarked,  they  are  peculiar  among  the  Pliashtniiue  in  having 
the  first  flight-feather  coiisiderablij  lonyer  than  the  tenih.  The  most 
familiar  examples  of  the  former  genus  arc  the  Common  Pheasant  and 
the  Chinese  Ring-necked  Pheasant  {Phaniamis  rulchicus  (95)  and 
P.  torquatns  (96)).  Both  of  these  have  been  introduced  into  the  greater 
part  of  Europe  and  Great  Britain.  It  is  not  exactly  known  when  the 
former,  which  is  found  wild  in  South-eastern  Europe  and  Asia  Minor,  was 
first  brought  to  England,  but  it  is  mentioned  in  the  bills-of-fare  of  the 
Saxon  kings.  The  Chinese  species,  imported  at  a  much  later  date,  has 
interbred  so  freely  with  the  Common  or  "  Old  English  "  Pheasant,  that 
pure-bred  birds  of  either  species  are  now  rarely  met  with  in  this  country. 

About  eighteen  different  species  of  Phasiuniis  are  found  in  Asia,  and 
of  these  the  majority  resemble  the  Connnon  Pheasant  type  in  the 
general  colour  of  their  plumage,  and  a  number  are  shewn  in  the  Case. 

The  Japanese  Pheasant  (P.  versicolor)  (97)  and  Soemmerring's 
Pheasant  (P.  smmmerringi)  (102),  found  in  the  same  islands,  are 
somewhat  diHercnt  types,  while  Reeves'  Pheasant  (  P.  reeresi)  (1 04) ,  from 


CAMK-BIKDS.  :,'.J 

Nortlicrii  aud  Western  China,  is  tlic  giant  of  tlic  genus,  anil  remarkable 
for  its  enormously  long  tail,  which  in  old  males  attains  a  length  of  5  feet 
or  even  more.  This  graud  game-bird  has  been  introduced  into  various 
parts  of  Great  Britain,  but  cannot  be  considered  a  snccesSj  for  the  males 
drive  off  the  Common  and  IJiug-necked  Plieasants  and  do  not  interbreed 
freely  with  the  females  of  either  species. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Pheasants  found  in  a  semi-domesticated 
state  in  this  country  arc  polygamous — that  is  to  say,  one  male  pairs 
with  many  females ;  but  there  is  good  reason  for  believing  that  this 
Jiabit  has  been  acquired.  All  the  evidence  tends  to  show  that  in  a 
really  wild  state  the  various  species  of  PhasiaiiuK  are  monogamous,  the 
cock  bird  remaining  with  the  female  during  the  period  of  incubation, 
and  taking  part  in  the  duties  of  protecting  and  rearing  the  young.  In 
this,  as  in  other  countries  where  Pheasants  are  reared  for  sport,  the 
greater  number  of  birds  killed  are  cocks,  and  hence  in  the  following 
spring  there  is  generally  a  preponderance  of  females,  wbieli  may  account 
for  the  polygamous  habits  of  introduced  birds. 

The  Barred-backed  Pheasants  [Cu/ophasis) ,  of  which  there  are  two 
species,  are  represented  by  Elliot's  Pheasant  (C  ellioti)  (105),  a  rare 
species  from  South-east  China.  The  male  is  a  particularly  handsome 
bird,  the  white  belly  and  bands  across  the  wings  contrasting  with  the 
fiery  bronze-red  of  the  rest  of  the  plumage. 

The  Cheer  Pheasant  (Cafrciis  iimllichi)  (106),  of  which  only  one 
species  is  known,  is  a  crested  form  peculiar  to  tlie  Himalaya  and 
extending  from  Chamba  to  Central  Nepal. 

The  Kalij  Pheasants  (Geniueiis) ,  of  w^hieh  the  Silver  Pheasant  (107) 
is  typical,  include  seven  well-marked  species  and  a  number  of  inter- 
mediate forms.  They  are  met  with  in  the  lower  and  middle  wooded 
ranges  of  the  Himalaya,  Burmali,  South  China,  and  Formosa. 

Considerable  interest  attaches  to  this  group  on  account  of  the  inter- 
mediate links  found  between  some  of  the  Burmo-Chinese  species. 

Of  the  Himalayan  Kalij  Pheasants  exhibited  the  White-crested  Kalij 
(108)  is  found  from  Hazara  to  Nepal,  where  the  Nepal  Kalij  (109)  takes 
its  place;  in  Sikhim  and  Western  Bhotan  the  Black-backed  Kalij  (110) 
occurs  ;  while  in  Eastern  Bhotan,  Assam,  and  Northern  Burmah  the 
Black-breasted  Kalij  (111)  is  the  only  species  found.  Though  these 
four  species  touch  in  their  ranges,  so  far  as  is  known  they  never  inter- 
grade  with  one  another.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Black-bellied  Kalij 
and  Silver  Pheasants  from  South  China  are  connected  by  a  complete 
chain  of  closely  allied  geographical  forms. 

Swinhoe's  Kalij  (112),  from  the  Island  of  Formosa,  is  a  somewhat 
distinct  form,  aud  the  male,  as  will  be  seen,  is  the  handsomest  of  all 
the  Kalij  Pheasants. 


'2G  niltl)  (iVLLERY. 

[Case  I-'!.]  The  Koklass  Plieasants  (Pucrusia)  include  lialf-a-dozen  species  found 
in  various  parts  of  the  Himalaya,  Tibet,  and  China.  The  males  have  a 
much  longer  crest  than  the  females,  and  the  i'eathei's  behind  the  ears 
arc  greatly  developed,  forming  two  long  tufts  surpassing  the  crest  in 
Iciigtii.  The  Common  KokLiss  Pheasant  (P.  nmcrohpha)  (113)  is 
eoninion  in  the  Western  Himalaya  from  Kumaon  to  Chamba,  and 
generally  found  singly  or  in  pairs.  Its  tlcsli  is  said  to  be  superior 
to  that  of  every  other  Hill-Pheasant. 

Tlic  Firc-backcd  Pheasants,  rc])rescnted  by  two  small  groups  each 
containing  tliree  species,  are  natives  of  the  dense  damp  evergreen 
forests  of  the  Indo-Malayan  countries,  Sumatra,  and  Borneo.  Of  the 
forms  without  a  crest  an  example  will  be  found  in  the  Bornean  Crest- 
less  Fireback  (Aconuis  p>/ronoli(s)  (114).  The  females  in  this  genus 
are  remarkable  for  their  entirely  black  plumage  and  from  the  fact 
that  their  legs  arc  ai'med  witli  a  pair  of  strong  spurs  as  perfectly 
developed  as    those  of  the  male. 

Two  examples  of  the  crested  form  are  exhibited,  the  Malayan 
Crested  Fire-back  [Loplmra  riifa)  (115)  and  Diard's  Fire-back 
[L.  diarcli)  (116),  both  remarkably  handsome  s})ecics.  The  males  are 
provided  with  a  pair  of  strong  spurs,  but  tiie  females  are  devoid  of 
these  weapons. 

The  great  Feared- Pheasants  [CrussoptUoii)  (]\1,  118)  arc  inhabitants 
of  the  high  wooded  mountains  of  Tibet  and  China,  ascending  to  a 
height  of  al)Out  12,(100  feet  above  sea-level.  They  are  sociable  in  their 
haljits,  and  during  tlie  autumn  and  winter  are  generally  met  with  in 
large  Hocks.  Like  the  Common  Pheasant,  they  pass  most  of  their  time 
on  the  ground  searching  for  seeds,  roots,  and  insects,  and  at  night 
roost  in  company  on  the  pine-trees.  The  legs  of  the  male  are  armed 
with  short  stout  spurs,  and,  unlike  the  majority  of  the  Pheasants,  the 
l)lumage  is  alike  in  both  sexes.  The  feathers  forming  the  ear-coverts 
arc  much  lengthened  and  pure  white  in  all  the  live  species  known. 

A  remarkable  Bornean  species  will  be  seen  in  Buhver's  Wattled 
Pheasant  [Lohiophasis  b/tlwcri)  (119).  The  male  has  the  head  almost 
devoid  of  feathers  and  ornamented  with  three  pairs  of  blue  wattles,  and 
the  beautiful  white  tail  is  composed  of  no  lc^s  than  o2  feathers,  by 
far  the  largest  number  found  in  any  Game-Bird.  The  female  has 
2S  tail-feathers,  or  two  pairs  less,  and  the  head  is  feathered  and  not 
ornamented  with  wattles.  This  species  has  only  been  met  with  in 
the  lower  mountain-forests  of  Sarawak,  and  it  is  essentially  a  ground 
bird,  and  seldom  seen  on  the  wing. 
[Case  14.]  Of  the  INIoonal  Pheasants  [Lopliophorus]  four  difl'ereut  species  are 
known,  all  being  natives  of  the  elevated  forests  of  the  Himalaya  or 
Western  China.      In   all,  the   pinmaijc  of  the  males  is  magniticcnt,  but 


GAJIE-niliDS.  4i 

that  of  the  Common  ]\[ooiial  {L.  rcfiil[iciis)  (120:  is  pcrliaps  the  hand- 
somest. This  species  is  found  throughout  the  hisihcr  wooded  ranges  of 
tlic  Himalaya,  whence  enormons  numbers  of  skins  arc  yearly  im[)orte(l 
to  this  country  for  the  adornment  of  ladies'  liat-. 

Tlic  S[)lciidid  Horned  Pheasants  [Tnn/opati),  commonly  tliough 
incorrectly  called  "  Argus  "  Pheasants  by  Indian  sportsmen,  arc  repn'- 
scutcd  by  five  dift'erent  species,  which  iidiabit  the  higher  forest- clad 
ranges  of  the  Himalaya  and  China.  The  chief  characteristics  of  the 
males  are  the  fleshy  horns  and  the  gular  lappet,  which  are  conspicuous 
ornaments  during  the  breeding-season,  especially  when  the  birds  are 
excited  by  passion,  but  barely  traceable  during  the  winter. 

The  Crimson  and  M'estern  Horned  Pheasants  (7".  .snfi/ru  (121)  and 
T.  iiH'lanocrphahis  (123)),  are  two  of  the  handsomest  species  met  with 
in  the  Himalaya.  Though  both  inhalnt  the  thick  cover  of  the  higher 
liills  they  are  rarely,  if  ever,  seen  amongst  the  snow,  and  appear  to 
shun  it  as  much  as  the  Blood-Pheasant  delights  in  it. 

The  Blood-Pheasants  {It/iai/e/u-x)  arc  very  handsome  Alpine  Ijirds 
met  with  in  the  higher  regions  of  the  Himalaya,  Tibet,  and  AVcsteni 
China.  The  males  are  remarkable  for  the  pale  green  colour  of  parts 
of  their  phnnage,  and  for  the  number  of  spurs  on  their  legs,  some 
individuals  having  as  many  as  four  pairs.  'J'he  species  exhibited 
(/.  cri/cHtiis)  (124)  is  met  with  in  flocks  in  the  higher  forests  of  the 
Ijastern  Himalaya,  at  elevations  varying  from  10,000  to  M,()0()  feet, 
and  always  iu  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the  snow. 

Among  the  Partridge-like  birds  with  the  Pheasant-type  of  wing  are 
the  Stone-Pheasants  (P(i/oj/ac/ii/s)  (125),  represented  by  two  African 
species  found  in  rocky  ground  in  the  neighbourhood  of  cliffs  and  preci- 
pices; the  Bamboo-Pheasants  (ZJawii««Jco/«),  with  three  species,  found 
respectively  in  North-cast  India,  Southci'u  China,  and  Formosa;  and 
the  Spur- Fowl  (Gallojierdix),  with  two  Indian  and  one  Ceylouese 
species. 

The  Chinese  Bamboo-Pheasant  [B.  tlioradca)  (126)  is  a  very  handsome 
bird,  resembling  the  Common  Partridge  in  the  general  colour  of  its 
plumage,  which  is  alike  in  both  sexes.  It  iuhal)its  the  jnngle-c'.ad  hills, 
roosting  and  often  perching  on  the  branches  of  bamboos  and  other 
trees,  where  it  is  perfectly  at  home. 

Of  the  Indian  Galloperdi.c  an  example  will  be  found  in  the  Painted 
Spur- Fowl  (G.  luHulata)  (127).  As  may  be  seen,  the  male  and  female 
differ  iu  plumage,  and  the  legs  of  the  former  are  armed  with  two  and 
sometimes  three  pairs  of  s])nrs,  while  those  of  the  latter  have  usually 
only  one  pair.  Like  the  15amboo-Phcasant>,  they  are  birds  of  the 
forest  and  jungle. 


28 


mill)  i:Ai.i.i:itY. 


Subfamil}'  III.   Prn/ifhue.     Partridge-like  Gamc-liirds. 

As  already-  mentioned,  tliis  subfamily  includes  the  01d-\\'orld 
Partridges  and  Quails,  wliich  may  be  distinguished  by  the  following 
characters  : — Tlie  cutting-edge  of  the  lower  mandible  is  not  serrated 
or  provided  with  a  tooth-like  process.  The  first  flight-feather  is 
longer  than  or  equal  to  the  tenth.  In  one  or  two  of  the  species  of 
Francolin  it  is  slightly  shorter,  but  these  may  at  once  be  i-ccogiiised  as 
belonging  to  the  Perdicbue  by  their  short  tails. 

The  most  perfect  type  of  Partridge-wing  is  found  in  such  forms  as  the 
Snow  Partridge  {Lertva)  and  the  Quails  [CottirnLr.  Si/7ia>CHS,  and 
E.vca/f actor/a),  in  which  the  first  flight-feather  is  equal  to  or  very 
slightly  shorter  than  the  second,  and  the  tenth  is  much  the  shortest. 
These,  as  might  be  expected,  are  all  birds  with  great  powers  of  flight. 
[('use  1").]       Four  dift'erent  species  of  Partridge  (Perdi.r)  (129-132)  are  known. 

As  considerable  interest  attaches  to  the  sexual  differences  in  plumage 
of  the  Common  Partridge  (P.  jicrdir)  (129),  wings  of  the  male  and 
female  have  been  exhibited  to  show  the  only  reliable  character  for 
distinguishing  the  sexes  except  in  very  young  birds.  It  will  be  seen 
that  the  lesser  and  median  wiiig-eoverts  of  the  male  are  without  the  bufi' 
cross-bars  so  conspicuous  on  the  feathers  of  the  female.  Young  birds — 
that  is  to  say  birds  of  the  year,  whether  male  or  female — may  always  be 
distinguished  from  old  birds  by  having  the  first  fW^ht-fcathev  /jointed  at 
the  tip  instead  of  rounded.  The  pointed  first  flight-feather,  being  re- 
tained till  the  following  autumn  moult,  is  a  better  character  for  denoting 
age  than  the  colour  of  the  feet.  In  the  earlier  part  of  the  season  the 
feet  of  young  birds  are  yellowish-brown,  but  at  the  commencement  of 
the  hard  weather  they  become  pale  bluish-grey  like  those  of  the  adult. 

A  curious  rufous  variety  of  the  Common  Partridge  was  described  by 
Brissou  in  17G0,  under  the  name  Perdix  niovtana  (130).  That  it  is 
merely  a  strongly  marked  variety  is  clearly  shown  by  the  forms 
exhibited,  which  show  the  intermediate  stages  between  the  most  typical 
rufous  bird  and  the  normal  plumage.  This  chestnut  phase  of  plumage, 
which  occurs  in  birds  of  either  sex,  was  first  recorded  from  the  moun- 
tains of  Lorraine,  where  it  appears  to  be  fairly  numerous.  Since 
that  date  similar  examples  have  been  procured  from  time  to  time  in 
various  counties  of  England,  notably  in  Noi'thumberland,  where  the 
rufous  birds  were  supposed  by  some  to  be  hybrids  between  the  Red 
Grouse  and  Common  Partridge. 
[Case  15.]  The  Indian  Bush-Quails  {Perdieula)  (133)  and  Painted  Bush-Quails 
(Mtcraperdix)  (134)  together  include  only  five  small  species  peculiar  to 
India.  They  differ  from  the  true  Quails  in  the  shape  of  tlie  wing,  tiie 
first  flight-feather  being  comparatively  short. 


(JA.ML-ISIKDS.  2'J 

111  tlie  Quails  [Coltti-iikc)  (135-137),  of  which  seven  ditiereut  kinds  are  .Case  IS.] 
known,  we  find  the  most  highly-de\  eloped  type  of  Pavtridge-wingv,  the 
first  tiight -feather  being  slightly  shorter  or  equal  in  length  to  the 
second  (see  wing  exhibited).  All  the  species  are  more  or  less  migratory, 
their  movements  being  regulated  by  the  changes  of  season,  hut  tin- 
(Common  Quail  (C.  cot  ((mix)  (135)  is  by  far  the  greatest  wanderer  of 
all.  Though  small  numbers  of  this  bird  arc  resident  and  remain 
throughout  the  year  in  suitable  localities,  the  majority  travel  thousands 
of  miles  every  year,  countless  numbers  going  northwards  in  spring  to 
breed,  and  returning  south  to  their  winter  quarters  in  the  autumn. 
The  Black-breasted  or  Rain-Quail  (C.  coroinandeIk(()  (137)  is  peculiar 
to  India  and  the  countries  to  the  east  of  the  Bay  of  Bengal,  migrating 
during  the  monsoon  (rainy  season)  from  the  damp  low-lying  districts  to 
the  drier  parts  of  Upper  and  Western  India.  The  closely  allied  New 
Zealand  Quail  [C.  noiuc  zealandice),  though  a  coninion  bird  in  the  early 
days  of  the  Colony,  is  now  doubtless  ([uite  extinct.  A  skin  of  this  bird, 
and  that  a  female,  recently  sold  for  ,t;75. 

The  Swamp-Quails  {Synoecus)  (138,  139)  are  very  closely  allied  to  the    X'iise  15.] 
Common  Quail   and   its   allies.       \'au   Kaalteu's   Swamp-Quail    (139) 
inhabits  the  islands   of  Timor  and  Florcs,  and  is  the  handsomest  of 
the  three  species  know  u. 

The  smallest  of  all  the  Game-Birds  are  the  Painted  Quails  {Exc((l- 
fuctoriit)  (149,  141).  Only  four  tiny  forms  are  known,  the  males 
having  the  plumage  very  beautifully  coloured.  As  in  the  other  Quails, 
the  first  and  second  (luill-feathers  are  the  longest,  and  the  flight  is 
extremely  rapid.  These  little  birds  are  remarkable  in  possessing  only 
eight  very  short  tail-feathers,  or  two  less  than  any  other  bird  of  the 
group.  The  common  Painted  Quail  (140)  is  plentiful  enough  through- 
out the  Indo-Chinese  countries,  being  chiefly  found  in  open,  swampy 
grass-lauds  and  meadows.  Of  recent  years  it  has  frequently  been  kei)t 
ill  coufiuemeut  in  this  country  and  breeds  freely  ;  the  young  when  about 
a  week  old  and  scarcely  larger  than  walnuts,  are  able  to  Hy,  and 
when  about  six  weeks  old  they  are  scarcely  distinguishable  in  plumage 
from  Liieir  parents. 

In  the  Crested  Wood-Partridge  {Rolliil((s)  (142),  of  w^hieli  only  one  rCase  lo.] 
species  is  known,  the  male  has  a  beautiful  hairy  crest,  and  both  sexes 
possess  a  tuft  of  long  hair-like  bristles  on  the  forehead.  The  grass- 
green  plumage  of  the  female  is  very  remarkable,  this  colour  being 
almost  unknown  among  Game-Birds,  and  only  found  elsewhere  iu  the 
Blood  Pheasants  {Khar/enes). 

The  Tree-Partridges  [Arborkohi]  (143,  144),  of  which  fifteen  species  iCa.-..,-  1.5.] 
are  known,  inhabit  the  Indo-Chinese  and   Indo-Malayan  countries  and 
some  of  the  adjacent  islands.     All  the  birds  of  this  genus  are  iieculiar 


30  lilKD  (i.\I.Li;i(V. 

ill  possessing  a  scries  of  small  bones  above  the  eye,  known  as  t!ie 
supra-orbital  chain  (see  skull).  The  toes  are  provided  with  peculiar 
long,  nearly  straight  nails.  With  the  exception  of  the  Comiuon  Tree- 
Partridge  (A.  torqiieolu)  (143)  here  exhibited,  the  plumage  is  alike  in 
both  males  and  females.  All  are  inhabitants  of  the  thick  jungle 
covering  the  higher  hills,  the  common  species  occasionally  ranging 
in  tiie  (filter  Himalaya  to  an  elevation  of  14,000  feet  above  sea-level. 
As  their  name  implies,  these  birds  are  given  to  perching  on  trees, 
especially  on  the  approach  of  danger,  but  for  the  most  part  they  live 
on  the  ground,  running  actively  to  and  fro  in  search  of  insects  and 
vegetable  food.    The  eggs  are  pure  white,  with  a  fine,  rather  gloss;- shell. 

[Case  I"i.  Tiie  Crimson-headed  Wood-Partridge  [Ha'inutortyx)  (145)  is  a  beau- 
tiful form  inhabiting  the  mountain-forests  and  jungles  of  North  Borneo. 
The  legs  of  the  male  are  armed  with  two  or  three  pairs  of  spurs. 
Other  Malayan  genera  are  the  Ferruginous  Wood-Partridge  {Calo- 
jjerdi^v)  (H6)  and  the  Black  Wood-Partridge  (Melanoperdic)  (147).  a 
peciiliai-  type  worthy  of  s[)ceial  notice  on  account  of  its  unusually  stout 
and  thick  bill. 

[Case  IH.l  The  lled-legged  Partridges  [Cuccabis)  (148-151)  form  a  small  group 
the  members  of  which  may  be  recognised  by  the  brownish-grey  tint  of 
their  upper  plumage  and  bold  handsome  barring  on  the  sides.  The  males 
and  females  do  not  ditfer  from  one  another  in  plumage,  but  the  former 
may  be  recognised  by  the  stout  blunt  spurs  on  the  legs.  Of  tlie  six 
forms  known,  four  are  exhibited,  including  the  black-headed  Arabian 
species,  the  largest  member  of  the  genus  (151),  the  Common  Ked-legged 
(149)  and  Barbary  Partridges  (160),  which  are  the  handsomest. 

As  will  be  seen  on  the  small  map  showing  its  distribution,  the  Chukar 
(C.  chukar)  (148),  so  well  known  to  sportsmen,  has  a  very  wide  range. 
It  varies  immensely  in  size  and  colour  in  different  localities,  which  is  to 
be  expected  in  a  bird  that  may  be  found  from  sea-level  to  an  elevation 
of  at  least  16,000  feet.  The  palest  forms  are  found  in  such  arid  neigh- 
bourhoods as  Bushire  at  the  head  of  the  Persian  Gulf,  while  the  darkest 
and  most  richly-coloured  birds  here  exhibited  inhabit  the  Ionian 
Islands,  Cyprus,  Asia  Minor,  and  the  outer  ranges  of  the  Himalaya  where 
vegetation  is  more  plentiful. 

[Case  16.1  In  the  closely  allied  Seesee  Partridges  {Aintaoperdix)  (152),  the  sexes 
differ  fi-om  one  another  in  plumage.  They  inhabit  bare  broken  ground 
and  desolate  hill-sides,  where  their  colours  harmonise  with  their 
surroundings  and  afford  them  protection. 

[Case  16.]  The  Franeoliiis  [Francolinus]  (153-162)  are  a  very  numerous  group 
including  nearly  fifty  different  species,  five  of  which  are  Asiatic  and  the 
icmainder  African.  With  the  exception  of  the  Painted  Francoliu 
(  /■'.  pictiis)  (154),  llic  legs  of  the  males  and,  in  some  species  of  the  females 


^1 


(;a\ii:-]!1ki)s.  .'51 

also,  are  armed  \Mtli  one  or  more  pairs  of  spurs.  Of  the  species  here 
exhibited  tlie  Common  Fraiieoliu  (153),  formerly  met  with  in  Southern 
Europe,  but  now  extinet,  is  tlic  most  familial',  and  known  to  Indian 
sportsmen  as  the  Kala  titur  or  Black' Partridge.  Another  species,  only 
found  iu  tlie  Terai  of  North  India,  is  the  Swarap-Francoliu  or  Kyah 
(158).  Levaillant's  Fraueolin  (156),  witli  its  chestnut  flight-featliers, 
belongs  to  the  group  known  as  "  Redwings  "  in  South  Africa ;  while  tlic 
Double-spurred  Fraueolin  (160)  from  West  Africa  represents  a  somewhat 
different  section  of  the  genus.  Ilddebraudt's  Fraueolin  (159)  is  specially 
interesting,  for  the  female  not  only  differs  entirely  from  the  male  in  the 
colour  of  the  underparts,  but  has  the  legs  armed  with  one  or  two  pairs 
of  strong  spurs,  and  was  for  some  time  regarded  as  representing  a  distinct 
species. 

The  Cape  Francolin  (161)  and  Erckel's  Fraueolin  (162)  ai-e  among 
the  largest  known  species,  the  former  being  well-known  in  South  Africa 
as  the  "  Cape  Pheasant."  A  closely  allied  African  genus  PleiJtistes 
includes  nine  species  of  bare-tiiroated  Francolins,  and  an  example  of 
these  will  be  found  in  Gray's  Bare-throated  Francolin  [P.  h'luosd'pKx) 
(163). 

The  Snow-Partridge  {Lerwa)  (164),  the  sole  representative  of  its  [Case  16.] 
genus,  is  an  aljiine  form  generally  met  with  at  elevations  ranging  from 
10,000  to  15,000  feet  above  the  sea-level.  As  indicated  by  the  shape 
of  the  wing,  the  Suow  Partridge  is  a  bird  of  rapid  and  powerful  flight,  but, 
unlike  the  Quails,  it  does  not  appear  to  be  migratory,  merely  shifting- 
its  quarters  to  lower  elevations  when  driven  down  by  severe  snowstorms. 
The  large  Snow-Cocks  [Tetraogallns)  (165,  166).  of  which  six  species 
are  known,  are  also  Alpine  birds,  very  similar  iu  their  habits  and  mode 
of  life  to  the  Snow-Partridges, but  found  at  even  greater  elevations,  the 
Tibetan  Snow-Cock  here  exhibited  being  met  with  up  to  19,000  feet  above 
sea-level. 

The  handsome  Long-billed  Francolin  (Rhizotheru)  (167),  of  which  [Case  10.] 
only  oue  other  Bornean  species  is  at  present  known,  is  distinguished 
from  its  allies  the  Francolins  by  the  long  stout  curved  bill  and  by  having 
only  twelve  tail-feathers,  all  the  latter  possessing  fourteen.  As  will  be 
seen,  the  male  and  i'emale  of  this  curious  Malayan  form  differ  con- 
siderably in  plumage. 


Family  II.  Tetraoxid.e.     Gkouse. 

The  members  of  this  family  are  distinguished  from  the  Phasianid;e       rCases 
(Pheasants,       Partridges      and       Quails)      by       several       distinctive     ''     '-' 
characters.     The  nostrils   ai'e  entirely  hidden  by  leathers.     The  legs 
arc    either    partially    feathered    as    iu    the    Hazel-hens    and   Ruffed 


32  lilUI)  CALLEKV. 

Grouse,  or  entirely  featliered  as  in  the  Capercaillies  and  Black  Grouse, 
etc.,  and  never  armed  with  spurs.  The  toes  are  either  covered  -nith 
feathers  as  in  the  Ptarmigan,  or  naked  and  pectinate,  that  is  to  sav  with 
a  series  of  horny  comb-like  processes  on  each  side,  as  in  the  Capercaillies, 
Black  Grouse,  etc. 

lu  no  group  of  birds  are  the  seasonal  changes  of  plumage  more 
interesting  and  peculiar  than  in  the  Willon'-Grouse,  Red  Grouse,  and 
the  various  kinds  of  Ptarmigan,  and  therefore  worthy  of  special  notice. 
The  seasonal  changes  arc  attained  in  three  different  ways  : — (1)  By 
moult.  (2)  By  gradual  change  of  pattern  in  the  old  feathers  without 
a  moult.  (3)  By  the  wearing  off  of  the  tips  of  the  feathers.  The  quills 
and  tail-feathers  are  only  renewed  once  a  year  at  the  general  autumn 
moult,  which  is  always  the  most  comjolete. 

Wild  hybrids  between  some  of  the  species  of  this  family  tippcar  to  Ije 
more  common  than  among  any  other  group  of  birds,  possibly  because 
they  attract  greater  attention.  In  many  Grouse  the  females  which  have 
Ijccome  Ijarrcu  from  old  age  or  from  injury  to  the  ovary  assume  a 
plumage  more  or  less  resembling  that  of  the  male,  and  examples  of  this 
peculiarity  are  exhibited  in  the  groups  of  Capercaillie  and  Black  Grouse, 
ilore  rarely  the  reverse  obtains,  and  examples  of  males  assuming  the 
female  plumage  are  met  with. 

[Case  17.";  The  Capercaillies  [Tetruo),  of  which  four  European  and  Asiatic  species 
are  known,  are  tlie  largest  members  of  the  family.  The  common  Caper- 
caillie [T.  uroyullus)  (169),  inhabiting  the  pine  forests  of  Europe  and 
Northern  and  Central  Asia,  is  common  in  some  of  the  Eastern  Counties 
of  Seothiud.  Hybrids  between  this  species  and  the  Black  Grouse  (170) 
are  by  no  means  rare,  the  male  ott's])ring.  of  which  a  fine  example  is 
shown,  being  remarkably  handsome  birds  with  a  violet  gloss  ou  the  breast. 

[C'ai=e  17. j  In  the  American  bare-toed  Grouse  belonging  to  the  genera  Dendra- 
l/apus  (171),  Tijiiijiaiiiichas  (]13},  Ceiitrocercit.s  (174),  and  Pedicecetes 
(175,  176),  of  all  of  which  exami)les  are  exhibited,  the  males  arc  provided 
uith  a  pair  of  inflatable  air-sacs  situated  one  on  each  side  of  the  neck. 
These  are  not  visible  except  when  the  bird  is  excited  or  showing  off  to 
the  females,  but  at  such  times  they  can  be  blown  out  like  a  bladder  and 
enable  him  to  produce  deep  booming  sounds  which  may  be  heard  at  a 
great  distance.  The  stomach  of  the  Sage-Grouse  [Centrucercus 
urophasia litis)  (174),  a  native  of  the  sage-brush  plains  of  AVcstcrn  North 
America,  differs  from  that  of  all  other  game-birds  in  being  soft  and 
membranous,  very  different  from  the  muscular  gizzard  found  in  all  the 
allied  forms.  As  its  name  implies,  this  species  is  seldom  found  far 
from  the  tracts  of  Sage-brush  [Artendsta),  the  leaves  of  which  form  its 
principal  food,  and  during  tlie  winter  months,  when  it  eats  little  else,  its 
flesh  is  unfit  for  the  table.     The  Prairie-Hcn  (  ryinpanuclniif  umericunus) 


GAMK-BIRDS  33 

(173),  from  the  [Ji'airies  of  the  United  States,  reuuukable  for  the  long 
tuft  of  feathers  on  each  side  of  the  neck  in  the  male,  and  the  Sliarp-tailcd 
(h-ouse  (Ped/feccfi's jj/iii>iiti/iel/iis)  (Mb),  from  the  wooded  districts  and 
tundras  tliat  border  the  British  North-American  lakes,  are  both  well 
known  American  game-birds,  and  occasionally  forwarded  in  a  fi'ozen  state 
to  the  London  market.  Another  handsome  iSIorth-American  species  is 
the  Ruffed  (jrouse  (Boiiaaa  (imheUus)  (177),  with  a  frilled  rutHe  of 
fan-shaped  feathers  on  each  side  of  tlie  neck.  Closely  allied  we  have 
the  Hazel-hens  {Tetrastes),  of  wliicli  two  or  perhaps  three  species  are 
known  from  Europe  and  Northern  and  Central  Asia.  The  common 
Hazel-hen  or  (ielinotte  {T.  /yow«s/V/)  ( 178).  which  inhabits  the  lower 
pine-forests  and  birch-woods  of  the  mountainous  districts  of  Europe  and 
North  and  Central  Asia,  is  greatly  esteemed  as  an  article  of  food,  its 
flesh  being  wliite  and  delicate,  and  large  numbers  are  frozen  and  imported 
from  Scandinavia  and  Russia  to  the  London  market.  Other  well-known 
North  .Vmeriean  genera  are  the  American  Capercaillies  or  Dusky 
(4rouse  (Dendrugupus)  (171)  and  the  Canadian  Grouse  (Canachites) 
( 172 ),  found  in  the  dense  thickets  an:l  evergreen  woods  of  the  middle 
and  higher  mountain-ranges. 

Tiie  two  species  of  Black  (li'ousc  exhibited  are  the  only  known  [Casf  Im.] 
members  of  the  genus  Lijn/nis.  Though  evidently  closely  allied,  a 
leniarkable  difference  is  presented  in  their  life-history.  In  the  male  of 
the  common  Black  Grouse  (L.  tetrix)  (179)  the  young  bird  attains  the 
black  plumage  of  the  adult  more  or  less  perfectly  at  the  first  autumn 
moult,  only  a  few  of  the  feathers  of  the  back  retaining  a  mottled  Ijrown 
appearance.  The  young  male  of  the  Caucasian  Black  Grouse 
(L.  iiilokosletriczi)  (180)  assumes  a  barred  plumage  at  the  first  autumn 
moult,  most  nearly  resembling  tliat  of  the  adult  female,  and  this  is 
retained  till  the  second  moult  or  possibly  longer,  the  young  male 
exhibited  having  been  shot  on  the  14th  of  May. 

During  the  heavy  autumn  moult,  which  takes  place  in  July  and 
August,  the  old  males  of  the  common  Black  Grouse,  commonly  called 
Black  Cock,  arc  entirely  devoid  of  tails  and  generally  incapable  of  flying 
more  than  a  few  yards  at  most.  At  this  season  a  temporary  jilumage  like 
that  of  the  female  (Grey  Hen)  clothes  the  head  and  neck,  and  the  throat 
becomes  more  or  less  white.  This  intermediate  plumage  is  no  doubt  pro- 
tective, for  the  black  head  and  neck  of  the  male  are  conspicuous  objects, 
wliile  the  rufous-buff  feathers  with  their  black  bars  and  marks  harmonise 
perfectly  with  the  surrounding  objects  and  enable  the  defenceless  birds  to 
escape  observation.  The  barred  feathers  of  the  head  and  neck  arc  not 
cast  and  replaced  by  black  till  the  rest  of  the  filuraage  has  been  renewed, 
and  the  bird  is  once  more  able  to  fly. 

Interesting  wild    hybrids  between    Black  Grouse  and   Red   Grouse 


■ii  lilRD   GALLERY. 

(186)  and  Black  Grouse  and  Willow-Grouse  (182)  arc  exliibited,  these 
being  mucli  rarer  tlian  the  hybrid  with  the  Capercailzie. 
•C:is,.  ]8.|  111  the  circumpolar  Willow-Grouse  {L.  layopus)  (188)  and  Ptarmigan 
{L.  nuitiis  etc.)  (181-183)  there  are  three  distinct  changes  of  ]iluniagc 
in  summer^  autumn,  and  winter  in  Ijoth  male  and  female  alike,  the 
winter  plumage  being  white  in  all. 

The  great  peculiarity  of  the  Kcd  Grouse  (L.  scoficiia)  (185),  and  one 
■without  parallel  among  birds  even  of  this  genus,  lies  in  the  fact  that 
the  changes  of  plumage  in  the  male  and  female  occur  at  ditl'erent 
seasons. 

The  male  has  no  distinct  summer  (nesting)  plumage,  but  has  distinct 
autumn  and  winter  plumages,  retaining  the  latter  tiiroughout  the 
breeding  season. 

The  female  has  a  distinct  summer  (nesting)  plumage,  also  a  distinct 
autumn  plumage  which  is  retained  till  the  following  spring. 

To  put  it  more  concisely,  both  male  and  female  have  two  distinct  moults 
during  the  year,  but  in  the  male  they  occur  in  autumn  and  winter,  and 
in  the  female  in  summer  and  autumn,  the  former  having  no  distinct 
summer  and  the  latter  no  distinct  winter  plumage. 

The  Red  Grouse  is  generally  regarded  as  merely  an  insular  form  of 
the  Willow-Grouse,  and  it  might  naturally  be  supposed  that  as  the 
British  species  does  not  turn  white  in  winter,  such  protective  plumage 
being  unnecessary  in  the  localities  it  inhabits,  the  winter  moult  had  been 
gradually  dropped.  But  as  already  shown,  this  is  the  case  with  the 
female  only,  and  the  male,  for  some  unknown  reason,  changes  the  newly 
acquired  buff  and  black  autumn  plumage  for  a  wiuter  garb  of  chestnut 
and  black,  which  is  retained  till  the  following  autumn. 


Order  II.  PTEROCLETIFORMES. 

Family  PteroclidjE.     Sand-Grouse. 
TaWe-       This  small  order  includes  only  sixteen  species,  intermediate  in  their 


casu.  J 


afiflnitics  between  the  Pigeons  and  Game-Birds.  The  skeleton  resembles 
that  of  the  Pigeons  in  many  important  points,  but  the  digestive  organs 
are  like  those  of  the  Game-Birds.  The  bill  is  very  similar  iu  shape  to 
the  latter,  but  not  so  strongly  developed,  while  in  the  outwai'd  ex- 
pression, general  shape  of  the  body,  the  soft  and  easily  detached 
plumage,  and  the  long  pointed  wings,  we  find  a  marked  resemblance  to 
the  Pigeons.  The  feathers  of  the  body  are  pio\ided  with  a  well- 
developed  aftershaft.  As  might  be  expected  from  the  shape  of  the 
wings  and  the  great  development  of  the  pectoral  muscles  which  work 
them,  all  the  Sand-Grouse  are  birds  with  immense  powers  of  flight,  able 


•  SAND-GROUSi;.  33 

to  traverse  groat  distaiiocs  in  a  remarkal)ly  sLort  space  of  time.  The 
majority  are  migratory,  some  of  tliein  wandering  thousamls  of  miles. 
As  tlieir  name  implies,  tlicy  are  for  tlie  most  part  inhabitants  of  the 
sandy  deserts,  where  water  is  generally  scarce  and  in  the  dry  season 
only  to  be  met  with  at  long  intervals.  Sand-Clrousc  cannot  exist 
witlKjut  water,  and  drink  regularly  in  the  early  morning  and  at  evening, 
when  they  visit  the  neaiest  pool  in  countless  numljers,  their  powerful 
wings  rendering  distance  no  obstacle.  The  legs  and  toes,  which  are 
remarkably  short,  seem  ill-adapted  foi-  walking,  but  tlie  birds  are 
perfectly  at  home  on  the  ground,  and  can  ran  much  more  easily  and 
rapidly  than  might  be  supposed. 

No  nest  is  made,  merely  a  slight  hollow  is  scratched  in  the  ground. 
Tlie  eggs  are  nearly  perfect  ovals,  double- spotted  (very  similar  to  those 
of  the  common  Land-rail),  and  almost  invariably  three  in  number.  The 
young,  which  are  able  to  run  soon  after  they  are  hatched,  are  covered 
with  beautifully-patterned  down,  but  ijuite  different  from  the  fluffy 
down  of  young  (iame-Birds,  each  plume  of  the  body  being  distinct  and 
almost  scale-like  in  appearance.  All  the  species  are  incliulcd  in  one 
family  and  are  well  i-epresented  in  the  Table-case  (192-198). 

Great  interest  attaches  to  Pallas's  Three-toed  Sand-Grouse  [Syr- 
rhaptcs  paradoxus)  (192),  on  account  of  its  irregular  migrations  into 
Western  Europe.  Its  true  home,  as  may  be  seen  on  the  map  showing 
its  distribution,  is  the  Kirghiz  Steppes  and  Central  Asia,  but  for  some 
unknown  cause  great  numljers  periodically  visit  ]']nrope  in  the  early 
summer,  even  penetrating  to  Great  Britain  and  other  islands  off  the 
western  coasts.  The  first  great  visitation  took  jjlace  in  18G3,  and  :igain 
in  1888  enormous  numbers  spread  themselves  over  Europe  and  bred  in 
various  places,  both  eggs  and  young  having  been  obtained.  In  other 
years  smaller  flocks  have  been  observed,  but  the  species  has  never 
succeeded  in  establishing  itself  permanently  in  Western  Europe. 


Order  III.  TURNICIFORMES. 

Family  Turnicid^.     He.mipodes. 

The  Hemipodes  or  Bustard-Quails  [Turnicuhe)  form  a  family  by  [Tablc- 
themselves.  They  are  small  birds  resembling  Quails,  but  distinguished  '^''*'^" 
externally  by  the  absence  of  a  hind-toe,  except  in  the  .\ustralian  genus 
Pedionomus  (204),  and  internally  by  many  structural  characters  of 
importance.  The  female  is  always  larger  and  more  handsomely 
marked  than  the  male,  who  undertakes  the  duty  of  hatching  the 
eggs  and  caring  for  the  young.  The  latter  are  covered  with  patterned 
down,    like    young   wading    birds,    and    are    able    to    run    soon    after 

n  :j 


36 


UIKD   GALLKRV. 


they  arc  luitclicd.  The  eggs*,  three  to  five  iu  uumbei',  are  double- 
spottefl  with  dark  purplish-hrowii  aud  lilac,  and  laid  iu  a  slight 
hollow  iu  the  ground  lined  with  dry  grass.  Hemipodes  are  entirely 
birds  of  tlie  Old  World,  aud  are  distributed  over  Africa,  Madagascar, 
India,  and  China,  and  extend  thi'oughout  the  Malayan  Archipelago  to 
Australia. 

The  Aiulahisian  liemipodc  {Titrn'Lr  sijlvutica)  1,199)  inhabits  Southern 
Europe  and  North  Africa,  aud  is  said  to  have  been  met  with  on  three 
occasions  in  the  South  of  Eugland.  Like  the  rest  of  its  allies,  it  is 
solitary  iu  its  habits,  frequcniiug  dry  grassy  plains  and  localities  covered 
Mith  low  trees  aud  dense  bushes,  where  it  is  ditticult  to  flush,  aud 
generally  escapes  from  danger  liy  running. 


\^  'uses 
li)  &•  JO.  1 


Order  IV.  COLUMlilFORMES.     Pioeon-tribe.       ■ 

The  birds  of  this  large  order  possess  so  characteristic  a  physiognomy 
that  they  nuiy  i)c  easily  recognised  at  the  first  glance.  The  bill  is 
rather  slender  aud  weak,  covered  at  the  base  with  a  soft,  more  or  less 
swollen  membrane,  in  which  the  nostrils  are  situated.  Some  portion  of 
the  plumage  has  almost  always  a  metallic  gloss,  and  many  of  the  exotic 
species  are  gorgeously  coloured.  The  legs  and  toes  in  the  typical  Pigeon 
are  short  and  not  adapted  for  scratching  up  the  ground  like  those  of  the 
(iame-Birds,  and  the  legs  arc  never  armed  with  spurs. 

All  the  species  are  niouoganious,  and  both  sexes  assist  iu  buildiug  the 
uest,  which  is  a  loosely  constructed  ci'adle  of  sticks.  The  eggs  are  pure 
white  and  usually  two  in  number,  tlnjugli  there  are  many  species  which 
lay  onl}'  one.  The  young  when  hatched  are  blind  aud  naked,  but  after 
a  little  time  become  clothed  with  hairy  down.  They  remain  in  the  uest 
for  many  days  and  arc  entirely  dependent  on  the  care  of  their  parents, 
who  at  first  feed  them  with  a  milky  Huid  secreted  by  the  crop  and 
afterwards  with  moistened  food. 

Pigeons  arc  found  all  over  the  world,  but  are  most  uumcrous  in  the 
Eastern  Hemisphere,  especially  in  the  islands  of  the  ludo-Pacific  Ocean 
and  in  Australia. 

About  450  species  are  kno«n,  and  are  valuable  to  uum  on  account  of 
the  excellent  quality  of  their  flesh. 

The  species  exhibited  bring  out  very  clearly  three  interesting- 
points : — the  evidence  of  adaptation  to  an  arboreal  or  ground-dwelling 
life,  th(^  great  contrast  in  size,  and  the  wonderful  range  and  variety  of 
coloration. 


PLATE    11. 


Fig.  I. 


Dodo   (Didm   hi,-ptiii\.      From  .'\  imctuhil  iiy  Koel.\i\u  Savlkv,   102 


Fig. 


Skeleton  and  foot  of  Dodo.     No.  205. 


piGi:().\s.  37 

Family  1.  Dididu.     Dodos.      (Plate  II.) 

Xo  more  strikiiii;-  illustration  of  adaptation  to  a  gromul-dwcllinu'  lilb  ITabl'- 
oan  be  found  tl.an  that  fnruislied  bv  the  Dodo  (205)  [PI.  11.1  and  its  uUv  ',f"-'"  ■''■'  . 
Die  Solitaire  (206 ),  both  long  since  extiuct.     liemains  of  these  now  ruses  I'.), 
famous  birds  -rrill  be  found  in  two  of  the  Table-eases  in  this  bay.     Botii   -"-J 
these  relatively  aiuantic Pigeons  wcie  tlitrlitless,  a  condition  iirobablv  ilue 
to  the  fact  that  they  lived  on  small  islands  uniuliabitcd  by  man  or  other 
enemies,  and  were  able  to  procure  food  in  abundance  without  resorting 
to  flight.     As  a  result  of  this  easy  life  tlie  body  gradually  acquired  a 
greatly  increased  l)ulk,  whilst  the  wings  gradually  decreased  in  size, 
till  flight  at  last  became  au  impossibility. 

Tlie  Solitaire  (Pe~opfiaps  so/ifar/us)  (206),  though  less  well-kuowu 
tlian  the  Dodo,  was  in  some  respects  more  remarkable,  for  the  wings 
of  the  males  were  armed  with  large  bony  knobs,  apparently  used  as 
weapons  of  oft'ence.  The  Dodo  {Didtiti  itiepiiis)  (205)  inhabited  the 
island  of  Mauritius  and  the  Solitaire  that  of  Rodriguez,  both  in  the 
Indian  Ocean.  When  these  islands  were  tirst  discovered  by  Europeans 
both  the  Dodo  and  Solitaire  existed  in  large  numbers,  but  being  unable 
to  protect  themselves  by  flight,  they  were  rapidly  killed  off  for  food  ; 
their  extermination  being  accelerated  by  the  introductinu  of  dogs,  cats, 
and  swine.  Probably  by  the  end  of  the  ITth  ceiituiy  nut  one  of  these 
birds  survived,  and  what  we  know  of  their  external  appearance  is  derived 
from  a  few  old  paintings  and  from  skeletons.  One  of  tiie  most 
interesting  paintings  is  exhibited  in  the  adjoining  Wall-case,  and  is  a 
portrait  from  life,  painted  in  Holland  by  Koclandt  Savery.  Tiiis  picture 
was  once  the  property  of  Sir  Hans  Sloane  and  given  by  him  to  George 
Edwardes,  F.R.S.,  who  presented  it  to  the  Hriiish  Museum  in  1759. 

Family  II.  Diduncvlid.t:.  Tooth-billed  Pigeon. 
Besides  the  two  extinct  types  just  mentioned,  there  are  many  other  [t'a^^^^  1'.).] 
species  of  Pigeons  which  have  taken  to  a  terrestrial  life,  and  are  hence 
known  as  Ground-Pigeons.  One  of  these  is  the  Tooth-billed  Pigeon 
[Dkluncidus  .strigirostris)  (207)  of  Samoa,  which  was  reported  to  be 
nearly  extinct  in  1863.  It  is  now,  however,  said  to  be  once  more 
increasing,  having  entirely  changed  its  habits  and  taken  to  an  arboreal 
life.  It  feeds  and  roosts  in  the  highest  trees,  and  whereas  it  formerly 
laid  its  single  egg  on  the  ground  like  the  Dodo,  it  now  builds  its  nest 
in  the  branches.  On  account  of  its  heavy  bill,  it  bears  some 
resemblance  to  the  Dodo,  and  is  mainly  on  this  account  held  by  some 
to  be  an  ally  of  that  extinct  bird. 


3S 


lilKII  GAI.LKKV. 


Family  III.  Columbid.I!.      1'r;i:o.\s. 

jff'ocfi  '^1"*  family  includes  all  the  remaining  species  of  tlic  order.  Of  the 
Ground  Pigeons  exhibited  we  may  specially  mention  the  Giant  Crowned 
Pigeons  (Govra)  (208,  209),  the  (irey-naped  Ground-Pigeon  (O/idip/iajix 
rerric(ilis)  (210)  from  New  Gniuea,  lield  by  some  to  be  an  ally  of 
Didunmhis,  the  Nicobar  Pigeon  (Calwiias  nicobarica)  (213)  with  its 
remarkable  metallic  plumage  and  long  neck-haekles,  the  Wonga-wonga 
[Lt'ttcv:<fir(i(i  picata)  (214)  from  East  Australia,  and  the  beautiful 
Bartlett's  Blood-breasted  Pigeon  {Phloi/a'iias  crinigera)  (215)  from  the 
I'liilippines.  Jn  all  these  it  will  be  noted  the  length  of  the  leg  is  very 
conspicuously  greater  than  in  the  tree-hauuting  type  of  Pigeon. 

[Ciise  10.]  Above  these  will  be  seeu  the  beautiful  Bronze-winged  Dove 
{C/ialcop/iapx  iiidica]  (227),  and  the  diminutive  Long-tailed  African  Dove 
(  CEna  capcnstis)  (228),  one  of  the  smallest  of  all  the  Pigeons.  Next  come 
the  more  familiar  species  belonging  to  the  genera  Tiirtitr  and  Columhu. 
Of  the  former  the  Turtle-Dove  (T.  turtur)  (231)  may  be  specially 
mentioned,  and  ol  the  latter  the  Stock-Dove  (237),  the  Rock-Dove  (238) , 
and  the  Wood-Pigeon  (239),  all  common  species  in  the  British  Isles. 
The  Rock-Dove  is  noteworthy,  as  from  this  s]iecics  all  the  domesticated 
varieties  have  been  derived.  The  handsome  Rcinwardt's  Cuckoo-Dove 
[Ediiivardtu'inis  reiiiwardti)  (240)  and  the  Passenger  Pigeon  [Ectop'istes 
migratoriiis)  (241),  of  Eastern  North  America,  complete  the  more 
noticeable  species  in  this  Case.  The  latter  species  is  now  almost  extinct, 
though  only  a  kw  years  ago  it  was  met  with  in  such  countless  flocks 
that  a  colony  seen  by  the  naturalist  Wilson  on  one  occasion  was  ' 
estimated  to  consist  of  more  than  2,230  millions  !  As  late  as  1878  a 
"roost"  of  these  birds,  at  Petosky  in  Michigan,  occupied  an  area  twenty- 
eiglit  miles  long  by  three  or  four  broad.  During  the  nesting  season 
millions  of  birds  are  said  to  have  been  slaughtered  without  producing 
:uiy  appreciable  reduction  in  their  numbers. 

■Case  20.  Resplendent  colours  are  characteristic  of  the  Fruit-Pigeons,  though 
green  may  be  said  to  be  the  predominant  tone.  Some,  such  as  the 
Cliatliam  Island  form  {Hemijihagu  chalhunn-nsis)  (249),  exhibited  on  the 
Hoor  of  this  Case,  are  of  large  size,  and  a  curious  crested  species, 
Lopholamus  aniarcticvs  (248)  from  New  South  Wales,  will  be  found 
rear  it.  The  Nutmeg-Pigeon  {Mynsticivora  bicolor)  (250)  from  the 
Malay  Archipelago  is  a  striking  form,  pure  white  with  the  flight-feathers 
and  tip  of  the  tail  black.  Among  the  more  brilliantly  coloured  forms 
are  the  Orange  Fruit-Pigeon  {Chrysmnas  victur)  (262)  from  the  Fiji 
Islands,  and  the  Jambu  Fruit-Pigeon  {Ptilopvs  jantbu)  (271)  from 
Borneo.  The  Rcd-crowncd  Pigeon  [Alectrmnas  jmhherrma)  (261) 
from  the  Seychelles  represents  a  remarkable  little  group,  one  of  which, 


RAILS.  39 

A.  uiiidisstma  of  ^lanritius,  lias  become  extinct  witliiu  historic  times. 
Of  the  Green  Fruit-Pigeons  Sphenocercus  (278  c),  Osmofrcroii  {211, 
277  a),  Treron  (276),  etc.,  a  number  arc  exhibited  at  the  top  of  the  Case, 
and,  as  i^ill  be  seen,  the  liarmonious  colouring  of  some  of  the  smaller 
species  is  wonderfully  pleasing. 


Order  V.  RALLIFORMES.     Rail-like  Birds. 

The  members  of  this  order  are  all  adapted  for  a  life  among  thick  [Ousc  -ii. 
undergrowth,  such  as  is  found  along  the  banks  of  rivers,  swamps  and 
pools,  or  among  long  grass  in  drier  places.  The  body  is  laterally  com- 
pressed between  the  closely  fitting  concave  wings,  so  that  the  bird  is 
enabled  to  glide  easily  and  stealthily  through  reeds  and  other  cover. 
The  legs  are  moderately  long  and  the  toes  often  extremely  so.  In  spite 
of  their  apjjarcntly  weak  and  unprotractcd  flight,  many  arc  migratory, 
and  some,  sucli  as  the  Corn-Crake,  are  capable  of  making  very  long 
voyages.  Not  a  few  from  long  disuse  of  their  wings  have  lost  the  power 
of  flight,  and  of  these,  it  may  be  mentioned,  several  have  become  extinct 
during  historic  times.  Rails  are  mostly  good  swimmers.  The  eggs  are 
numei'ous,  generally  from  seven  to  eleven  in  number  and  double-spotted. 
Of  the  species  exhibited  in  this  Case  only  the  more  interesting  can  be 
referred  to  here. 

Family  I.  R.\llid.i:.     Rails. 

The  true  Rails  may  be  distinguished  Ijy  the  absence  of  a  horn\  frontal  [Case  ii.' 
shield  or  plate  on  the  forehead  and  of  lobate  webs  on  the  toes.  They 
are  distributed  all  over  the  world,  being  as  a  rule  of  sombre  coloration 
and  of  very  retiring  and  partially  crepuscular  habits.  The  Water-Rail 
{Ralhis  uquatkus)  (298)  and  the  Corn-Crake  or  Land-Rail  [Crex  cre.c) 
(312)  are  both  found  in  Great  Britain,  the  former  as  a  resident,  the 
latter  as  a  suuimcr  visitor  from  South  Africa.  The  Spotted  Crake 
(316),  the  Little  Crake  (315),  and  Baillon's  Crake  (314)  are  also 
included  in  the  British  list,  the  former  as  a  regular  summer  visitor 
and  partial  resident. 

A  number  of  large  handsome  Rails  belong  to  the  South  American 
genus  Ammides  (306-308 ),  three  species  of  which  are  exhibited. 

The  singular  Wallace's  Rail  [Hahroptila  wallacei)  (305), "from  the 
forests  of  Ilalmahera  in  the  ^Moluccas,  and  the  Weka  Rails  or  Wood- 
hens  (Ocydromiis)  of  New  Zealand,  are  of  special  interest,  having  entirely 
lost  the  power  of  flight,  and  are  in  consequence  doomed  ere  long  to 
extinction.  The  common  Weka  Rail  (0.  avstroVis)  (304),  a  rather 
large  bird  about  the  size  of  a  hen,  is  much  sought  after  by  the  Maoris, 


40 


lillil)  GAI.LDIiV. 


both  for  food  and  for  tlie  sake  of  its  oil.  Numerous  forms  allied  to  tins 
genus  iiave  already  l)ccoiiie  c\tinct_,  such  as  Ajihunuptery.r  from 
Mauritius  and  Lci/iin//(i  t/ii/antcfi  from  llodriguesc,  wliieh  is  described  as 
standing  six  feet  in  height  and  liaving  a  body  as  large  as  that  of  a 
Goose. 

Other  genera,  such  as  the  Purple  Gallinulcs  ( I'urjjhijr'whi,  Forplnjrio 
(329-332)  and  Notornis),  are  remarkable  for  the  Ix-auty  of  their  plumage, 
the  great  size  of  their  bill  and  frontal  shield,  and  the  length  of  their 
toes.  The  celebrated  "  Moho "  (Nufor/tis  innntel/i),  one  of  the  most 
interesting  of  the  Purple  Gallinulcs,  is  all  but  extinct.  It  is  unable  to 
Hy,  and  has  now  entirely  disappeared  from  the  North  Island  of  New 
Zealand,  but  in  the  South  Island  three  were  obtained  during  the  past 
century,  one  as  recently  as  1881,  and  a  few  may  still  exist  in  remote 
parts  of  the  country.  Strangely  enough  the  species  was  first  described 
by  Owen  from  an  imperfect  fossil  skull,  and  was  at  that  time  believed  to 
be  extinct.  Shortly  after,  however,  a  living  specimen  was  captured,  to 
be  followed  by  the  others  already  referred  to.  The  common  British 
Moorhen  or  Waterhen  [GalUnnIa  chlorojmn)  (327)  is  nearly  related  to 
the  Purple  Gallinulcs,  though  its  colouring  is  much  less  brilliant.  Tiie 
Coots  (Fulica),  of  which  the  common  Coot  (F.  afra)  (334)  is  the  best 
known,  may  be  recognised  from  the  rest  of  the  family  hy  the  broad  lobes 
to  the  toes,  their  feet  bearing  a  strong  resemblance  to  those  of  the 
Grebes.  They  arc  all  good  swimmers,  spending  the  greater  part  (jf 
their  life  on  the  water,  and  the  species  are  distributed  over  the  greater 
part  of  the  world,  though  the  greater  number  belong  to  the  South 
American  region. 

Family  II.   Helioknithiu.u.     Finfoots. 

This  family  is  represented  by  certain  aberrant  types  undoubtedly 
allied  to  the  Rails,  in  spite  of  their  curiously  Grebe-like  form. 
Altogether  three  genera  are  recognised,  two  of  which  belong  to  the  Old 
World  and  the  third  is  confined  to  South  America.  This  latter  genus 
includes  a  single  species  of  Finfoot  (Helioniis  fulica)  (337).  Peters's 
Finfoot  {PocUca  pcterfi)  (336)  represents  the  Old  AVorld  forms. 

Order  VI.  PODICIPEDIFORMES. 
•  Family  Podicipedid.f,.     Grebes. 

[Case  21.]  fpiig  birds  which  constitute  this  order  are  an  extremely  interesting 
group  on  account  of  the  profound  modifications  which  the  skeleton  lias 
undergone  in  adaptation  to  the  requirements  of  a  purely  aquatic  life. 

The  bones  of  the  hip-girdle  have  become  elongated  and  laterally  com- 
pressed to  a  remarkable  degree.    The  thigh-bone  is  extremely  abbreviated 


so 


GREDES.  11 

tlmt  tlic  legs  are  set  very  far  back  near  the  liiiuler  end  of  tlie  body,  a 
position  which  ensures  tlic  maximum  of  power  wlicu  swimming,  but 
wliich  leaves  the  bird  almost  helpless  on  land.  Tiic  front  toes  are 
l)rovided  with  wide  lateral  lobes  which  arc  united  with  one  another  at 
the  base.  The  tail  is  inconspicuous,  being  a  mere  tuft  of  downy  plumes. 
As  in  the  Divers,  the  plumage  of  the  Grebes  is  much  handsomer  during 
the  breeding-season  than  it  is  in  winter,  and  they  are  familiarly  known 
on  account  of  the  muft's  and  trimmings  fur  dresses  which  are  made 
from  their  beatitiful  silvery-white  breasts. 

The  Grebes  arc  a  nearly  eosmopoiitau  family,  though  chietly  found  in 
the  temperate  regions  of  both  Hemispheres.  About  twenty-five  species 
arc  known,  all  expert  divers,  but  unlike  some  of  the  Auks  and  the 
Penguins,  which  use  their  wings  in  diving,  Grebes  propel  themselves 
through  the  water  by  their  curiously  lobed  toes  alone. 

In  winter  they  migrate  from  the  colder  parts  and  arc  then  often  to  be 
foiuul  at  the  sea,  but  they  breed  exclusively  on  fresh  water,  attaching 
their  tioating  nest  of  weeds  to  any  convenient  patch  of  reeds.  The  eggs, 
which  are  from  three  to  six  iti  number,  arc  bluish-white  when  first  laid 
but  soon  become  stained  with  brown.  Five  species  occur  in  the  British 
Isles,  the  Great  Crested  Grebe  {Podkipes  rristatus)  (287)  and  the  Dab- 
chick  {P.ftuvhitilts)  (279)  being  residents,  while  the  Red-necked  (286), 
Kared  or  Slavonian  (284),  aud  Black-necked  Grebes  (285)  arc  autnmn 
and  winter  visitors.  The  latter  also  occasionally  appears  in  spring  and 
summer,  and  is  believed  to  have  bred  in  Great  Britain.  The  most  re- 
markable is  the  large  South  American  species  [P.  Ducrojjterum),  which 
is  found  on  Lake  Titicaca  and  lacks  the  power  of  flight. 

Order  VII.  COLYMBIFORMES. 
Family  Colymbid.i:.     Diveks. 

The  Divers,  or  Loons  as  they  are  also  called,  present  precisely  similar  '  '•'->'  ^1-1 
modifications  of  the  skeleton  to  those  found  in  the  Grebes.  Indeed,  the 
two  orders  are  very  generally  regarded  as  one.  Like  the  Grebes,  they 
have  a  distinct  breeding  plumage  which  differs  conspicuously  from  that 
worn  during  the  remainder  of  the  year.  The  front  toes  are  fully 
webbed,  and  the  tail-feathers,  though  small,  are  normal.  The  large 
olive-  or  reddish-brown  eggs  spotted  with  black  and  grey  are  always  two 
in  number,  and  laid  in  a  slight  depression  of  the  ground  close  to  the 
water's  edge.  Though  essentially  formed  foi  jwimming  and  diving, 
when  once  on  the  wing  they  can  also  fly  withg>«at  rapidity,  but  on  land 
their  movements  are  awkward  and  clumsy. 

Of  the  five  species  known  to  inhabit  the  .\rctic  and  sub-Arctic 
j)ortions  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  four  visit  Great  Britain,  two  of 


case. 


4'2  BIKI)   CAI.I.KKV. 

tliciic,  tlio  Kcd-tliroatcd  (290)  and  Blcaok-tliroatt-d  Divers  ^291  ),  nesting 
within  onr  limits,  and  two^  tlic  Great  Nortliorn  (293)  and  the  White- 
billed  Divers  (292i,  visiting  our  shores  in  winter,  the  latter  very  rarely. 
In  winter  they  migrate  further  south  and  ehangc  their  summer  plumage 
for  a  more  sober  garb,  becoming  entirely  white  underneath.  A 
comjiarisou  of  the  maps  showing  the  distiibu.tion  of  the  Grebes  and 
Divers  elearly  indicates  how  the  latter  take  the  place  of  the  former  in 
the  more  northern  regions. 

Order  VIII.  Sl'HENISClFOKMES. 
Family  Spiienisciu.e.  PExiiiixs.  (Plate  III.) 
[Ceiiiit-  Penguins  may  fairly  be  considered  to  hold  the  same  place  among 
Birds  that  tlie  Seals  do  among  the  ]\Iainnialia.  At  the  present  time  they 
arc  represented  by  comparatively  few  species,  though  they  probably 
played  a  more  important  part  in  prehistoric  times.  They  date  back  at 
least  to  the  Upper  Eocene,  in  which  the  gigantic  New  Zealand  Penguin, 
standing  over  six  feet  high,  was  discovered.  Their  wings  arc  modified 
into  swimming-paddles  covered  with  narrow  scale-like  feathers.  Their 
legs  arc  iucliulcd  in  the  skin  of  the  body,  and  their  large  clumsy  feet 
jjlaecd  so  far  back  as  to  render  their  locomotion  on  land  a  very  difficidt 
operation.  Their  home  is  the  sea,  and  when  diving  they  propel  them- 
selves solely  by  means  of  their  wings,  which  they  use  alternately,  while 
their  legs  are  used  as  a  rudder.  They  breed  on  the  desolate  rocks  and 
islands  in  the  Southern  Ocean,  where  they  arc  not  often  disturbed  by 
man,  and  extend  np  to  the  equator  (Galapagos)  in  the  Pacific. 

All  the  known  species,  seventeen  in  number,  may  be  grouped  into  six 
gene]'a.  The  best  known  are  the  large  King-Penguins  (Apteiiudijlfs 
putuijonlva)  (350)  [Figs,  e  &/],  which  generally  stand  with  their  licad 
and  neck  stretched  out  vertically  and  the  tip  of  their  beak  pointed 
directly  upwards.  'When  ])ui'sued  on  shoi'c  they  can  move  with  con- 
siderable speed,  and  lying  down  tlat  on  the  belly,  work  both  their  legs 
and  wings  wildly  to  assist  them  in  their  frantic  eflbrts  to  escape.  Still 
lai'gcr  birds  are  the  Ji^mpcror-Penguins  {A.  forsteri)  (351)  from  the 
jVntarctic  continent.  The  Jackass-Penguins  (Spheniscus)  have  received 
their  name  from  their  cry,  which  resembles  the  braying  of  a  donkey. 
The  nest  of  S.  nuif/el/anicus  (340)  is  a  rudely  coustrncted  pile  of  grass- 
roots and  other  materials.  The  Rock-hoppers  {Calarrhactcs  (343-345) 
[Figs,  a  &  6-j  and  Meyudijptes  (346))  [Fig.  d'],  with  shorter  bills, 
derive  their  name  from  their  curious  mode  of  hopping  from  rock  to  rock 
with  both  feet  placed  together.  The  smallest  of  all  are  the  species  of 
End ijpt Ilia  (352 1  [Fig.  i],  which  inhabit  the  coasts  of  South  Australia 
and  New  Zealand. 


PLATE    III. 


Gkuii'   uf    Nlw   Zeauanu    Penguins. 


<;,  Rock-Hopper  Penguin.  />,  Little  Blue  Penguin.  ,-,  Thick-Billed  Penguin. 

[Catarr/laclfs  c/irysocome.)     Nn.  344.      (Jiiidyptiila  minor.)     No.  352.      (^Calarrhacta  pachyrhynchiis.)     No.  343. 

d,  Yellow-Crowned  Penguin.  e,  young,  King  Penguin  ;  /,  adult. 

{Megadyptes  antipoditm.)     No.  346.  {Aptenodyies  patagonica.)      No.    350. 


PETRELS. 


Older  1,\.   rUOCKLLARIIFOKAIES.      Petricl-tkiiu: 


Vi 


Tlif"  Albati'dsfs  and    i'ctrols  Ijear  a  i^trous;-  superficial  resemblance  to       [Ca^oK 

'2''>  ''4  ' 
tlic  Gulls,  to  wliicli.  however,  they  are  not  even  remotely  related.     They     '-  •- 

may  be  distinguished  by  the  curious  shape  ot  the  nostrils  which  have 

tubular  openings,  while  in   the  fiulls  these  are  slit-like.     The  various 

members  of  this  order  vary  greatly  in  size,  the   Albatroses,  which  are 

the  largest  of  the  Petrels,  possessing  a  wider  spread  of  the  wing  than 

any   known   bird,  while   the   Stormy-Petrels   are  hardly  larger  than    a 

swallow.      All   are   endowed   with  great  ]50wers  of  flight  and  have  a 

peculiar  musky  odour,  specially  noticeable  in  the  Giant  and   Fulmar 

Petrels.     The  Albatroses  build  a  fairly  substantial  nest  and  breed  iu 

vast  colonies  iu  the  open,  but  the  great  majority  of  Petrels  deposit  their 

single  egg  in  holes  and  crevices  of  the  rocks  or  in  burrows,  using  little 

or   no   lining.     Tiic  egg  is  dull  white,  often  marked,  especially  in  the 

smaller  species,  witii  a  ring  of  reddish  spots  round  the  larger  end.     The 

young  when  hatched  are  covered  with  thick  white  or  grey  down,  antl 

for  a  long  time  hcli)lcss  and  dependent  on  the  care  of  their  parents. 

Family  I.  Dkjmedeid.e.     Albatkoses. 

The  Albatroses,  of  which  three  genera  and  about  fifteen  species  arc  [Case  2:!,] 
recognised,  arc  the  most  powerful  of  all  birds  on  the  wing.  One  of  the 
largest  and  best  known  species  is  the  Wandering  Albatros  [Dioiiwdca 
cxulan.s]  (355),  which  measures  nearly  eleven  feet  across  the  tips  of  the 
wings.  This  bird  breeds  in  gi-cat  colonies  on  the  high  table-lands  of 
some  of  the  islands  in  the  Southern  Ocean,  repairing  there  in  October 
and  building  a  mound  of  mud  and  grass  with  a  slight  hollow  iu  the  top. 
The  single  egg  is  not  hatched  till  January,  and  the  young  is  for  a  long 
time  helpless  and  covered  with  thick  white  down,  as  mav  be  seen  in  the 
young  Royal  Albatros  [D.  regia)  (357).  The  immense  expanse  of  the 
wings  in  flight  is  seen  in  the  rare  White-winged  Albatros  [D.  chionoptcra) 
(358)  exhibited  at  the  top  of  the  Case.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  a 
specimen  of  the  Black-browed  Albatros  [D.  melanophnjs)  (356)  was 
captured  iu  Cambridgesliii-c  in  181)7.  Other  species  of  the  fanrily  are 
the  Yellow-nosed  Albatros  [Thalassogeroii  chlororhynchus)  (359),  and  the 
Sooty  Albatros  [Ph(eheirui  ftilh/inosa]  (360). 

F\imily  II-  Pkocellariide.     Petiiels. 

The  most  aberrant  of  the  Petrels  are  undoubtedly  the  three  species  (i  'ase  .'8.] 
included  in  the  subfamily  PdccanouViiue  or  Diving  Petrels,  which  are 
represented  by  Garnot's  Petrel  (Pelccunoichs  yarnotl)  (361).  Like  the 
Little  Auk  (404)  (Case  24),  which  they  closely  resemble  in  general 
appearance,  they  have  a  hurried  flight  and  dive  into  the  sea  in  pursuit 
of  their  prey  without  any  interruption  in  the  action  of  their  wings,  and 


11, 


Ml  HI)   I.AI.I.KIU'. 


emerge  I'l-Dm  bencatli  tlic  surfarc  Hyiiij;.  Unlike-  tin-  dtlicr  I'ctrels,  they 
arc  f^cncrally  fouiid  singly  or  in  pairs  and  ni>st  sporadically. 
'>s'oT^  The  second  snljlaniily  Prorclldriinu'  inelndes  the  true  Petrels.  The 
Shearwaters  [Piiffiniis]  are  ninnerously  I'cpresentcd  in  all  the  great 
oceans  of  the  world,  and  derive  their  name  from  their  curions  hahit  of 
skimming  jnst  over  the  surface  of  the  -naves.  The  Manx  Shearwater 
(P.  iiu(jlonnn)  (370)  is  widely  distributed  over  British  waters  throiigliout 
the  year,  and  breeds  on  many  of  the  islands  oft"  the  coast,  while  the 
(ireater  (372),  Sooty  (368),  and  Little  Dusky  (369)  Shearwaters  are 
visitors  to  our  sJiores,  the  latter  being  much  the  rarest. 

The  allied  genus  (Estrelata,  including  some  thirty  species,  is  interesting 
iiom  the  fact  that  two  of  tlie  species  liavc  each  been  recorded  once  from 
Britain.  Of  these  a  sjiecimen  of  the  Collared  Petrel  (CE.  brevipes]  (365) 
killed  in  Wales  is  exhibited,  but  the  Capped  Petrel  (CE.  hcesilata]  is  so 
rare  that  only  one  example  exists  iu  the  Museum  collection. 

Bulwcr's  Petrel  (Bulweria  buhcen)  (364),  a  curious  sooty-black  form, 
is  common  in  the  Madeirau  w  aters,  and  has  occurred  once  in  Yorkshire 
and  once  in  Sussex,  where  a  specimen  was  picked  up  dead.  The  Pintado 
Petrel  or  "Cape  Pigeon"  (Diipfion  capens/s]  (363),  as  its  name  implies, 
is  numerous  off  the  South  African  coast,  and  well-known  from  its  habit 
of  accompanying  ships  for  the  sake  of  the  scraps  of  food  thrown  over- 
board. Lastly  we  may  draw  attention  to  the  beautiful  Snowy  Petrel 
[Pntjoclroiiia  iiirea)  (362),  a  native  of  the  icy  regions  of  the  South. 
[Case  -24.]  On  the  floor  of  this  Case  will  be  found  the  Giant  Petrel  or  "  Nelly  " 
{OssiJ)-(/(/a  (/ii/aii/t'ii)  of  the  Southern  seas,  the  largest  of  the  true  Petrels. 
Apart  from  its  size  this  species  is  remarkable  for  possessing  both  a  light 
(376)  and  a  dark  (377)  phase  of  coloration,  some  individuals  being  dark 
brown  and  others  almost  entirely  white.  Examples  of  both  types  arc 
shown.  Tlie  Fulmar  Petrel  ( Fulmar  us  (iluriulh)  (379)  is  a  well-known 
inhabitant  of  the  seas  of  Arctic  Europe,  and  nests  within  our  limits  on 
St.  Kilda  and  the  Shetland  Islands.  Two  phases  of  plumage  are  kiujwu, 
some  examples  having  the  under  surface  white,  while  in  others  these 
parts  are  grey.  The  Broad-billed  Blue  Petrel  [Prion  ariel)  (380) 
represents  a  small  group  remarkable  for  the  presence  on  each  side  of  the 
bill  of  long  lamelhe,  resembling  those  of  the  Ducks.  01  the  small  long- 
legged  Petrels,  commonly  known  as  "  Mother  Carey's  Chickens,"  and 
placed  by  some  authors  in  a  separate  suljfamily,  Oi-caiufiiiic,  quite  a 
number  appear  on  the  list  of  British  Birds.  Two,  the  Storm-Petrel 
{Procellarld pelagicu)  (381)  and  Leach's  Fork-tailed  Petrel  [Occaiiodroma 
leucorrhoa)  (382),  breed  on  some  of  the  islands  off  the  west  coast  of 
Britain,  while  Harcourt's  Storm-Petrel  (O.  castro)  (383),  Wilson's 
Storm-Petrel  [Oceanites  oceanicus)  (387),  and  the  beautiful  White- 
breasted  or  Frigate-Petrel  {Pi'laiiodroiiui  inarimi)  (385)  arc  accidental 
visitors  to  our  shores. 


^LATE    IV. 


Puffins   (Fratcrciila  avclicn]   WITH   YouNG.      Nesting  Scries,  No.  97. 
a,  }'nnng  ;    /',   ni.ilo ;    (,   leni.ile. 


JT) 


Older  X.  ALCIFOKMES. 
Family  Ai.ciD.i-:.     Ai'ks.     (Plate  IV.,  \.) 

The  Auks,  Guillemots.  Kazor-bills  and  Puftius,  iueluded  iu  this  family,  rc':t.-e  -4. 
form  a  group  of  exceptional  interest  on  account  of  the  modifications  of 
structure  which  they  have  luulergone  to  adapt  them  to  a  purely  pelagic 
life.  Though  allied  to  tlic  Gulls  and  more  distantly  to  the  Plovers,  they 
are  now  superficially  very  different,  and  as  in  the  Grebes  and  Divers  the 
shape  and  carriage  of  tlic  body  are  specially  suited  to  their  peculiar 
liabits.  Their  distribution  is  confined  to  the  coasts  of  the  North 
Circumpolar  region,  none  being  found  cither  in  the  tropical  zone  or  in 
the  Southern  Hemisphere.  Black  and  white  are  the  predominating 
colours  in  the  plumage  of  these  birds.  They  breed  gcneially  on  rocky 
cliffs  and  islands  in  enormous  colonics,  make  no  nest,  and  the  female  lays 
her  one  or,  in  some  species,  two  eggs  on  the  bare  rock  or,  as  in  the  case  of 
the  Puffins,  in  a  rabbit-burrow  or  hole  tunnelled  by  the  l)irds  themselves. 
The  young  are  covered  with  down  when  hatched,  and  in  their  first 
plumage  differ  Imt  little  from  the  adult. 

The  smallest  members  of  the  group  are  the  little  xAuks,  represented 
on  the  top  shelf  of  this  case  by  several  diminutive  species.  Least  of 
these  is  the  Minute  Auk  [Shiior/ii/nc/iKs  /jiisi/lux)  (390),  remarkable  on 
account  of  its  extremely  small  bill,  while  the  Pigmy  Auk  {S.  jji/i/i/iteii.i) 
(391)  and  the  Crested  Auk  {S.  ciistalflliis)  (392)  have  an  elongate  frontal 
crest  of  narrow  feathers  curving  forward  over  the  bill.  In  these  species, 
as  iu  their  allies  the  Puffins,  the  sui)])lementary  ornamental  shields  on 
the  bill  are  cast  after  the  breeding-season,  and  the  bill  then  appears  much 
smaller  and  of  a  dull  brown  colour.  The  Perroquet-Auk  [Phalerin 
jisitiaculuts)  (393)  from  the  North  Pacific  is  another  curious  little  form, 
and  the  Unicorn-Puffin  {('erorhijiicha  iiionoceratu)  (394),  from  the  North 
Pacific  and  Bering  Sea,  has  a  peculiar  horny  excreseciiee  at  the  base  uf 
the  bill  during  the  breeding-season. 

The  Common  Puffin  or  Sea-Parrot  (I'rulea-ida  arctica)  (397)  [PI.  IV.], 
a  common  British  species,  the  Horned  Puffin  (F.  conurulata  (396),  and 
their  ally  the  Tufted  Puffin  [Luitda  cirrhatu)  (395),  differ  from  all  the 
species  already  mentioned  in  having  the  claw  on  the  inner  toe  very 
strongly  curved.  During  the  breeding  season  these  birds  have  the  bill 
brilliantly  ornamented,  but  iu  autumn  a  remarkable  moult  takes  place, 
and  the  coloured  shields  fall  off,  leaving  the  bill  about  half  its  former 
size.  This  is  clearly  illustrated  ou  the  tablet  exhibited  iu  the  Case, 
where  the  head  of  the  Common  Puffin  is  shown  with  the  recently  cast 
shields  alongside  the  bill. 

From  the   coasts   and   islands   of  the   North  Pacific  and  Bering  Sea 


•id  HIKD  GALI.i;HY. 

Clinic  two  (limiuutive  forms  of  Guillciuot  represented  bj-  the  Aueieut 
Auk  (SijritliUhorhiimphus  antujuus)  (389)  and  the  Marbled  Guillemot 
(BrachyrhuinpJius  niarmoratus)  (398).  Of  the  true  Guillemots  (L^?v'«) 
two  sjiecies,  the  Common  Guillemot,  Marrot,  or  INIurre  [U.  troilc)  (402), 
and  the  Black  Guillemot  or  Tystie  {U.  (jrylle)  (400),  are  British  l)rcediiig- 
binls;  the  Bridled  Guillemot  [U.troUe,  var. ritn/ria  )  (401)  being  generally 
regarded  as  merely  a  variety  of  the  former,  though  some  consider  it  a 
distinct  species.  It  is  not  nearly  so  numerous  as  the  common  form  and 
always  occurs  in  compauy  ■with  it.  The  wonderful  range  of  colour  and 
markings  in  the  eggs  laid  by  the  Commori  Guillemot  is  well  illustrated  in 
the  Case  exhibited  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  staircase  in  the  Central 
Hall.  The  set  of  specimens  showing  the  seasonal  changes  of  plumage 
in  the  Black  Guillemot  deserves  special  notice,  liriinnich's  Guillemot 
(  U.  lomriu)  (403),  distinguished  chiefly  by  its  stouter  bill  aud  Ijy  having 
the  basal  part  of  the  upper  mandible  naked,  occasioiuilly  visits  onr 
coasts  as  a  straggler  from  the  Arctic  Ocean.  Another  regular  winter 
visitor  to  Britain  is  the  Little  Auk  or  Rotche  {Alte  allc)  (404).  The 
Razor-bill  [Alca  tarda)  (405)  is  cliiefly  interesting  on  account  of  its 
resemblance  and  probable  relationship  to  the  Great  Auk,  which  will  be 
found  immediately  below.  The  Great  Auk  or  Gare-fowl  [Planlus 
impemiis)  (406)  [PI.  V.]  is  a  bird  of  quite  exceptional  interest,  beiug  now 
extinct.  As  may  be  seen  from  its  diminutive  wings  it  was  quite  unable 
to  fly,  aud  its  extermination  was  due  largely,  if  not  entirely,  to  the  agency 
of  man.  The  last  colony  of  this  bird  inhabited  the  islands  near  Iceland 
and  was  finally  exterminated  in  18i4.  Specimens  of  this  bird  and  its 
eggs  arc  now  regarded  as  great  treasures. 


Order  XI.  LARIFORMES.     Gull-tribe. 

[Cases  The  Gulls,  Terns,  and  Skuas  which  make  up  this  order  are  closely 
IT),  L'().]  ;ili;e(]  01,  the  (me  hand  to  the  Auks  and  on  the  other  to  the  Plovers 
Avhich  follow,  and  some  zoologists  regard  these  three  groups  as  forming 
but  a  single  order.  Superficially  the  Gulls  bear  some  resemblance  to  the 
Petrels,  but  may  readily  be  distiuguislied  from  the  latter  by  their  slit- 
like nostrils.  From  the  Plover-tribe  they  may  be  recognised  by  their 
webbed  feet,  and  from  the  Auks  by  their  long  wings  and  tail  and  by 
the  carriage  of  the  body,  which  is  horizontal  instead  of  nearly  vertical. 

The  predominating  colour  in  the  adult  birds  is  white,  with  a  mantle 
varying  in  shade  from  grey  to  black.  The  young  differ  from  the  adults, 
being  usually  mottled  with  brown  or  black,  and  the  nestlings  are 
covered  with  beautifully  patterned  down.  From  one  to  four  eggs  are 
laid,  usually  brown  or  green  heavily  blotched  and  spotted  with  brown, 
black,  and  pale  lilac. 


PLATE    V. 


Great   Auic    {P/dii/us  im/'ciiins)  with    1m;g.     No.  406. 


'4^ 


PLATE    VII. 


"^ 


Hkkkino    CluLLS    {f.i!/ //s  ni-ocii/,!//!.^).      Nesting  Scrlus,   No.    124. 
(/,   fciiinlc ;    /',  male. 


•  lUI.LS.  17 

Tliou^h  iiiost  ot  the  spCL'ies  arc  truly  inariuc,  they  often  waiulef  far 
iiiiantl.  aiul  many  breed  in  hirge  colonies  in  the  proximity  of  fresh 
water. 

Family  1.   Steucorariid.!;.     Skuas. 

Oil  the  floor  of  this  Case  ivill  be  fmind  the  Skuas  or  Parasitic  Gulls;  [•' 
mostly  Ijirds  of  a  dusky  or  reddish-brown  colour^  and  remarkable  not 
only  in  jiosscssing  a  "  cere  "  or  bare  wax-like  base  to  tlie  bill,  but  also  as 
rej;ards  their  habits.  Though  apparently  well  adapted  both  for  swim- 
ming and  diving,  they  rather  avoid  the  water,  and  obtain  their  food  by 
destroying  other  birds  or  by  robbing  tliem  of  their  prey. 

Four  species  of  the  Great  Skuas  {Megalestris)  are  known,  of  which 
one,  the  "Bonxie"  {M.  catarrhactes)  (409),  from  the  North  Atlantic, 
breeds  in  the  Shetland  Islands.  One  of  the  Southern  forms  [M.  ant- 
iircfica)  (410),  ranging  from  New  Zealand  to  tlie  Falkland  Islands, 
appears  to  feed  almost  entirely  on  Petrels,  and  closely  resembles  some 
huge  hawk  as  it  rapidly  quarters  the  hill-sides  in  search  of  prey.  Of 
the  smaller  long-tailed  species  {Stercorariiis),  Richardson's  Skua 
{S.  crqndatus)  (411)  has  botii  dark  and  light  phases  of  plumage,  and 
nests  in  some  of  the  islands  off  the  north  of  Scotland;  while  Buffou's 
and  the  Pomatorhine  Skuas  (S.  parasiticus  (412)  and  S.  jioi/ialor/iiims 
(413))  are  both  winter  visitors  to  our  coasts.  All  three  breed  in 
the  high  north  and  wander  far  south  in  winter.  Their  habits  are  very 
similar;  they  single  out  a  Gull,  Tern  or  Gannet  well-stocked  with  recently 
caught  fish,  and  after  a  hot  pursuit  force  it  to  disgorge  part  of  its  booty, 
which  is  seized  ere  it  reaches  the  water. 


Family  II.  Larid.e.     Gulls  and  Terns.      (Plates  VII.,  VIII.) 

The  Gulls  may  generally  be   distinguished  from  the  Terns  by   their       [Uases 
strong,  curved  bill   and   square   tail.     Many  of  the  larger  species  are   ~'''  ~*'-J 
almost  omnivorous,  feeding  on  small  mammals,  young  birds,  eggs,  and 
all  sorts  of  carrion,  besides  fish.     They  may  be  divided  into  two  groups, 
those  with  a  hood  and   those  without.     To  the  latter  belong  the  Kitti- 
wakes  {Rissa),  with   the  hind   toe  rudimentary  or  absent,  of  which  K.   [Ca<ie  -2^).] 
tridactyla  (414)  is  a  common  British  species,  and  a  number  of  the  larger 
species  of  Larus  such  as  the  Common  Gull  (L.  canus)  (425 ),  the  Herring- 
Gull  [L.  argentatus)  (424)  [PI.  VII.],theGreaterandLesserBlack-backed 
Gulls  (L.  marinus  (421 )  and  L.  fuscus  (423)),  all  of  which  breed  in  the 
British  Isles ;  while  the  Glaucous  and  Iceland  Gulls  [L.  yhiucus  (420), 
L.leucopterus  (419)),  and  the  Ivory  Gull  {Pagophila  eburnea)  (416)  are 
occasional  visitors  to  our  coasts.     Besides  these  a  number  of  less  familiar 


48 


Mini)  (;\i.i,i;k^'. 


species  are  exliibitcd,  one  f)f  tlic  most  uotewortliy  bciii^  tlir-  Paritic  (ruU 
{Gadiaiinspac/ficux)  (417),  with  its  remarkably  stout  bill;  while  Tschiuli's 
[('iiH'  I'd.]   (430),  Ilemprich's  (431),  and  Heerman's  (429)  Gulls  arc  specially  inte- 
resting forms  on  account  of  their  peculiar  dusky  coloration.     The  hooded 
gulls  comprise  such  species  as  our  Blaek-hcaded  Gull  [L.  ridibundus) 
(432),  the  commonest  British  species,  and  the  Bonaparte's  {L.  phi/a tffl- 
phue)     (434),  Mediteri-ancan    Blaek-lieaded   [L.  melanocephalnx)   (435), 
(ireat  Hooded  {L.  ic/il/iijartns)  (436),  and  Little  Gull  [L.mlntdus]  (437), 
all  accidental  visitors  to  Britain.      In  these  birds  the  black  hood  is  only 
assumed  during  the  breeding  season,  at  other  times  the  head  is  white  or 
nearly  so.      Sabine's  Gull  [Xeiiui  suhinei)  (438)  and  the  very  rare  Ross' 
Rosy  Cxull  {Rliudostetlihi  rosea)  (439)  arc  aberrant  forms;  in  the  former 
the  tail  is  forked,  in  the  latter  euneatc  or  wedge-shaped.     Both  belong  to 
the  Arctic  Seas  and  are  only  stragglers  to  our  coasts. 
[Case  L'6.]        'J'he  Terns  or  Sea-Swallows  may  l)c  recognised  by  their  nearly  straight, 
pointed  and  comparatively   slender   bill,  forked  tail,  and    more  slender 
build.      S])ecially  interesting  forms  arc  the  \Vhite  Tern  [Gyc/is  comlidu) 
(440)  and  the   Noddy    [Aiwiis   .slo/hlus)  (443),  with  its   curious  nest  of 
mud  and  scaw  ced,  etc.  placed  on  the  bough  of  a  tree.    This  bird  has  twice 
been  recorded  from  our  shores.   In  the  IJiitish  Islands  five  species  of  Tern 
{SleriKi),  viz.  :  the  Common  [S.  fluviutilh)    (452),  Arctic  (,S'.   niacrura) 
(453),  Little  (>'.  miimla)  (448) ,  Sandwich  (,S'.  cantiaca)  (455)  [PI.  VIII.], 
and    Roseate    (,S'.    doityalU)    (454),    are    regular    summer    visitors    and 
remain  to  breed,  the  latter  being  very  mucli  the  rarest.     Besides  these, 
seven  other  species  of  Tern   have  been   recorded  as  accidental  visitors, 
viz.:     the   Sooty   {S.  fidii/iiiosii)    (446),   Bridled   (S.  (nuestfic/a)    (447), 
Caspian  ( lli/droprof/nc  casjt//i)  (456),  (iuU-billed  {  Geloc/iclidoii  aiii/licd) 
(457),    White-winged     {Hi/droc/ii/idoii     k'liroptcra)    (458),    Whiskered 
{  II.  hyhrida)    (459),  and    Black    (7/.  /»>//•«)  (460).     All  these  arc  repre- 
sented in   the   Case,  and  the   last-named    may  be  considered  a  regular 
visitor  and  formerly  bred  in  England. 

The  most  remarkable  members  of  the  family  arc  the  Scissor-billed 
Terns,  of  which  an  e.Kample  will  be  found  in  liliijtirliojis  Jlaviroslr/s  (462). 
They  have  been  given  their  trivial  name  on  account  of  the  peeuliai 
form  of  the  bill,  which  is  quite  iuii(jue  among  birds.  Both  upper  and 
lower  mandibles  arc  compressed  to  a  knife-like  thinness,  and  the  lower 
is  produced  beyond  the  upper  for  a  considerable  distance.  This  peculiar 
modification  appears  to  be  for  the  purpose  of  catching  fishes  from 
among  the  surface-swimming  shoals.  The  lower  jaw  being  used  as  u 
sort  of  plough,  catches  up  the  prey  as  the  bird  flies  along  over  the 
surface.  Five  species  are  known,  of  which  one  is  Asiatic,  one  African, 
and  three  are  Amei'ican. 


> 

<: 


.>^^ 


PLOVICK,-.  !i) 


Older  Xll.  CHAEADRIIFORWKS.     Pu.vek-tiui!!;. 

The  birds  included  in  this  Order  prtseut  great  variety  in  size,  sliaue.  [t'lises 
and  coloration,  and  it  is  interesting-  to  notice  that  these  differences  are 
generally  traceable  to  iieculiar  methods  of  feeding-.  Though  a  few 
species  frequent  arid  plains,  they  are  essentially  birds  of  the  fen  and  of 
the  sea-shore,  or  haunt  the  Ijanks  of  streams  and  desolate  marshes, feeding 
on -worms,  small  shell-tish,  and  erustacea.  For  the  capture  of  these  the 
beak  and  legs  have  become  modified  in  many  ways.  A  considerable 
number  of  species  exhibit  conspicuous  changes  in  the  coloration  of  the 
plumage,  adopting  a  distinct  summer  and  winter  dress ;  others  undergo 
but  little  seasoual  change.  The  richly  coloured  eggs  do  not  ordinarily 
exceed  four  in  number,  and  are  deposited  in  a  slight  hollow  in  the 
ground  with  little  or  no  preparation  in  the  form  of  a  nest.  The  young 
are  quite  active  when  hatched  and  clothed  in  a  thick  eoveriug  of 
beautifully  patterned  down,  the  colour  of  which  is  more  or  less  deter- 
mined by  the  surroundings  amid  which  tliev  are  hatched. 


Cast-  I'Z.] 


l''anii!yl.   Dhomadi  d  r.      C'i<AH-rLovi:iis. 

On  the  Hoor  uf  this  Case,  on  the  right-hand  side,  wc  find  the  sole 
representative  of  this  very  aberrant  and  remarkable  family,  which 
inhabits  the  coast-land  and  sandy  islands  of  India,  Arabia,  and  East 
.•Vfrica.  The  nesting  habits  differ  entirely  from  those  of  every  other 
member  of  this  order,  for  the  Crab-plover  {Dromas  archolu)  (463) 
breeds  in  deep  burrows  excavated  in  the  sand-hills  and  lays  a  single 
large  white  egg.  The  young  arc  covered  with  greyish  down  and,  like 
young  petrels,  remain  in  the  burrows  during  the  day. 


Family  II.  CnioMUiD.i:.      SiiEArn hills. 

The  Sheathbills,  of  which  three  species  are  known,  form  another  very  [Case  27. t 
aberrant  family,  inhabiting-  the  islands  adjacent  to  the  southern  extre- 
mity of  South  America  and  in  the  South  Atlantic  Ocean.  The  base 
of  the  bill  is  covered  with  a  saddle-shaped  horny  sheath,  the  cheeks  are 
naked,  covered  with  wattles  in  Chionis  alba  (464),  and  the  wings  are 
armed  with  spurs.  The  habits  of  the  Lesser  Sheathbill  [Chiuitcirchus 
vdnor)  (465)  are  described  as  resembling  in  some  respects  tliose  of 
pigeons,  Avliile  in  their  gait  aiul  flight  they  closely  resemble  Ptarmigan. 
The  rougii  nest  of  dried  plant-stems  is  made  in  a  hollow  among-  the 
rocks  or  occasionally  in  a  Petrel's  burrow,  and  contains  two  or  three 
eggs  thickly  spatted  and  mottled  with  [jurplish-rcd. 

K 


50  Hljtl)   <;.VLLEUV. 

Family  III.  Attagid.k.     Seed-Snipes. 

[Case  27.1  This  is  aiiotlicT  aljerraut  j^roup  of  tlie  Plover-tribe,  peculiar  to  vSoutli 
Ann  I'iea.  Two  distinct  i;eiiera  are  recof;iiised,  each  of  which  is  repre- 
sented m  the  Case.  Gay's  Seed-Snipe  (Attuf/is  f/ai/i)  (466j  and 
D'Orbifiny's  Seed-Snipe  {Thinocoius  urbii/nianux)  (467)  are  both  re- 
markably mdike  Plovers,  the  former  especially  bearing  a  marked 
resemblance  to  the  Tinaraous. 

Family  IV.  Ciiakaukiid.k.     Plovers.     (Plate  VI.) 

I  Cases  To  tiiis  very  lar<;e  fiimiiy  behjng  all  the  Snipes,  Sandpipers,  and  Plovei's. 
27,  iH.j  They  may  be  divided  into  several  subfamdies.  The  tirst  [I'lialuropitue) 
includes  the  little  Phalai'opes,  which  inhabit  the  Arctic  and  Sub-polar 
regions;  they  are  extremely  interesting  birds,  and  the  most  aquatic 
members  of  the  Plover-tribe.  As  in  the  Grebes  and  Coots  the  toes 
arc  lobed,  and  they  are  able  to  swim  with  ease  and  spend  much  of 
their  time  ou  the  water.  The  female  is  larger  and  more  handsomely 
coloured  than  the  male,  who  undertakes  the  duties  of  iiiculiation  and 
the  care  of  the  young.  The  Red-necked  Phalarope  {Phularopus  hyper- 
boreiLs)  (470)  annually  visits  Great  Britain,  anil  still  breeds  ou  some 
of  the  islands  off  the  north  and  west  of  Scotland;  but  the  Grey 
Phalarope  {Cnjinupliihis  fitlicurins)  (469)  is  only  an  irregular  visitor 
to  OU)'  shores,  while  Wilson's  Phalarope  [Steganopus  tricolor)  (468 1 
is  a  North  American  species.  The  great  difference  between  the  summer 
and  winter  plumage  of  these  birds  is  worth  noting. 

A  precisely  similar  reversal  of  the  sexual  characters  is  found  in  the 
Painted  Snipe  (Ro.strutitla  cupeims)  (472),  examples  of  which  may  be 
seen  on  the  shelf  above.  Generally  these  birds  are  regarded  as  true 
Snipe,  l)ut  they  are  probably  more  nearly  allied  to  the  Sandpipers. 
Three  species  arc  recognised,  and  occur  in  Africa  and  Southern  Asia, 
Australia,  and  South  America  respectively. 

We  now  come  to  the  true  Snipe  and  Woodcocks,  a  cosmopolitan 
group  migratory  in  cold  climates,  distinguished  by  the  peculiar  round- 
ness of  the  cranium,  which  brings  the  aperture  of  the  ear  directly 
under  the  eye,  and  by  the  great  length  of  the  bill.  The  mottled  plumage 
is  protective  in  character,  harmonising  with  the  bird's  surroundings  and 
thus  concealing  it  from  enemies.  The  long  bill  is  well  supplied  with 
nerves  and  extremely  sensitive  to  touch,  and  like  that  of  many  of  the 
Sandpipers  is  very  flexible,  especially  at  the  tij).  The  Common  Snipe 
[Galliiuuio  ijaUinacjo)  (476)  and  the  Woodcock  [Scolopax  rusticula)  {M\) 
are  both  well-known  British  species,  breeding  throughout  the  Islands  ; 
while  ih'i  (ireat,  Double,  or  Solitary  Snipe  {GaUinago  major)  (477)  and 


I'LOVliKs.  51 

the  Jack  Snipe  {Lymnocrnjitis  ija/liniila)  (473)  are  winter  visitors,  the 
former,  liowever,  being  comparatively  rare. 

The  next  subfamily  Tutaiiiiue,  occupvino-  the  rcniaindcr  of  Case  27  ''^ises 
and  the  floor  of  Case  28,  includes  the  Sandpipers  and  Godwits,  most  of  '  "  -' 
which  have  distinct  summer  and  winter  plumages,  as  well  as  the  Curlews. 
Of  these  the  Dunlin  (486),  Huif  (500),  Greenshank  (496),  Kedshank 
(506),  Common  Sandpiper  1 502),  Curlew  (519),  and  Whimbrel  (516) 
breed  in  the  ]5ritish  Isles,  though  the  Rulf  and  Whimbrel  are  local  and 
rare.  Many  others,  such  as  the  Knot  (484),  Curlew-  (483),  Purple  (482), 
Wood-  (499)  and  Green-  (497)  Sandpipers,  Little  Stint  (488),  Sanderling 
(491),  Spotted  Redshank  (507),  and  the  Bar-tailed  (509)  and  Hhiek- 
tailed  Godwits  (508)  visit  our  coasts  regularly  ;  while  among  the 
occasional  visitors  are  the  Broad-billed  (485),  American  Pectoral  (481), 
Bonaparte's  (480),  Butt-breasted  (493),  Bartram's  (494),  Solitary  498), 
and  Snipe-billed  oi'llcd-breasted  (51 1 )  Sandpipers,  the  American  (487)  and 
Temniinck's  (489)  Stints,  Yellowshank  (503),  andEskimo  Curlew  (513). 

Among  the  typical  Sandpipers,  perhaps  the  most  striking  form  on 
account  of  its  remarkable  bill,  is  the  little  Spoon-billed  Sandpiper 
( Etir/iynorhi/nchuspijffmtei/s)  (490),  a  native  of  Eastern  Asia.  As  regards 
variety  of  colour  the  polygamous  Huff' (P«t;o«ce//a /*«//««*■)  (500)  is  cjuite 
peculiar.  During  the  breeding  season  the  face  of  the  male  becomes 
covered  with  small  yellow  warts,  the  fore-neck  develops  au  enormous 
"  rnft'"  of  feathers  which  can  be  erected  or  depressed  at  will,  and  the 
liead  is  adorned  with  tufts  of  feathers  or  "  ears  "  Avhieh  are  also  erectile. 
Both  "rntf"  and  "ear-tufts"'  are  specially  remarkable  for  the  range  of 
their  colour,  which  may  be  white,  rufous,  or  black,  with  or  without  bars, 
the  variation  being  endless  and  alike  in  no  two  individuals.  In  winter 
both  sexes  are  very  similar  in  plumage,  but  the  female,  commonly  called 
the  Reeve,  may  always  be  distinguished  from  the  male  by  her  smaller 
size.  The  Butt'  is  ])olygamous,  and  the  males  during  the  spring  are  very 
pugnacious,  and  have  a  curious  habit  of  assembling  in  small  parties  to 
contend  in  a  kind  of  tournament  for  the  possession  of  the  females,  which 
are  said  to  outnumber  them. 

The  difference  between  the  summer  and  winter  dress  of  the  Godwits 
(Limosa)  (508-510)  is  most  conspicuous;  in  the  former  bright  chestnut- 
red  is  the  dominant  colour,  while  in  the  latter  the  general  tone  is 
grey  and  white.  In  the  Curlews  [A^Hmenius)  (513-519)  these  seasonal 
differences  are  very  slight. 

The    Ibis-billed    Curlew   {Ibidurhyuchus  siruthersi)    (520),  from    the  ,  (  a-e  i'8.] 
inland  streams  of  Central  Asia,  China,  and  the  Himalaya,  is  the  unitjue 
type  of  the  next  subfamily,  and   worthy  of  special  notice.     It   is  mare 
nearly  allied  to  the  Oyster-catchers  than  the  Curlews  and  resembles  the 
former  in  its  hal)its. 

E  2 


o^  r.ini)  (^  vi.i,Kii\ . 

Of  the  ^4iciif(riiiiic,  ihc  '[\\rn:>to\w  {Arenuria  iiilcrjjns)  (522),  one  of 
the  commonest  of  our  shore  birds,  is  ahnost  cosmopolitau  iu  its  rauge, 
nesting  iu  the  Arctic  regions  of  both  Hcmisplieres  and  ranging  south 
ahnost  as  far  as  hind  extends.  It  gains  its  trivial  name  of  "Turnstone"' 
from  its  habit  of  turning  over  stones  to  secure  the  small  erustaeea  hidiug 
beneath  them. 

The  Oyster-catchers  or  ''  Scu-Vic^"  (U(Ciii(/foj>o«l//ia')  (523  525},\\liicli 
lia^e  the  legs  reticulated  both  in  front  and  behind,  derive  their  name 
IVom  their  stipposcd  hal)it  of  Iceding  on  oysters.  They,  however,  live 
ihietly  on  mussels,  whelks,  aiul  other  shell-fish,  which  are  seooj)ed  from 
their  shells  by  the  bird's  powerful  bill.  The  common  Oyster-catcher 
(H<('iiiatupHx  o.s/ra/('f/iis)  (525)  is  a  familiar  British  species,  breeding  on 
the  shores  and  sandy  beds  of  rivers,  and  depositing  its  eggs  iu  a  slight 
depression  in  the  ground.  As  will  be  seen  from  the  specimen  of 
//.  iinicolur  (523)  in  the  Case,  some  species  are  entirely  black. 

Passing  over  the  Pe/lu/ii/a/i/ue,  which  includes  only  the  Austialian 
Dotterel  [Peltohijax  uustrulis)  (533),  we  come  to  the  True  Plovers 
[Charadriiiue)  \\hich  include  a  number  of  well-know  u  forms  many  of 
which  are  found  on  the  List  of  Eritish  15ird>. 

Commencing  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  tilth  shelf  we  Hnd  the  very 
singular  Wry-billed  Plover  (Aitar/ti/ncliux  froitlulis)  (532)  of  New 
Zealand,  which  has  the  bill  twisted  towards  the  right,  an  adaptation 
which  enables  the  bird  to  ]nck  uj*  insects  hiding  under  stones. 

The  Hinged  (527)  and  Kentish  (529)  Plovers  [PI.  VI.],  Dotterel 
(533),  (iolden  Plover  (546),  and  Lapwing  (544).  are  all  well-known 
British  birds  and  breed  in  our  islands;  the  Little  Iviuged  (528)  and 
Grey  Plovers  (541)  arc  regular  visitors  on  migration,  and  the  Kildeer 
(534),  Caspian  (537l,  and  American  Golden  (547)  Plovers  are 
oc<-asional  stragglers  to  our  shores.  The  Dotterel  ( F.tidroiittaa  iiwrineUus) 
(535),  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  Plovers,  was  at  one  time  a 
fairly  common  British  bird,  but  its  nundicrs  have  greatly  decreased 
of  recent  years.  The  Grey  Plover  (Sqtiataro/a  licivetica)  (541 )  and 
the  Golden  Plover  [Vharndruts  jibtrhdh)  (546)  are  conspicuous  for  the 
marked  changes  of  plumage  during  the  summer  and  winter  months.  The 
Lapwing,  Peewit,  or  Green  Plover  {Vanellus  rmivllits)  (544)  is  perhaps 
the  best  known  bird  of  the  group  on  account  of  its  eggs  beiug  so  highly 
prized  as  table  delicacies.  The  young  of  this  species  (545)  exhibited  in 
the  Case  show  the  protective  nature  of  the  colour  iu  the  nestling  down. 
•  [Case  i^8.]  A  uumber  of  the  Plovers  have  the  sides  of  the  face  in  front  of  the 
eye  ornamented  by  brightly  coloured  wattles,  which  hang  down  on  each 
side  of  the  bill,  and  some  have  a  strong  spur  situated  at  the  bend  of  the 
wing  and  used  as  a  formidable  weapon  of  offence.  As  an  example  of 
those  with  facial   wattles   onlv,  we  mav  draw  attention  to  tin-  Crested- 


w 

< 


■"St  ^'^        *'    j^- 


■';> 


f 


\J 


ry. 


u 


\  ^7  :*^-^ 


\; 


J 


n.uvKiis.  53 

Wattled  Plover  iSdrcidjiJioriis  tecttis)  (555).  In  the  Black-thighcd 
(Xipkidiojiteriis  cnciiUatus)  (542)  and  Latliani's  Wattled  La[)\\ing 
{Lnbh-iUiplliis  liihatii!<)  '548),  both  wattles  and  spurs  to  the  wiiii;s  are 
found  ;  wliilc  others,  sucli  as  the  Cayenne  Lapwing  (Beloiwpteruti  rinjen- 
/icii.sis)  (554)  and  the  Egyptian  Spur-winged  Plover  (HojAopteriix 
xpinoxus)  (543),  liave  spurs  only.  The  latter  species  is  believed  by  some 
to  be  the  "  Crocodile-Bird  "  of  the  earlier  writers,  and  is  said  to  enter  the 
crocodile's  month  to  feed  on  the  ])arasites  attached  to  the  gums.  The 
Sociable  Plover  (Cluetmia  f/rc(/aria)  (552),  which  ranges  from  South- 
eastern Europe  and  North-east  Africa  to  Central  Asia  and  India,  is 
interesting  to  British  ornithologists  as  having  once  been  captured  in 
Lancashire. 

The  Avocets  and  Stilts  (HtmantopodiiHe)  (557  562),  which  complete  ^Case  28.] 
the  series  in  this  Case,  arc  singularly  interesting  types,  the  former 
es|)cci;dly  so  on  account  of  the  form  of  the  bill,  which  is  upturned  and 
drawn  out  into  nn  extremely  fine  point.  The  conuuon  .Vvoret 
(Jiecinr/ros/ra  uvocctla)  (561)  at  one  time  bred  in  considerable  numbers 
in  the  fen-country  in  the  cast  of  England,  but  now  only  occurs  as  a 
visltoi-  on  migration.  The  Banded  Avoeet  {Cladorhijiiclius  leucocephal ks) 
(560)  of  Australia,  a  remarkably  handsome  bird,  represents  an  inter- 
mediate form  \\ith  the  bill  but  slightly  curved  upwards  and  the  feet 
webbed  as  in  the  Stilts.  These  latter  have  renn'rkably  long  legs 
and  a  straight  slender  bill  and  obtain  their  food  i)y  wading.  The 
Black-wiugcd  Stilt  {Hiiiiaiilopifs  liinmntopus)  (557)  has  visited  Britain 
on  many  occasions,  and  is  widely  distributed  over  Europe,  Africa, 
and  Asia. 

Family  \'.   Cunsoiuiu.i;.      Coukseus. 

T^Iiis  small  group  of  Plover-like  birds  inhabits  Africa  and  ranges  [Ca^e  29.] 
through  Southern  Asia  to  India  and  Ceylon.  One  species,  the  Cream- 
coloured  Courser  {Ciirsorius  (j(iUicus)  (564l,  breeds  in  the  Canary 
Islands  and  occasionally  wanders  to  England.  It  frequents  dry  sandy 
]ilaius  and  deserts,  running  with  extraordinary  speed  and  rarely  taking 
wing,  though  at  times  its  Hight  is  protracted.  Insects  such  as  grass- 
hoppers form  its  principal  food,  and  its  eggs,  two  in  number,  aredeposited 
on  the  bare  ground,  which  they  closely  resemble  in  colour.  An  allied 
genus  is  represented  by  the  Two-banded  Courser  (Rhinoptilus  bichic(us) 
(565).  One  of  the  most  interesting  species  is  the  Black-headed  Plover 
(Pluvidnus  (eciiipthis)  (563),  also  known  as  the  "  Crocodile-Bird." 
Like  the  Egyptian  Spur-winged  Plover  it  is  said  to  enter  the  mouths  of 
crocodiles  in  search  of  leeches  and  other  parasites  which  adhere  to 
the  great  reptile's  gums. 


54  lilKI)  (^XLI.tKV. 

Family  \  I.  Gi.akkolid.e.     Pratincoles. 

[Ca&e  -J'J.  Tlie  iucni1)ers  of  this  family  arc  all  coufiued  to  the  Old  VV^oild,  and  in 
general  ap|)earaiice  bear  little  rcsemblauce  to  Plovers.  In  their  lon;^ 
win<;-.Sj  mode  of  flight,  and  general  apijcarance  they  recall  the  Terns, 
■Hhile  on  account  of  their  wide  gape  and  from  the  fact  that  much  of 
their  time  is  spent  hawking  inscct>s  on  the  wing  like  Swallows,  they 
were  actually  placed  with  that  group  by  Liunpcus.  Tu  the  genus 
G/areold.  which  includes  the  Common  Pratincole  (CI.  jjrrtt//iCol(/) 
(567),  the  tail  is  deeply  forked,  l)ut  in  the  allied  genus  Galactoclirt/sea 
(569,  5701  it  is  cither  emarginate  or  square.  The  Common  Pratincole 
occasionally  wanders  to  Britain  on  migration,  and  the  Hlack-winged 
Pratincole  {G.melanoptera)  (568)  has  also  occiirred  on  the  coast  of  Kent. 
A  remarkable  long-legged  form,  Stiltia  isabelkt  (566),  has  the  first 
flight-feather  greatly  lengthened  and  attenuated  towards  the  tip. 

Family  MI.   Pakhiu.e.     Jacaxas. 

[Cas-f  as,  1  The  Jacauas  closely  resemble  some  of  the  Rails,  but  are  nevertheless 
more  uearly  allied  to  the  Plovers.  They  are  specially  remarkable  for 
the  great  length  of  the  toes  and  claws,  the  latter  being  cnoimonsly 
elongated.  Their  widely  spreading  but  exti-cmely  light  feet  enable  these 
birds  to  walk  with  ease  over  the  leaves  of  water-lilies  and  other  floating 
herbage.  All  the  species  have  the  wing  armed  w  ith  a  spur  placed  at 
the  bend  of  the  wing,  but  in  s(jmc  this  weapon  is  long  and  very  sharp, 
while  m  others  it  is  blunt  and  niach  less  developed.  Some,  such  as  the 
Australian  Jacana  (Hi/dra/ector  yaUiiiactus]  (576)  and  the  ciiiunon 
South  .Vmcricau  species  [Jacana  jacana)  (574l,  have  conspicuous  fleshy 
wattles  round  the  base  of  the  bill.  AVith  the  la.ttcr  species  three  vciy 
beautiful  nestlings  are  exhibited.  The  largest  species  is  the  Plieasant- 
tailed  Jacana  [Hydropliasianus  chirurgits)  (577)  of  India  and  the 
countries  to  the  cast,  while  the  smallest  form  is  the  little  African  species 
(Mirroparra  capensix)  (575). 

Family  YIII.  CEdicnemid-i;.     Ston-l-Plovjeks. 

[Case  2!>.  I  Tlie  Thick-knees,  known  also  as  Stone-Curlews  and  Stone- Plovers,  arc 
allied  tu  the  Plovers,  and  form  a  connecting  link  between  thcni  and  the 
Bustards  with  which  they  are  here  associated.  About  twelve  species, 
grouped  in  three  genera,  arc  found  throughout  the  temperate  and  tropical 
portions  of  the  Old  World  and  in  Central  and  South  America.  The 
Common  Stor.e-Curlcw,  Thick-kuce,  or  Norfolk  Plover  ((Edicnemus 
cedioiemns)  (578),  ranging  from  South  and  Central  Europe  to  N.  Africa 
and   India,  is  a  summer  visitor  to  many  parts  of  England  and  resident 


X 


ill  the  soiitli-westci'u  counties,  the  open  wolds  and  shingly  parts 
uf  the  coast  being  its  favourite  resorts.  The  eggs,  usually  two  in 
number,  are  laid  on  tlie  bare  ground,  often  among  stones  which 
they  closely  resemble  in  colour.  As  is  indicated  by  their  large  eyes, 
these  birds  are  to  a  great  extent  nocturnal  in  their  habits,  and  they 
are  of  service  to  man  in  destroying  numbers  of  slugs,  beetles,  field- 
mice,  &;c.  Representatives  of  the  other  genera  will  be  found  in  the 
Australian  Thick-knee  (5?/;-//?^»f«  yraUanan)  (580)  and  the  Large-billed 
Thick-knee  [Ortliorliamplms  niaijnirostris]  (579),  whieii  range  from  the 
Malay  Archipelago  t(}  the  shores  of  Australia. 


Family  IX.  Otidid.k.      Bustakds.     (Plate  IX.) 

The  Bustards  are  an  Old  World  group  of  heavily-built  birds,  and  arc  [Casps 
lepresentcd    by    numerous  species  presenting  great    variation  in    size.   -■''  ''^-l 
All  arc  inlialjitants  of  the  plains  and  deserts,  and  their  stout  legs  and 
short  thick  toes,  recalling  those  of  the  Ostrich-tribe,  enable  them  to 
walk    and    run   with  great  rapidity.       In  spite  of   their  large,    some- 
what clumsy  bodies,  their  flight  is  often  rapid  and  prolonged,  and  three 
species  occasionally  visit  Britain  during  the  colder  half  of   the  year. 
Of  these  the  Great  Bustard  (C'/« /a/v/«)  (585)  [PI.  IX.]  was  formerly  an 
abundant  resident  on  the  extensive  downs  and  plains  of  England,  but  has 
long  since  disappeared,  except  as  an  occasional  visitor  ;  while  the  Little 
Bustard  [Tetrad-  tetrn.v)  (583)  and  the  Iloubara  or  jMaequeen's  Bustard 
[HoubarumacqHeeni)  (589)  are  stragglers,  the  latter  having  occurred  on 
three  occasions  only.     When  courting  the  female,  the  male  of  the  Great 
Bustard  has  an  cxtiaordinary  method  of  showing  off^,  and  when  at  the 
height  of  his  display  presents  one  of  the  most  curious  sights  imaginable. 
The  tail  is  turned  up  and  laid  flat  on  the  back,  being  kept  in  position 
by  the  long  flight- feathers  of  the  wings  which  are  crossed  above  it  : 
the   pure  white    nnder-tail-coverts,  inner  secondary  quills,  and  wing- 
eoverts  are  then  fully  exposed  and  ruffled  up  so  as  to  form  a  frill  covering 
the  entire  back.     At  the  same  time  the  head  is  laid  back  between  the 
shoulders,  and  by  filling  a  specially  developed  pouch  with  air  the  neck  is 
enormously  inflated  till  o.;ly  the  crown  of  the  head  and  ends  of  the  long 
'•  whiskers"  are  visible.     In  this  extraordinary  posture  the  bird  struts 
slowly  in  front  of  the  female,  springing  round  from  time  to  time  to 
exhibit  the  white  uuder-tail-coverts.     In  the  Case  in  the  centre  of  this  [Ueutral 
bay,  the  appearance  of  the  Great  Bustard  while  engaged  in  his  love     ''^^^"' 
display  has  been  admirably   reproduced  by  Mr.  G.  Pickhardt.     On  the 
floor  of  Case  29  the  size  and  position  of  the  inflatable  neck-pouch  will 
be  seen  in   the    dissection  made  from  a  specimen  which  died  in    the 
Zoological  Gai'dens  during  the  mating  season.     It  is  not  known  whether 


56  JIIIU)   IIAI.I.EKV. 

this  pourii  is  I'etaincd  in  iidiilt  birds  tlirougliout  the  year  or  devclupcd 
al'rcsli  each  season.  A  female  of  the  (jrcat  Bustard  witli  lier  down)' 
nestlings  may  be  seen  on  the  floor  of  Case  'i'.l 

The  largest  of  all  is  the  Paauw  or  Kori  IJnstard  (  E'ipodotis  kori)  (592) . 
from  the  plains  of  Afriea  :  and  among  the  forms  eharactcrised  by  orna- 
mental plumes  on  the  crown  and  neck  \vc  may  draw-  attention  to 
Miicqneen's  Bustard  already  mentioned  above,  and  the  Lesser  Floiican 
or  Likh  {Si/ji//i'o//s  /i/rrit/i)  (588l,  nhicli  is  further  remarkable  for  its 
aenmiiint(>  fli"ht-feathers. 


Order  XIII.  OPISTIIOCO.MIFORMRS. 
family  OpisTiiocoMin  v.      Hoatzin'.      (Plato  X.) 

[Talile-  The  singular  South  American  bird  known  as  the  Iloatzin  [Optatho- 
l"";' '"  coiiiiis  hoasi/i)    (594)   is  the  oulv  representative  of  this  Order,  and  has 

pf  Bnv."  l)ecn  referred  by  different  natnralists  to  the  ( Jame-Birds  and  other 
groups.  Ill  spite  of  its  external  resemblance  to  the  C4uans,  it  is  perhaps 
more  nearly  allied  to  the  Rails,  while  certain  points  of  struetare  seem 
to  indicate  considerable  affinity  to  the  Cuckoos.  It  inhabits  the  banks 
of  the  Amazon  and  other  great  South  American  rivers,  extending  as  far 
sontli  as  Bolivia.  The  skeleton  presents  many  remarkable  modifications, 
the  stf)'nuin  being  unlike  that  of  any  other  species  of  bird.  The  keel 
is  much  reduced  and  its  posterior  termination  is  fiattened-out  into  a 
broadened  surface  which  supports  the  greater  part  of  the  weight  of 
the  body  when  the  bird  is  at  rest.  The  cnormons  size  of  the  crop  has 
probably  caused  the  curious  modifications  which  the  furcula,  sternum, 
and  pectoral  muscles  have  undergone.  The  food  consists  of  leaves  and 
fruit,  and  the  birds  after  death  have  a  very  unpleasant  odmir  which 
prevents  tlicm  being  used  as  food.  In  spite  of  their  large  wings  the 
flight  of  these  birds  is  very  feeble  and  awkward,  and  wiien  distuibed  they 
only  fly  for  a  very  short  distance.  The  nestlings,  which  can  both  see 
and  crawl  soon  after  they  are  hatched,  have  a  well-developed  claw  on 
the  pollex  and  index  fingers  of  the  wings  by  means  of  which  they  creep 
about  among  the  branches  assisted  by  the  bill  and  feet.  They  can  also 
swim  and  dive  well.  The  nest,  a  loose  platform  of  spiny  twigs,  is 
placed  on  branches  overhanging  the  water,  and  the  eggs  closely  resemble 
those  laid  by  the  Coru-Crake  and  other  Rails. 


Order  XIV.  GRUIFORMES.     Ckane-likk  Birds. 
^  [Cases       'j^'iii^  Order  includes  the  Cranes  and  a  number  of  allied  but  some- 
'    ""  '    what  aberrant  forms.      In   general  external   appearance   they  resemble 


X 

w 

H 

<: 

p., 


w 

H 


z 


the  Storks  and  Herons,  l)nt  structurally  they  are  very  different.  Vuv 
instance,  the  nostrils  in  all  Cranes  (except  the  aberrant  Kagu)  are 
pervious,  communicating  freely  with  one  another  and  not  separated  l)y 
a  bony  partition,  and  the  palate  is  sehizognathous — that  is  to  say,  the 
maxillo-palatinc  bones  are  imt  nuiteil  with  one  another  or  with  the 
vomer  (p.  209).  The  young  are  hatched  covered  with  down,  and  are 
able  to  take  care  of  themselves  soon  after  leaving  the  egg. 


Family  I.   Ahvmip-e.      T;Impki\s. 

The  Limpkins  (598),  including  two  American  species,  variously  i.OaseSl.j 
known  as  the  Clucking  Hen,  Caran,  Courlan,  Tjrimentiug  Bird,  or 
Crazy  Widow,  on  account  of  tlicir  oft-rei)cated  [liei'cing  cry,  arc^  large 
long-billed  birds  forming  a  link  between  the  Cranes  and  Kails.  Ostco- 
logically  they  are  most  ncai'ly  related  to  the  fiu'mer,  but  in  their 
external  appearance,  flight,  and  mode  of  life  they  reseml)lc  the  l;ittcr. 
The  South-American  Limpkin  {Arainus  scolopaceii.s)  (598)  I'angcs  over 
a  large  part  of  that  cmitinent,  fi-equeuting  the  beds  of  sti'cams  ;ind 
marshes.  The  nest,  m  Inch  is  placed  among  the  rushes,  contains  ten  or 
twchc  Rail-like  csss. 

Family  II.    liiiixocnrrii)  i:.     Kagus. 

The  only  representative  of  this  family  is  the  Kagu  {Rliiiwchctiis  [Case:)!.] 
jubaiiis)  (600),  a  native  of  New  Caledonia.  The  shape  of  the  bill  aiul 
crest  give  the  bird  a  Ileron-like  appearance,  which  is  emphasised  bv 
the  grej'-coloui'rd  plumage.  In  a  wild  state  its  habits  are  said  to  be 
nocturnal  ;  but  in  captivity  it  is  active  enough  during  the  daytime,  and 
exhibits  considerable  Crane-bke  dancing-powers. 

Family  III.    I']r  in  i-vtau  e.     Su.v-Rittekns.      (Phite  XI.) 

These  remarkable  Rail-like  birds  arc  confined  to  Central  and  South  (';!>.•  .11.] 
America.  They  resemble  the  Kagus  in  many  points  of  structure  and 
in  possessing  powder-down  patches.  Only  two  species  are  known,  and 
both  possess  remarkably  handsome  and  variegated  }iluinage.  The 
.species  exhibited  {Kirnjpyija  major)  (599)  is  a  native  of  Central 
America  and  Colombia.  It  is  mounted,  with  outspread  wings,  in  a 
position  the  bird  is  fond  of  assuming.  The  nest  is  placed  in  a  tree,  and 
the  nestlings,  though  covered  with  down,  have  to  be  fed  by  tlie  parents 
for  some  time  before  they  can  leave  the  nest. 


,")S  HI  1(1)  GAI.LEKV. 

Family  l\.  Cakiamid.k.     Cariamas.      (PI.  XII.  tii;.  1.) 

[Case  -il.  'I'lie  po-sitiouol'  these  birds  in  tlic  Avian  system  has  given  rise  to  much 
discussion.  Some  autliors  have  placed  them  in  the  Accipitrex,  near  the 
Secretary-bird,  wliicli  they  resemble  in  general  appearance  and  in  cer- 
tain habits ;  but  the  most  recent  work  of  anatomists  seems  to  show  that 
their  ])roper  position  is  vpith  the  Cranes.  The  Brazilian  Cariama 
[CdrimiKi  criatiifd)  (596)  is  a  native  of  South-eastern  Brazil^  living  on 
the  ground  among  the  high  grasses  of  the  campos,  where  its  loud 
screaming  cry  may  frequently  be  heard.  The  nest  is  placed  on  low 
bushes,  and  the  eggs  are  rounded  and  s[iotted  like  tliose  of  Cranes  and 
Rails.  Like  the  Secretary-birds,  it  kills  its  prey,  such  as  rats,  by 
striking  down  cm  them  with  its  feet  and  reducing  them  to  pulp. 

Family  V.  Psopiuin.E.     Trumpeters. 

j  Case  •■SI.  The 'frumpeters,  an  e\am[ile  of  which  will  be  found  in  the  common 
form  [Psojiliia  rrcpitans]  (595),  include  about  half  a  dozen  species,  all 
confined  to  South  America.  Their  popular  name  is  derived  from  their 
curious  trumi)Ct-like  call,  most  likely  produced  by  means  of  the  enor- 
mously developed  trachea.  Their  favourite  haunts  are  the  moist  fiu'ests, 
where,  being  extremely  sociable  birds,  tliey  arc  generally  met  with  in 
flocks.  The  ])0wers  of  flight  are  small,  and  being  easily  tamed,  the}' 
are  often  to  be  seen  in  the  settlements  of  the  Indians  in  a  domesticated 
condition.  The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground,  and  the  eggs,  ludike 
ihose  of  the  other  members  of  the  Order,  are  white. 

Family  VI.  Gruid.i;.     Cranes. 

[Cases  The  true  Cranes  are  long-necked,  long-legged,  stately  birds,  generally 
-'  with  bright  patches  of  colour  on  the  head,  and  with  the  inner  secondary 
flight-feathers  developed  into  drooping  ornamental  plumes.  They  ari' 
found  in  all  parts  of  the  \\orld  except  South  America.  The  character- 
istic cry  is  a  very  loud  trumpeting  sound,  uttered  with  the  head  thrown 
back  and  the  bill  oi)en,  and  produced  by  a  peculiar  convolution  of  the 
windpipe  within  the  hollow  keel  of  the  breast-bone.  The  length  and 
development  of  these  convolutions  depend  on  age,  and  they  are  entirely 
absent  in  very  young  birds.  In  the  Crowned  Cranes  [Balenrica]  the 
windpipe  is  simple  and  docs  not  enter  the  breast-bone. 

Cranes  are  gregarious,  and  during  their  migrations  travel  in  single 
tile  or  in  V-shaped  array,  after  the  manner  of  wild  Geese  ;  they  frequent 
marshes  and  plains,  and  are  specially  fond  of  the  neighbourhood  of 
lagoons  and  fields  of  rice  and  corn.  Thcii'  peculiar  habit  of  dancing 
and  going  through  various  graceful  antics  may  be  witnessed  any  day  at 


< 

0-, 


a  .0 
<  A 


1 


PLATE    XIV. 


AusiuALIAN    I'LUMKD    F.GKET  (.l/cw///i>i'-V  /i/iim ifcra).      No.   6^9. 


iiintoNs.  59 

tlic  Zoological  Gardens.  Ot  tlic  eiglitecu  dift'ercut  species  known 
typical  examples  will  be  found  exliibited.  Of  these  we  rnaj'  call  attention 
to  tlic  Common  Crane  (Gnis  r/ru.i)  (601),  a  regular  summer  visitor 
to  Europe,  the  Sarus  Cranes  (Antuioiie)  of  which  A.  s/iorpei  (605) 
is  comnuin  in  Burniah,  and  A.  australasiaHa  iSiH)  is  well-known  in 
Australia  as  the  "  Native  Companion,"  and  the  great  African  Wattled 
Crane  {Bugeranus  carunculatus)  (606).  Two  very  elegant  forms  are 
the  Stanley's  Crane  {Tetraptrri/.r  pariidisca)  (608)  and  the  Demoiselle 
(Antltroijoides  viri/o)  (609);  but  perhaps  the  most  striking  are  the 
Crowned  Cranes  {Balcar'ica)  (610.611),  "ith  their  curious  brush-like 
crests.  The  eggs,  two  or  sometimes  three  in  number,  arc  laid  in  a  more 
or  less  extensive  nest  placed  on  the  ground. 

Order  X^■.  ARDEIFOR^MES.     Heron-tkiui:. 

'I'lie   ricrcnis.   Storks^  and   Ibises  included  in  this   Order  differ  from  mases 
the  Cranes  in  possessing  a  bridged  or  desmognathous  j)alate  (p.  209),  -"jS.  ?>4.1 
while  their  young  are  hatclied  in  a  helpless  condition  and  have  to  be 
led  in  the  nest  for  a  considerable  i)eriod. 

In  the  true  Herons  the  bill  is  almost  always  long,  straight,  pointed, 
often  serrated  on  the  edges,  and  specially  adapted  for  the  capture  of 
fish,  while  the  legs  and  toes  arc  long  and  suitable  for  wading.  In  spite 
of  their  structure,  apparently  so  nnsuited  for  an  arboreal  life,  they  perch 
I'cadily  on  trees,  and  many  species  build  their  loosely-constructed  nests 
of  sticks  among  the  branches,  either  singly  or  in  colonics. 

In  flight  the  head  is  drawn  l)ack  between  the  shoulders.  Many  ot 
the  species  assume  ornamental  plumage  during  the  nesting-season, 
cither  in  the  form  of  long  crest-feathers  or  elongate  plumes  on  the 
breast  or  back.  It  is  from  the  long  "  dorsal  train"  of  the  Little  Egret 
(GarzcUd  (/(irzetta)  (642)  and  the  Australian  Plumed  Egret  {M'-sophoiix 
jiltimiferu)  (849)  [PI.  XIV.],  as  well  as  other  allied  species,  that  the 
ornamental  plumes  known  among  dealers  as  "  Ospreys  "  are  procured. 
Those  who  purchase  and  wear  these  ornaments  would  do  well  to  bear 
in  mind  that  every  one  of  these  plumes  has  been  taken  from  the  bod\ 
of  a  bird  killed  while  bringing  food  to  its  nestlings,  which  have  con- 
sequently been  left  to  starve. 

The  majority  of  the  Herons  lay  eggs  of  a  beautiful  grccnish-blue 
colour,  but  those  of  many  of  the  Bitterns  are  white  or  yellowish- 
brown. 

Family  I.  AuDEiDyi!.     Herons.      (Plates  XIII.,  XIV. J 

The   Bitterns  (Bofannis),  of  which  examples   will  be   found   on  the  leases 
floor  of  Case  33,  are  seldom    found    far   from    marshes:    their   flight   -J-^- 34] 


(10 


itiKi)  i;ai,i.i;kv. 


is  laboured  and  slow,  but  tlicy  can  vuu  and  clinil)  among  the  water- 
plants  witli  surprising  ease.  Tliey  iVequently  attempt  to  conceal 
themselves  by  assuming  an  upright  position  with  the  bill  held  vertically, 
and  their  buft-stripcd  breast  turned  towards  the  spectator.  In  this 
position  they  so  closely  resemble  the  surrounding  reeds  that  they  easily 
escape  detection.  The  visitor's  attention  is  directed  to  the  Little 
Bittern  [Ardetta  minnta)  (622)  [PI.  XIII.],  which  has  been  mounted  to 
illustrate  this  marvellous  instinct  of  self-jireservation.  Owing  to  the 
draining  of  the  extensive  reed-swamps  the  Common  Bittern  [B.  sffl/aris-) 
(615),  formerly  one  of  our  regular  breeding-birds,  is  now  only  a  visitor 
to  our  shores,  and  its  booming  cry,  once  a  familiar  sound,  is  now  seldom 
heard  across  the  fens. 

Passing  by  the  handsome  Asiatic  Bitterns  (Dupetor)  (617),  the  Buff- 
i)ackcd  Heron  {Bubiilciis  luc/diia)  (621),  and  the  Sqnacco  Heron  {Ardeola 
i-nlloidfs)  (620),  we  come  to  the  Tiger-Bitterns  626-628),  very  hand- 
some birds  represented  by  several  genera,  and  the  (ircen  Herons 
{Bufo/ides)  (632-634),  which  form  a  connecting  link  between  the 
Bitterns  and  Herons. 

A  veiy  remarkable  type  with  wide,  sluje-shaped  bill  will  be  found  in 
the  Central  American  Boatbill  (CancroMci)  (629),  a  bird  of  nocturnal 
[Case  ;-!■).  I  habits.  On  the  floor  of  the  next  Case  several  species  (jf  the  nearly 
allied  Night-IIerons  (Xi/rticorax)  (637-639)  are  exhibited,  of  Avhieh  the 
chestnut-backed  species  are  the  most  handsome,  and  the  common  grey 
species  (.V.  nijcticorax)  (639)  is  an  almost  annual  visitor  to  our  shores. 
Tiie  Reef  Herons  {Dcm'wyretfa)  (645)  are  noteworthy  as  possessing 
two  phases  of  plumage — a  white  form  and  a  grey  one.  The  same 
phenomenon  is  exhibited  in  the  Blue  Heron  [Florida  cternlea]  (647) 
and  in  the  Reddish  Egret  {T)ichri)maiiussa  nifu)  (646),  where  one  form 
of  the  species  is  white  and  the  other  rufous.  One  of  the  most  graceful 
and  elegant  species  is  the  Great  White  Heron  [Hcrodias  alba)  (648), 
which  ranges  over  a  large  part  of  the  Old  World.  As  already  stated,  it 
is  from  this  species  and  from  the  Egrets  ( Garzettu)  in  their  nuptial 
plumage  that  the  ornamental  plumes  known  as  "ospreys"  are  procured. 

Passing  by  the  handsome  Purple  Heron  (Phoyx  purpurea)  (650),  we 
may  specially  draw  attention  to  the  Great  Heron  (Ardea  (jolinth)  i651), 
which,  as  its  name  implies,  is  the  giant  of  the  group;  and,  most  familiar 
of  all,  the  Common  Heron  (.1.  cinereu)  (652).  Heronries,  as  the 
colonies  of  nests  are  called,  are  found  in  many  parts  of  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland.  After  the  breeding-season  is  over,  the  majority  of  the  birds 
disperse  over  the  country.  Many  go  down  to  the  coasts  and  remain 
away  dui'ing  the  autumn  and  winter,  only  returning  in  spring,  but,  if 
the  season  is  a  mild  one,  they  begin  to  lay  in  the  l)eginuing  of  ^farcli 
or  even  eariicr.  Their  appetite  is  insatiable,  and  they  destroy  large 
numbers  of  fish,  fio^s.  voung  water-fowl,  and  even  water-rats. 


PLATE    XIII. 


t,  immature  liird. 

l.lriLK     BUTKKNS    (Jr,f,'//,I    mluilta)    SHOWING    IMMATUUK    HIKD    IN    I'ROTKCTIVF. 
ATTITUDE.       No.    622. 


sTdliKs.  Gl 

The  Storks,  wliicli  forru  the  next  section  of  this  order,  include  se\  eral 
families  represented  by  some  remarkable  forms. 

Family  II.  Kalv.niciimtid.i;.     Shok-bii.led  Storks. 

The  Whale-headed  Stork  or  Shoe-bill  (Balicuiceps  rc.r)  (654)  is  '  Casy  ;{•">. 
certainly  the  most  striking  and  extraordinary  of  all  the  Storks.  It  is 
confined  to  the  marsh-countries  of  the  U[>i)er  Nile,  and  thence  ranges 
southwards  through  the  great  system  of  lakes  as  far  south  as  Nyasa. 
Though  it  perches  freely  on  trees,  it  places  its  nest  in  the  reeds  or  high 
grass  immediately  on  the  water's  edge.  Its  principal  food  consists  ot 
fish  and  reptiles,  and  its  strongly  hooked  bill  is  specially  adapted  to 
seize  and  rip  open  turtles  and  the  mailed  fishes  with  which  the  water? 
of  Central  Africa  abound. 

Family  III.   ScoriD.i;.      Hamimek-head  Stokks. 

The  Hammer-head  (Scojjtis  uinbrett(i)  (655),  as  in  the  preceding  in-  Ca.-e  35. 
stance,  is  tiic  sole  representative  of  a  distinct  family,  which  inhabits 
Madagascar  and  a  large  part  of  the  Ethiopian  Kegion.  It  frequents 
wooded  districts,  and  is  generally  met  with  in  pairs.  The  uesting 
habits  are  rcmark;ible,  for  the  birds  build  an  enormous  structure  of 
sticks  lined  with  roots  and  clay,  with  an  entrance  in  the  side  and 
usually  a  flat  top.  This  mass,  sometimes  amounting  to  quite  !i  cart- 
load, is  placed  either  on  a  tree  or  rock,  and  coutains  from  three  to  five 
white  eggs. 

Family  \\ .  Cico.mid.i;.     Stouks. 

A  number  of  genera  are  included  in  the  true  Storks.  On  the  ground-  i'a>ts 
Hoor  of  the  Case  the  visitor  will  find  the  ungainly  and  rather  re[)ulsive-  ■"'•  "''J 
looking  Adjutant  [Lejitoptiliis  duhUfc)  (656),  with  its  l)are  pinkish-red 
head  and  neck  w  itli  a  pendulous  pouch,  -which  can  be  inflated  at  will  aud 
is  apparently  merely  ornaiueutal.  This  species  and  its  two  close  allies 
all  possess  the  beautiful  soft  under  tail-eoverts  known  as  "Marabou" 
feathers,  which  are  in  demand  for  purposes  of  millinery.  In  India  this 
bird  is  protected  ou  account  of  its  utility  as  a  scavenger,  aud  may  often 
be  seen  iu  the  streets  of  the  towns,  devouring  carrion  and  fearless  alike 
of  man  and  dog. 

The  genus  Ciconia  is  represented  by  the  White  Stork  (C  albio  (657) 
and  the  Black  Stork  (C.  nigra)  (658),  both  of  which  are  occasioual 
stragglers  to  Great  Britain.  As  in  their  allies,  the  absence  of  the 
so-called  "  intrinsic  muscles  "  deprives  them  of  voice,  and  the  ouly 
sound  they  can  produce  is  a  loud  clatter  made  by  beating  the  mandibles 
rnpidly  together.     If  flying,  they  hold  the  neck  straight  forward  like 


'!2  BIRD  (,Ai.i.i:m. 

tiie  ILiiiimci'-liead,  antl  may  thus  ahvays  be  distiuguishei  ou  the  wing 
from  Herons.  Many  of  the  species  are  migratory,  the  common  White 
Stork  being  a  summer  visitor  to  Europe,  vvlierc  it  is  carefully  protected 
and  encouraged  to  build  its  nests  ou  the  houses  and  in  the  gardens. 

A  very  large  and  striking  species  is  the  Saddle-billed  iitor\i{Ephi/ipi(j- 
rhynchus  .setwgaleiis'is)  (659),  which  inhabits  Tro])ical  Africa;  and  no 
less  liandsome  in  their  way  are  the  1?lack-necked  Jabiru  (Xnwrhyu- 
chus)  (660)  and  its  American  ally  {Mi/r/eri//)  (661).  The  Open-billed 
or  Shell-Storks  (Anastotnns)  (664,  665)  arc  remarkable  for  their  nut- 
eracker-like  bill,  so  well  adapted  for  breaking  open  molluscs,  which 
fonu  their  prim/ipal  food.  The  peculiar  gap  in  the  bill  is  not  seen  in 
the  young,  but  seems  to  develop  as  the  birds  get  older. 

Passing  over  the  White-necked  .Stork  (Dissura  luicrosce/is)  (663),  with 
its  curiously  deeply-forked  tail,  and  the  White-bellied  Stork  {Abd'unia 
dhdimii)  (662),  which  looks  like  a  miniature  Black  Stcjrk,  we  come  last 
[Case  35.  to  the  Wood-Ibises,  a  somewhat  isolated  group,  of  which  an  example 
will  bo  foutid  in  the  beautiful  African  species  {Pseudotantalas  ibis) 
(666),  with  its  striking  uliite,  black,  and  dull  crimson  plumage. 

Family  V.   IiiiniuE.     Ibises. 

[Case  ;i-").  The  Ibises  arc  numerously  represented,  and  all  maybe  readily  dis- 
tinguished from  their  near  allies  the  Spoonbills  and  from  the  Storks 
by  the  long,  curved,  "Curlew-like  "  bill,  with  the  nasal  groove  extending 
nearly  to  the  extremity.  The  White  and  Scarlet  Ibises,  belonging  to 
the  genus  Eudocimus  (667,  668),  are  striking  American  species,  espe- 
cially the  latter.  The  (ilossy  ibis  {P/c(/(idis  J'(ilciiic/!ii!<)  (669)  is  of 
special  interest,  having  visited  Great  Britain  on  many  occasions;  and 
other  striking  forms  will  be  found  in  the  crested  Madagascar  genus 
{Luphotihi-s)  (671),  the  African  Iladadah  Ibis  {Haycdas/dii)  (675),  the 
Wattled  l\ns{Bostri/c/iiu)  (674), and  the  curious  straw-necked  Australian 
form  (Carphibis)  (677).  The  most  interesting  of  all  is,  however,  the 
Sacred  Ibis  (Ibis  (C'thiopica)  (678),  which  was  regarded  with  great 
veneration  by  the  ancient  Egyptians,  as  is  shown  by  the  many  mummies 
of  these  birds  found  in  the  temples. 

Family  VJ.  Plaxaleid.e.     Spoonbills. 

K'ase  36  I  '^^^  Spoonbills,  represented  by  three  genera  and  several  species,  arc 
at  once  di>tinguished  from  all  the  other  long-legged  Storks  and  Herons 
by  their  remarkably  shaped  flattened  bill.  One  of  the  handsomest  is 
the  Roseate  Spoonbill  of  America  {JJaja)  (679),  and  another  striking 
bird  is  the  Australian  ally  {Platibiii)  (680)  ;  but  the  most  familiar  is 
the   common    species  (Platalea  leucerodia)   (682),    which    once   bred 


DUlKS.  (;,'3 

regularly  in  England,  but  is  now  only  a  straggler  tu  our  sliores.  Like 
its  allies,  it  almost  always  breeds  in  colonies,  the  nest  being  a  mass  of 
twigs,  flags,  or  sticks,  sometimes  placed  in  reed-beds  or  on  low  bushes, 
but  more  usually  in  a  tree.  Four  or  five  rough  white  eggs  with  red- 
brown  spots  are  the  full  complement  for  a  sitting. 


Order  XVI.   AXSEKIFOKMES.     J)rcK-Tiui!i;. 
Family  Anatid.k.     Mergansers,  Ducks,  Geese  &  Swans. 

Tlie  cosmopolitan  family  Anat'uhe,  which  aloue  comprises  this  Order,     L'ases 
includes  the  Mergansers,  Ducks,  (icese  and  Swans.     They  are  all  easily    y;.  Qeiitre 
recognised  by  their  external  characters,  such  as  the  flattened  or  partially    I'.iw.] 
flattened  bill,  short  legs  and  fully  webbed  toes,  wliich  distinguish  them 
from  the  Screamers  and  Flamingoes.     The  majority  of  the  species  find 
their  food  under  the  water,  which  is  drained  away  between  the  lamella; 
with  which   the  edges  of  the  soft-skinned  bill  are  j)rovi(led,  and  which 
act  like  a  sieve  in   retaining  the  substances  or  animalcules  fit  for  food. 
In  the  (iecse  these  lamelhe  are  harder  and  adapted   for  cutting  grass, 
while  in  the  jNIergansers  they  arc  recurved  to  prevent  the  cajjtured  fish 
from  escaping. 

A  curious  feature  about  many  of  the  Ducks,  apparently  peculiar  to 
all  those  species  in  which  the  male  is  more  brightly  coloured  than  the 
female,  is  that  after  the  young  are  hatched  the  male  moults  his  bright 
plumage  and  assumes  a  dull-coloured  dress  similar  to  that  of  the  female. 
This  change  is  no  doubt  protective,  for  during  the  moult  the  male, 
having  cast  all  his  flight-feathers,  is  practically  helpless.  The  "eclipse" 
plumage  lasts  for  several  weeks  till  the  quills  have  been  renewed,  and  is 
then  replaced  by  new  feathers  of  the  normal  bright  livery. 

On  the  lower  shelves  of  this  Case  tlie  visitor  will  find  various  species  [Case  ST.] 
of  "  Saw-hills,"  as  the  genus  Mert/uiiser  and  its  allies  are  comnujuly 
called.  The  Red-breasted  jNIerganser  {M.  serrator)  (684),  the  Goosander 
(M.  castor)  (685),  and  the  beautiful  Smew  (Men/us  u/M/us)  (686) 
are  all  three  British  species,  the:  two  former  breeding  in  the  north  of 
Scotland.  The  Merganser  is  much  the  commonest  and  particularly  hated 
by  fishermen  on  account  of  the  enormous  numbers  of  fish  it  catclics, 
iueludiug  small  trout  and  salmou-fry.  A  remarkably  handsome  species 
is  the  North- American  Hooded  Merganser  [Lophodytes  cucullatus)  (687), 
which  has  occasionally  been  obtained  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland 
during  severe  winter  weather.  The  Red-breasted  Merganser  hides  its 
nest  among  thick  heather  or  coarse  grass,  but  the  other  species  men- 
tioned almost  always  select  a  hollow  tree. 

The  genus   Merganetta.   represented  by   the   Chilian  ^lerganscr    or 


64'  111  l!ll   <;  M.I.KKV. 

'I'oi'i'i  lit  Duck  (.1/.  iiriiKitd)  (688',  tVi'(|iu'nts  the  lii,:;li  inouutiiiii  toiTciits 
of  the  .Vuiles^  and  foriii.s  a  link  between  the  true  JMergunsers  and  the 
stiff-tailed  Diving-Ducks,  but  diffeis  Irom  the  former  in  having  no  teeth 
on  the  edges  of  the  mandibles  and  tlie  bend  of  the  wing  armed  witli  a 
strong  spur.  The  New  Zealand  Soft-billed  Duck  {Hymetiola'inus  mala- 
rorhynclins)  (689)  is  worthy  of  special  notice  on  account  of  its  remark- 
able bill  w  itli  a  dependent  membrane,  suited  f'oi'  tlie  capture  of  insect 
hir\u-  on  wliicli  it  principally  feeds. 

[Case  ;17.  The  Sitiff-tailed  Ducks,  so-called  fiom  tlieir  rather  long,  narrow,  rigid 
tail-feathers  wliieh  are  often  carried  erect  when  the  bird  is  swinimiug, 
include  several  genera  of  which  representatives  will  \w  found  in  the 
White-headed  and  Australian  siiccies  of  Knxinuturu  (690,  691), 
the  American  ]\Iasked  form  {Xuinoiujx]  (693),  and  the  Musk  l)uck 
(li'r.'iiira  luljutit)  (692i.  Tlie  latter,  whose  name  is  derived  from  the 
strong  musky  odour  of  the  sitting  female,  fre(picnts  the  seas  as  well  as 
the  lakes  of  Australia  and  Tasmania.  It  is  much  the  largest  species  of 
the  group,  and  remarkable  on  account  of  the  leathery  chin-pouch  found 
in  both  sexes.  TTie  appendage  opens  under  the  tongue  and  is  largest 
in  the  male,  giving  the  l)ird  a  very  peculiar  aiipearance.  Like  its 
allies  it  is  au  expert  diver  and  can  remain  for  a  long  time  submerged. 
It  seldom,  if  ever.  Hies  in  the  daytime,  but  will  do  so  at  night.  The 
nest  is  placed  in  a  swamp  or  in  a  bank,  and  contains  two  or  three  olive- 
colonred  eggs. 

Of  Sea-Ducks  we  may  first  mention  the  Eiders,  which  ai'C  all  in- 
habitants of  northern  waters,  and  are  represented  by  Stcllcr's  Eider 
[Heiucoiiettu  xie/h'ii)  (694)  and  the  King  and  Common  Eiders  [Suiiititeria 
upectabiits  (695)  and  H.  iiioUis.viiia  (696)),  all  of  which  are  included  in 
the  Biitish  List.  Their  nests  supply  the  "  Eider  down  "  Avhich  forms  an 
important  article  of  export  in  countries  such  as  Norway,  where  the 
common  species  is  protected  by  la\\  and  consequently  exceedingly 
numci'ous.       It    will    be    noted    that    tlie    series    exhibited    shows    the 

[Ca.^e  :i7.  changes  from  summer  to  winter  plumage  in  both  the  old  and  youug 
drakes,  the  "eclipse"  or  intcrniediate  antiimn  |iluniage  being  specially 
interesting. 

[Cii,-e  .'it:."  The  South-American  Kosy-billed  Duck  [Mctopiaiui]  (697)  is  often 
ke])t  on  ornamental  waters  in  this  country.  The  Pochards  [Netta 
and  Nijrocu)  include  the  Red-crested  (698)  and  Eerruginous  (701) 
species,  both  of  which  occur  in  (ireat  Britain  as  occasional  stragglers  as 
well  as  the  Common  Pochard  (699)  and  the  Cauvas-back  (700)  from 
North  America,  famous  for  its  excellent  qualities  as  a  bird  for  the  table. 
The  Tufted  Duck  (FnVHjHla)  (703)  breeds  plentifully  on  the  lochs  and 
ponds  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  is  easily  recognised  by  the 
long    drooping   oe^-ipital    crest    developed    in    both    sexes;    the   Scaup 


Di(  ivs.  65 

(704),  belonging-  to  the  same  genus,  has  now  been  conclusively  proved  to 
breed  occasionally  in  the  north  of  Scotland.  The  drakes  of  both  the 
Golden-eye  (706)  and  J5iitt'el-hcadcd  (707)  Ducks  {Clangula)  are  very 
handsome  black-and-white  forms  and  included  in  the  list  of  British 
]5irds,  the  former  being  a  regular  winter  visitor,  but  the  latter  only  a 
rare  North  American  straggler.  Another  common  winter  visitoi'  to  our 
coasts,  the  Long-tailed  Duck  (Hare/da)  (708),  is  said  to  breed  occa- 
sionally in  the  .Shetlauds,  but  the  remarkably  handsome  Harlequin 
(709),  which  is  placed  next  to  it,  is  only  an  accidental  straggler  from 
the  north. 

The  Scoters  ((E(/eHH"«),  of  which  three  species  are  exhibited,  arc  all  ;0;i3«  38.  | 
British  Sea-ducks.  The  males  are  easily  recognised  by  their  black 
plumage,  the  common  species  [O.  nlyra)  (710)  being  a  numerous  bird 
on  our  coasts,  especially  in  winter.  Lastly  we  come  to  the  large 
Steamer  or  Logger-head  Duck  [Tacliijeres)  (713),  from  the  coasts  of 
Chile  and  the  Falkland  Islands ;  only  the  young  birds  are  able  to 
fly,  the  adults  losing  the  power  of  flight. 

Passing  by  the  curiously  marked  Freckled  Buck  (Sticto>ie///i)  (715)  [^Cus- .39,] 
of  South  Australia  at  the  foot  of  the  Case,  we  come  to  the  various 
species  of  Teal,  a  large  group  of  smaller  species  referred  to  several 
genera.  Among  the  most  striking  we  may  mention  the  very  hand- 
sonic  Cinnamon-Teal  {Qnerquedula  ci/atioj>h'r(i)  (717).  The  Gar- 
ganey  (Q.  circia)  (719),  the  Blue-winged  (Q.  discors)  (718),  and  the 
American  Teal  (Ne/lioii  caroline/ise)  (724)  are  all  on  the  British 
List,  but  the  two  latter  only  appeai-  as  accidental  visitors.  Closely 
resembling  the  hitter  we  have  the  Common  Teal  (A^.  crecca)  (725),  aud 
may  draw  attention  in  passing  to  the  drake  exhibited  in  complete  eclipse 
plumage  like  that  of  the  female.  The  most  beautiful  memi)er  of  the 
genus  is,  however,  undoubtedly  the  Baikal  Teal  [N.  furnwsuin)  (728), 
and  another  very  fine  bird  is  the  Falcated  Teal  [Eunetta  falcata)  (729) 
with  its  green  occipital  crest. 

Of  the  genus   Anas  which  follows   several   species    will    be    found.   [Case  WJ.j 
The  Spotted-billed  Duck  {A.  pcecUorhijncha)    (732)  is  a  familiar  Indian 
species,  aud  one  of  the  most  striking  is  the  Crested  Duck  {A.  cristata) 

(734)  from  South   America.     The  Wild  Duck  or  Mallard   [A.  boscas) 

(735)  is  shown  in  various  stages  of  plumage,  the  drake  of  the  middle  pair 
being  in  ''  eclipse  plumage.'' 

At  the  foot  of  this  Case  we  find  some  Ducks  with  remarkably  [<-'««l'40.] 
formed  bills  specially  adapted  for  retaining  small  shells,  insects,  and 
vegetable  matter.  The  Shovelers  {Spntida)  (737  k  738)  include 
four  species,  two  of  which  are  exhibited,  and  the  so-called  Pink-eyed 
Duck  [Malacorhynchus  membranacem)  (739),  which  has  a  patch  of  pink 
feathers  behind  the  eye.     The  Common   Shoveler  (,s'.  chjpeata)  (738) 


Of!  BIRD  f^ALLEllV. 

breeds  in  aiauy  parts  of  (ircat  Britain,  and  lias  greatly  iuercased  since 
the  Act  for  the  Preservation  of  Wild  Fowl  was  passed  in  187G. 

A  rare  and  all  bnt  extinct  form  is  the  Flightless  Duck  [Nesonclta 
avckhnKliai)  (740),  from  the  Auckland  Islands,  to  the  south  of  New- 
Zealand. 

The  Pintail  {Dafihi  aruta)  (742)  and  the  Gadwall  (Chuuklusnius 
strepsrus)  (743),  both  breed  in  Great  Britain,  but  are  very  local ;  males 
of  both  these  si)ecies  in  eclipse  j)lumage  resembling  that  of  the  female 
are  exhibited. 

Next  come  the  Wigeons  [Mareca),  of  which  the  typical  species  [M. 
penelopc)  (745)  is  one  of  the  commonest  British  Ducks,  while  the 
iVmericau  Wigeon  [M.amer'icana)  (746)  occasionally  visits  our  coasts  as 
a  straggler  from  North  America. 
[Case  40.]  The  Sheld-Ducks  [Ttulonia  and  Casurcu)  are  represented  by  various 
handsome  species,  but  none  more  strikingly  so  than  the  common  species 
T.  coriuita  (750),  which  is  an  abundant  resident  on  our  coasts.  The 
female  scarcely  differs  from  the  male  in  plumage,  the  markings  being 
oidv  rather  paler  and  less  defined.  This  species  has  a  curious  habit  of 
breeding  in  burrows,  which  it  either  excavates  for  itself  or  appropriates 
from  other  burrowing  animals.  The  only  other  member  of  tlie  genus 
is  the  I'emarkable  looking  Australian  form  [T.  radjali)  (751).  Of  the 
genus  Casarca  the  most  familiar  is  the  Ruddy  Sheld-Duck  {C.  rutila) 
(748),  which  occasionally  visits  our  coasts  in  considerable  numbers  and 
is  frequently  kept  on  ornamental  pieces  of  water.  The  inter-tropical 
genus  Dcndrocycna  includes  the  Tree  Ducks,  mostly  birds  of  chestnut 
or  brown  plumage.  Tiiey  are  remarkable  for  their  long  hind  toe,  and 
habitually  perch  on  trees,  placing  their  nest,  which  contains  six  to 
twelve  eggs,  in  a  hollow  tree,  on  a  stump,  or  in  long  grass.  The 
geographical  distribution  of  some  of  the  species  of  Tree  Duck  is  very 
remarkable,  D.  riduatu  (754)  being  found  in  S.  America  and  the  West 
Indies  as  well  as  Africa  and  Madagascar,  while  D.  fulva  (753)  ranges 
from  the  United  States  and  S.  America  across  Africa  and  Madagascar 
to  India  and  Burma.  The  last  species  in  this  Case  is  the  Egyptian 
Goose  (Chenahpeiv  (pgyptiaca)  (755). 
fCase  41.1  Commencing  at  the  foot  of  the  next  Case  we  come  to  the  "  Grey  " 
Geese  belonging  to  the  genus  Anser.  Of  these  the  Grey  Lag  [A.ferus] 
(760)  is  the  only  species  that  breeds  iu  Great  Britain,  a  few  pairs 
remaining  to  nest  in  the  north  of  Scotland  and  in  the  Hebrides.  The 
Pink-footed  (757),  Bean  (758),  and  White-fronted  Geese  (759)  are  all 
regular  visitors  to  our  coasts  during  the  colder  months,  while  the  Snow 
Goose  [Chen  hyperboreus)  (761),  a  North  American  species,  sometimes 
occurs  in  very  severe  weather.  The  Bernacle  Goose  [Branta  leucopsis) 
(763)  is  another  regular  winter  visitor,  being  more  numerous  along  our 


DVCKS.  67 

T^estcni  sliores,  and  its  handsome  rcd-brcasted  ally  [B.  luficoU'ts)  (765) 
very  rarely  wanders  as  far  west  as  Great  Britain.  The  commonest 
species  that  visits  us  is  undoubtedly  the  Brent-Goose  (Branta  bertticlu) 
(764),  which  is  specially  numerous  along  the  cast  coast  and  may  some- 
times be  seen  iu  almost  countless  multitudes.  The  two  forms  of  this 
l)ird  are  cxiiibited ;  the  one  having  the  underparts  pale  whitish-grcv, 
while  in  the  other  they  are  dark  grey  or  brown.  Another  familiar 
member  of  this  genus  is  the  large  Canada  Goose  {B.  canadensis)  (762), 
which  has  for  more  than  t^vo  centuries  been  domesticated  in  this 
country. 

The  Empcror-Goosc  {Pliilucti-)  (766)  and  the  Sandwich  Island  Goose    ra>e41."] 
{Nesochen)  (767)  arc  two  somewhat  remarkable  forms,  the  latter  being  a 
very   rare  species    which   inhabits   the   craters   and  lava-flows    on    the 
hills  of  the  Hawaiian  Islands. 

To  rather  a  different  group  belong  the  South  American  U])land-Goose 
and  its  allies  [Chlocphaya)  (768-770),  the  Abyssinian  Dwarf-Goose 
(Ci/anoc/ien)  (771),  and  the  -Australian  Maned  Goose  {Chenonetta)  (772). 
The  Upland  Goose  is  a  familiar  bird  to  many,  for  being  a  large,  hand- 
some and  hardy  species,  it  is  frequently  kept  on  ornamental  waters  in 
this  country. 

The  last  section  of  the  Anuthhe  includes  the  Spur-winged  Geese  C'a^e  ■):.'.] 
{P/eclroptcrus),  represented  by  the  N.E.  African  form  F.rlippelli  (773), 
characterised  by  its  high  frontal  knob,  and  the  ^lu-^covy  Duck  [Cuiiina 
nioschata)  (774)  of  Tropical  South  America,  with  its  bare  red  face 
and  fleshy  wattles,  frequently  kept  in  a  domestic  state  both  in  this  and 
other  countries.  Another  remarkable  form  is  the  Indian  and  N.  African 
Blaek-baekcd  Goose  [SarchUornis  meJanonota)  (775),  the  bill  of  the  male 
being  ornamented  with  a  fleshy  comb  which  is  about  2  inches  high  iu 
the  breeding-season.  Both  these  and  the  Muscovy  Ducks  (774)  nest  in 
hollow  trees. 

The  White-winged  Wood-Duck  {Asacornls  scutnlata)  (776)  and  the  ]('asij42.] 
Pink-headed  Duck  (Rhodonessa  caryophyllaccu)  (777),  the  only  members 
of  their  respective  genera,  are  both  peculiar  to  the  Indo-Burmese 
countries.  The  colouring  of  the  latter  is  specially  remarkable,  the 
delicate  pink  head  and  neck  being  quite  unlike  that  of  any  other  Duck. 
The  Pigmy  Geese  or  Cotton-Teal  (Netlupus)  (778-780)  are  all  natives 
of  the  Old  World,  and  several  species  representing  these  handsome  little 
birds  are  exhibited.  The  lovely  Summer-Duck  (782)  of  N.  America,  and 
the  still  more  splendid  Mandarin-Duck  (781)  from  N.E.  Asia  and  Japan, 
constitute  the  genus  .dB,c.  With  the  full-plumaged  male  of  the  former 
will  be  found  another  example  in  complete  eclipse  plumage  like  that  of 
the  female. 

The  Blaek-and-White  Goose   {Anseranus  seniipahnatus)  (783)  is  the 


68  BIRD  GALLEltV. 

representative  of  a  dibtinct  subfamily,  witli  the  toes  ouly  half-webbed 
and  the  hind  toe  very  long  and  on  a  level  with  the  other  toes.  Another 
striking  semipalmate  form,  also  the  type  of  a  different  subfamily,  is  the 
Cape  Barren  Goose  (Ccreopsis  noiue  hollundia)  (784)  from  South-east 
Australia  and  Tasmania. 
ICeiitii'  j]^  (^]^g  large  centre  Case  in  the  middle  of  the  Gallery  will  be  found 
the  Swans,  which  constitute  the  last  subfamily,  Ct/z/iiince.  Three  species 
visit  the  British  Islands,  viz.  the  Mute  or  Polish  Swan  {Cijymis  olor)  (785), 
commonly  seen  on  ornamental  waters,  the  'Wliooper  and  Bewick's  Swans 
(C.  niusicus  [Til)  and  C.  beincki  (788)).  Other  forms  exhibited  are 
the  North-American  Trumpeter  Swan  (C.  buccinator)  (786),  the 
South-American  Black-neeked  Swan  (C.  mclaiiconjplms)  (790),  and, 
most  graceful  of  all,  the  Australian  Black  Swan  [Cltenopsis  atrata)  (789), 
which  may  be  seen  with  its  cygnets  in  the  middle  of  winter  on  the 
ornamental  waters  in  the  Loudon  parks.  Lastly  the  Coscoroba 
Swan  (Cuscuroba  candidu)  (791;,  from  the  southern  parts  of  South 
America,  which  forms  a  connecting  link  between  the  Swans  and 
Geese. 


Older  XVII.  PHffiNICOPTERIFOKMES. 

Family  PHCE.N'icoPTEitiD-i;.     Fl.\mingoes. 

[Case  4:2  The  Flamingoes,  with  their  enormously  long  neck  and  legs  and  ciiriou.- 
and  decurved  bill  specially  adajited  for  sifting  their  food,  are  so  familiar  that 
Case.l  *^^y  require  no  description.  They  are  found  over  the  temperate  and 
tropical  regions  of  both  the  Old  and  New  Worlds,  the  best  known  being 
the  Common  Flamingo  (Phcenicopterus  ro.teus)  (792).  This  bird  is  a 
migrant  to  Southern  Europe  and  a  rare  straggler  to  Britain  during  the 
summer,  and  usually  frequents  the  brackish  and  salt-water  marshes  near 
the  sea-coast,  where  it  congregates  in  large  colonies  and  builds  mud- 
nests  which  rise  like  little  islands  some  inches  above  the  surface  of  the 
water  [see  group  in  Centre  Case] .  It  was  long  supposed  that  the  birds 
incubated  their  single  egg  by  standing  astride  their  nests  with  their  feet 
resting  in  the  water,  but  it  has  now  been  ascertained  that  their  legs 
are  doubled  up  under  them  and  their  loug  necks  gracefully  curled  awav 
over  their  backs.  As  in  the  Ducks,  the  young  are  able  to  run  as  soon 
as  they  are  hatched.  Other  forms  shown  are  the  Ruddy  Flamingo 
{F.  ruber)  (793)  from  Tropical  America,  and  the  Small  Flamingo 
[P/'.cenicunaias  minor)  (794),  which  ranges  from  Africa  to  ludia. 


scitKA:Mi:ns 


-ricLK  \\s.  69 


Onlcr  Will.  PAL A:\IEDEirOiniES. 

Family  Palamedeid.k.     S(  reamers. 

This  Order  includes  only  three  speeies  referable  to  two  genera,  which,  i  <  'a-<e  42.] 
though  most  nearly  allied  to  the  Ducks,  differ  from  them  in  many 
important  particulars.  The  bill  is  short  and  fowl-like  with  a  decurved 
tip,  without  lamiUcC  or  tooth-like  processes  on  the  sides,  and  the  long 
toes  arc  only  partially  united  by  rudimentary  webs.  The  skeleton 
shows  some  very  remarkable  peculiarities,  such  as  the  absence  of  uncinate 
processes  to  the  ribs. 

The  three  known  species  are  all  peculiar  to  South  America,  and  are 
represented  by  the  Derbian  Screamer  {C/iauim  chavaria)  (795),  a  heavy 
looking  bird  with  the  wing  strongly  armed  with  a  couple  of  powerful 
sjiurs.  They  frequent  marshes  and  shallow  water,  wading  and  swimming, 
and  in  spite  of  their  weight  are  birds  of  powerful  flight,  soaring  in 
immense  spiral  circles  till  they  are  almost  out  of  sight.  Standing  with 
head  thrown  back,  both  male  and  female  utter  a  very  loud  cry,  which 
may  be  heard  at  a  distance  of  two  miles. 

Screamers  arc  often  kept  by  the  natives  in  a  state  of  domesticity,  and 
prove  efficient  guardians  of  the  poultry-yard  against  birds  of  prey  and 
other  enemies. 


Order  XIX.  PELECANIFORMES.     Pelicans  and  allies. 
The  members  of  this  order,  often  called   Steyanopodea,  are  character-  \C-a<q= 


ised  by  having  the  hind  too  united  to  the  second  toe  by  a  web,  so  that 
all  four  toes  are  webbed.  In  this  respect  they  differ  from  all  other 
birds.  They  are  sociable  in  their  habits,  and  as  a  rule  feed  and  nest  in 
companies,  their  food  consisting  almost  exclusively  of  fish. 

Eamily  I.  Phalacrocoracid.e.  Darters  and  Cormorants. 
The  four  species  of  Darters  or  Snake-birds  (Plot its)  (797-799),  two 
of  which  are  exhibited  on  the  lowest  shelf  of  this  Case,  are  fresh-water 
divers  inhabiting  the  tropical  and  warmer  temperate  regions  of  the 
world.  They  are  remarkable  looking  birds,  with  the  bill  long  and 
pointed  and  the  edges  of  the  mandibles  serrated  to  enable  the  bird  to 
hold  its  slippery  prey.  As  may  be  seen  by  examination  of  the  skeleton 
(798),  the  articulation  of  the  cervical  vertebra;  is  very  remarkable  and 
the  curious  "  kink  "  in  the  neck,  so  characteristic  of  these  birds,  is  really 
a  spring-like  arrangement  worked  by  powerful  muscles.  When  the 
bird  spears  a  fish  the  "  spring  "  is  released  and  the  bill  darts  forward 


l:i,^. 


70  lUlU)  GALLKKY. 

with  liglituiiig  speed  and  imcrriiig  aim,  and  the  prey  is  transfixed  in  a 
moment.  The  bii'd  tlicn  rises  to  the  surface,  and  jerking  the  fish  into 
the  air  dexterously  catehes  and  swallows  it.  The  flight  is  laboured,  but 
in  the  water  the}'  arc  perfectly  at  ease,  swimming  with  oidy  the  head 
and  neck  exposed^  or  if  danger  threatens  with  only  the  beak  above  the 
surface.  When  diving  in  pursuit  of  fish,  the  wings  are  but  little  used, 
the  feet  acting  as  powerful  paddles.  The  nest,  which  is  made  of  sticks 
and  lined  with  roots  or  moss,  is  placed  in  a  tree  or  bush,  generally 
ill  company  with  many  others.  The  eggs  arc  from  two  to  five  in 
uumbcr,  ciiiilky  greenish  blue,  and  much  like  those  of  Cormorants  but 
smaller. 

[Case  t-'i.  I  About  forty  species  of  Cormorants  [Phu/acrocora.v)  (800-806)  an- 
known,  distrihntcil  over  almost  the  entire  face  of  the  globe.  The  bill 
is  more  raptorial  than  in  the  Darters  and  furnished  with  a  hook  at  the 
end.  Two  species  occur  commonly  on  our  coasts,  the  Common 
Cormorant  {P.  carho)  (800)  and  the  Green  Cormorant  or  Shag 
[P.  (jraciiliis)  (801).  The  ornamental  white  plumes  on  the  head  and 
neck  of  the  former  and  the  crest  on  the  latter  arc  only  assumed  during 
the  breeding-season  and  aftcrwai'ds  shed.  Examples  of  both  these 
species  in  adult  and  immature,  brown  or  brown-and-white,  plumage  are 
exhibited.    Almost  all  the  species  are  black,  or  black  and  white,  more  oi 

[Case  4-3.]  less  glossed  with  puri)lish,  blue  or  green.  A  uumbcr  of  very  handsome 
1\  hitc-breasted  sjoecics  inhabit  the  colder  parts  of  the  southern  hemi- 
sphere, ranging  from  South  America  to  New  Zealand.  An  example  of 
these  will  be  found  in  the  White-bellied  Cormorant  (P.  ulbivenicr) 
(802) ;  and  two  handsome  little  species  from  New  Zealand  and  Aii'^halia, 
the  Frilled  and  White-throated  Cormorants  (P.  melanolencus  (805;  and 
P.  brcvirustris  (806)),  are  also  exhibited. 

Family  II.  Sui.id.e.     Gaxnets. 

[Case  4.;.]  The  Gannets  or  Boobies  (.S'm/m)  (807-810)  are  a  widely  distributed 
group  of  oceanic  birds  represented  by  about  a  dozen  species.  They  are 
easily  recognised  by  their  long,  stout,  tapering  bill,  sharply  pointed  at 
the  tip  and  serrated  on  the  cutting  edges  of  the  mandibles,  their  long 
pointed  wings  and  wedge-shaped  tail.  All  are  birds  of  very  powerful 
flight  and  capture  the  fish  ou  which  they  prey  by  diving,  the  headlong 
plunge  being  made  with  great  velocity  from  a  considerable  height. 
One  of  the  most  familiar  is  the  Common  Gannet  or  Solan  Goose 
[S.  bassana)  (807),  a  well-known  British  species  which  nests  at  several 
stations,  such  as  Liindy  Island,  Grassholm,  the  Bass  Rock,  Ailsa  Craig, 
St.  Kilda,  the  Little  Skellig,  &c.  The  nest,  a  mass  of  seaweed  and 
grass,  is  placed  on  a  ledge  of  rock  or,  in  some  cases,  on  a  low  tree,  and 


i'i:licans.  71 

the  eggs  liave  :t  pale  blue  shell  overlaid  with  a  chalky-white  coating. 
The  closely  allied  Australian  species  (S.  serrator)  (808),  also  exhi- 
l)ited,  diflers  in  having  the  two  middle  pairs  of  tail-feathers  black.  A 
more  slender  and  widely  distriljuted  form  is  the  Red-footed  Gannet 
(<S'.  plscalor)  (809)  ;  and  a  ditfercnt  type  is  shown  in  the  Brown 
(iannet  or  Booby  (-S'.  sulci)  (810),  which  has  an  almost  cosmopolitan 
<listriljntion. 

Family  III.  Pelkcamd.t:.     Pi:licaxs. 

Pelicans  (Pe/ecanus)  (811  815)  arc  so  extraordinary  in  their  appear-  I('a.?e44.] 
ancc  that,  when  once  seen,  they  can  never  be  mistaken  for  any  other 
bird.  The  great  ungainly  body,  long  flat  bill  hooked  at  the  tip, 
enormous  gular  pouch,  short  legs,  and  waddling  gait  make  up  a  truly 
remarkable  whole.  About  nine  species  are  kuown  to  inhabit  the  tropical 
and  temperate  parts  of  the  world,  frequenting  not  only  tidal  waters 
but  lakes  and  swampy  districts,  where,  being  very  gregarious  in  their 
habits,  they  often  congregrate  in  great  numbers. 

In  S[)ite  of  their  ungainly  appearance  they  are  perfectly  at  home  both 
on  the  wing  and  in  the  water,  and  with  head  drawn  back  between  the 
shoulders  and  legs  extended  beneatli  the  tail,  tly  with  great  power. 
They  frequently  soar  in  a  spiral  to  great  altitudes,  and  with  alternate 
flapping  and  sailing  movements  circle  for  hours. 

The  food,  which  consists  almost  exclusively  of  fish,  is  generally 
captured  by  diving,  but  not  infrequently  a  number  of  birds  combine 
together  and  forming  single,  double,  or  even  triple  lines  across  a  sheet 
of  water,  drive  the  fish  before  them  towards  the  shallows,  where  they 
are  easily  captured.  The  AVhitc  Pelican  {P.  unocrotalus)  (811)15  the 
most  familiar,  and  in  former  times  was  a  native  of  Great  Britain.  The 
Dalmatian  Pelican  (P.  critijjKs)  (812)  is  the  largest  of  all  aiul  has  a  [('ase44.J 
curious  crest  of  loose  curled  feathers,  and  the  handsome  Brown  Pelican 
(P.faitciis)  (815)  is  the  smallest.  The  Australian  form  (P.  conspici/- 
Intiis)  (813)  has  a  bare  space  round  the  eye  enclosed  by  a  ring  of  feathers. 

The  North  American  White  Pelican  (P.  erythrorhytichus)  (814)  is 
remarkable  for  the  curious  horny  excrescence  which  is  developed  on  the 
upper  mandible  during  the  bieeiling-seasou  and  afterwards  shed.  Two 
of  these  horny  discs,  tlic  castings  of  previous  years,  arc  exhibited  with 
the  head  of  this  species. 

Family  lY.   Fregatid.i;.     Frioate-Bikds. 

This  family  is  represented  by  only  two  species,  which  are  exhibited  in   [Case  44.] 
the  Case.    Both  the  Greater  F'rigate-Bird  or  :Man-of-war  Bird  {Fregata 
aijviln)  (816)  and  the  Lesser  Frigate-Bird   (F.  ariel)  (817)    inhabit  the 


lUni)  GALLERY. 


intertropical  oceans,  and  in  outward  appearance,  as  well  as  in  liabits, 
resemble  some  of  the  lower  Birds  of  Prey,  such  as  Kites.  Their  strongly 
hooked  hill,  large  guJar  pouch,  very  short  legs  feathered  to  the  toes 
whicli  arc  only  united  by  very  small  webs,  immensely  long  wings,  and 
deeply  forked  tail,  are  all  striking  characters.  Their  powers  of  flight 
are  perhaps  superior  to  those  of  any  other  bird,  and  they  emjiloy  their 
great  speed  to  overtake  and  rob  tlic  smaller  sea-birds,  harassing  them 
till  they  drop  or  disgorge  their  prey,  which  is  dexterously  caught  in 
mid-air  and  swallowed.  They  also  kill  and  devour  numbers  of  young 
birds,  even  those  of  tlieii'  own  species.  The  nest  is  made  of  sticks  and 
placed  in  trees  or  bushes,  sometimes  on  the  bare  I'ocks.  The  single 
egg  is  very  similar  in  appearance  to  that  laid  by  the  Cormorant,  and 
both  sexes  take  part  in  the  duties  of  incubation. 

Family  V.  Phaethontid.e.     Tropic-Birds. 

[Case  44.]  Only  six  species  of  Tropic- or  Boatswain-Bird  {Pliaethun)  (818-822) 
comprise  this  small  family  and,  as  their  name  implies,  inhabit  the  inter- 
tropical oceans.  They  are  easily  distinguished  from  the  other  Pelican- 
like  Birds  by  their  sharp-])ointed  bill  serrated  aloug  the  edges,  and  by 
the  middle  pair  of  tail-feathers  being  greatly  elongate  and  attenuated. 
The  legs  are  so  very  short  that  the  gait  on  laud  is  awkward  and 
shuffling,  and  they  can  only  rise  with  difficulty  from  the  level  ground. 
Tropic-Birds  are  often  met  with  hundreds  of  miles  from  land,  and  their 
rapid  flight  is  performed  by  quick  pulsations  of  the  wings.  They 
will  often  follow  vessels  for  hours,  sometimes  soaring  high  overhead  in 
circles  or  settling  on  the  rigging.  No  nest  is  made,  and  the  single 
mottled  purplish-brown  egg  is  generally  laid  in  a  hole  or  crevice  of  the 
cliff,  though  sometimes  a  hollow  tree  is  resorted  to.  Of  the  three 
species  exhibited  the  most  striking  is  perhaps  the  Red-tailed  Tropic- 
Bird  [P.  rubricauda)  (818)  with  its  silver-white  plumage  and  scarlet 
streamer-s,  while  the  Fulvous  Tropic-Bird  (P.  fttlvus)  (820)  from  the 
Indian  Ocean  is  another  remarkable  form. 


Order  XX.  CATHARTIDIFORMES. 

Family  Cathartid.e.      Turkey-Vultures. 

|Ca-i-4.").]  These  aberrant  Birds  of  Prey  are  found  only  in  America.  In  their 
habits  they  closely  resemble  the  Vultures  of  the  Old  World,  but  they 
difter  so  much  from  the  true  Accipitrine  Birds  in  their  anatomy  and 
osteology  that  they  are  now  placed  in  a  separate  order.  We  may 
specially  mention  the  peculiarity  of  the  nostrils,  which  are  pervious  and 
not  divided  from  one  another  by  a  bony  septum  or  partition. 


VULTUHES.  ''J 

Chief  of  the  New  World  Vultures  is   the   gigautic  Coudor  of  the  'JM_^ 
Andes  (Sarcor/uniijjht(S  t/ri/pJiKs)    i824),  exhibited  iu  one  of  the  ecntral  '^■"'^■-' 
cases  iu  the  Bay.     It  is  oue  of  tlie  largest  livii>g  birds,  the  expanse  of 
tlie  wiugs  in  some  examples  attaining  to  nine  feet  or  more,  as  may  be 
seen  by  an  inspection  of  the   tine  adult  male  mounted  with  its  wings 
partially  expanded.     Other  remarkable  birds  of  this  group  (Case  45)  are 
the  Californian  Vulture  {Pseudoynjjihns  califonuanns)  (825),  now  only 
found  in  Southern  and  Lower  California,  but  formerly  extending  much 
further  north  to  British  (Columbia;  the  King-Vulture  (Gijpagus jnipa) 
(826),  with  its  brilliantly  coloured  bare  face;    and  the  Black  Turkey- 
Vulture  [Catharisfes  iirubii)  (827)  and  its  allies,  common  in  the  towns 
and  villages  from  the  southein  I'nited  States  southwards.     These  latter 
Avheu  not  molested  Ijccome  remarkably  tame  and  fearless,  walking  about 
the  streets  in  search  of  carrion. 


Order  XXI.  SERPENTAllllFOKMES. 

Family  SEia'E.vT.iitiiD.i;.     Siccret.\ry-Birds.      (Plate  Xll.  tig.  2.) 

Tills  remarkable  group  of  the  Birds  of  Prey  includes  only  two  African 
species  belonging  to  the  genus  Serpinturiiis ;  S.  serpentarius  (828) 
being  confiued  to  the  southern  and  eastern  parts  of  that  Continent, 
while  S.  (janihiensis  ranges  from  Senegambia  to  Southern  .Vbyssinia. 
The  name  "  Secretary  "  is  derived  from  the  tuft  of  long  feathers  hanging 
over  the  back  of  the  head,  which  are  supposed  to  resemble  the  quill- 
])eus  au  ideal  secretary  would  carry  behind  his  ear.  The  legs  are 
abnormally  long,  the  toes  partially  webbed,  and  the  middle  pair  of 
feathers  of  the  wedge-shaped  tail  arc  greatly  elongate.  Tiiese  birds 
live  almost  exclusively  on  Reptiles  and,  as  they  destroy  large  numbers 
of  poisonous  snakes,  are  strictly  protected  by  law.  The  Secretary 
usually  kills  its  prey  by  delivering  rapid  forward  kicks  with  its  powerful 
feet,  beating  to  pulp  rats  and  such-like  ;  but  if  a  venomous  snake  is 
attacked  the  body  is  carefully  shielded  with  its  outspread  wings.  It  is 
said  to  kill  reptiles  occasionallj'  by  carrying  them  aloft  and  dropping 
them.  The  huge  nest  of  sticks  etc.  is  ])laced  in  a  bush  (jf  tree,  and  tiie 
two  or  three  eggs  are  white  with  rusty  markings. 


Case  io. 


Order  XXII.  ACCIPITRIFORMES. 
A^ULTURES,  Hawks,  axd  Ospreys. 
This  Order  includes  all  the  remaining  Birds  of  Prey,  characterised  by   [Cases 
their  short,  strong,  sharp-edged  beak,  with  the  upper  mandible  curved  ^^^^'^^■^ 
downwards  and  terminating  iu  a  pointed  hook,  and  by  having  all  four 


'  i  BIRD    CALLKKi. 

toes  armed  -with  .sti-oiig  curved  claws.  By  means  of  these  poweiful 
weapons  they  arc  able  to  seize  and  kill  their  prey  and  to  tear  up  the 
flesh.  They  are  monogamous,  and  the  female  is  generally  larger  than 
the  male.  The  eggs  are  few  in  number,  and  the  young  when  hatched 
are  in  a  naked  and  helpless  condition. 

Three  families  are  recognised,  the  first  including  the  Vultures 
{Vulturido'),  the  second  the  Eagles  and  Hawks  [Fakoniche],  and  the 
third  the  Ospreys  {Pdhdinnithe). 

Family  I.  Vultirid.i;.      ^  ri/rriiEs. 

[Case.'s        These  Birds  of  Prey  inhabit  the  tropical  and  subtropical  portions  of 

45,  40    f|,(,  oifl  World,  where  thev  represent  the  Turkey  Vultures  (Cat /lart idee) 

and  ■  1  ■  ■ 

Table-  of  America.     As  has  already  been  mentioned  above,  they  diflcr  from  the 

'^'''^'^-J  latter  birds  in  many  important  particulars,  but  in  their  habits  they  arc 

vei-y  similar.     They  feed  chiefly  on  the  carcases  of  dead  animals  which 

their  keen  sight  enables  them  to  discover,  and  though  many  naturalists 

have  maintained  that  it  is  chiefly  by  the  sense  of  smell  that  they  find 

their  prey,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  this  is  a  mistake,  as  has  been 

])roved  by   experiments.     Their  claws  being  short   and   rather  blunt. 

Vultures    rarely  attack    and   kill   living  animals  :    they   arc   cowardly 

sluggish  birds,  endowed  with  extraordinary  powers  of  flight. 

[Ciii^L- 4.",.j  The  Cinereous  or  Black  Vulture  (  F. ///o««<:-//«6)  (829),  ranging  from 
Southern  Europe  to  China,  is  the  only  rcpresentati\e  of  the  genus 
Viilliir.  It  is  rather  solitary  in  its  habits,  l)rpeding'  singly  in  trees  and 
[Table-  not  in  colonies  like  the  Griflon-Vultures  (Gi/ps  fidrns)  (830),  all  stages 
easi-.  yf  •^^]l;p],^  from  the  nestling  to  the  adult,  will  be  found  exhibited  in  the 
adjoining  centre  Case.  This  southern  European  species  is  one  of  the 
most  familiar,  and   is  specially   numerous   in   Spain,   where   it  breeds 

[Case  4").]  in  caves  in  the  jjerpcndicular  crags  of  the  Sierras.  Another  represen- 
tative of  tlie  genus  is  the  Himalayan  Griffon-A'ulture  (G.  hiin(daijensh) 
(831),  and  a  closely  allied  form  the  White-headed  ^'ulture  [Lophogypx 

[Case  4c..^  occijj/falis)  (832)  will  lie  found  on  the  floor  of  the  next  Case  together 
with  the  Sociable  or  Eared  Vulture  [Otuyyps  aurlcularis)  (833)  and  the 
Egyptian  Vulture  [Neophron  percnopterus)  (834),  which  has  on  more 
than  one  occasion  wandered  to  Great  Britain. 

Eaniily  II.  Ealcoxid.i:.     Eagi.es  axu  Hawks. 
(Plates  XV.,  XVI.,  XXIV.) 

[Case  4(1."  Almost  all  the  remaining  Birds  of  Prey  are  included  in  this  family, 
and  are  divided  into  six  subfamilies,  the  Caracaras  {Pohjhorhue),  the 
Long-legged  Hawks  (Accipi/rinte),  the  Buzzards  {Bideoiihice),  the 
Bearded  \'ultnres  (< hjiia'cliiuc'] ,  the  Eagles   [Aqtiilina/],  and  the  Faleon> 


HAWKS.  /  .) 

{ Falcoiii lite) .  The  Carrion-Hawks  or  Caraearas  are  represented  by  the 
tlircc  American  genera  Polyhorus  (835  &  836),  Ihtjctcr  (837  K-  838), 
ami  Mi/r&r/o  (839),  whieli  differ  from  all  the  other  subfamilies  in  having- 
tlie  inner  as  well  as  tlie  outer  toes  united  to  the  middle  one  by  a  web. 
I'lie  brightly  coloured  naked  skin  of  the  cheeks  and  throat  gives  them 
a  very  ^'uUulille  appearance,  and  their  food  consists  hugely  of  carrion 
.supplemented  by  birds,  i-eptiles,  and  frogs,  etc.  They  are  more  or  less 
terrestrial  in  their  habits,  their  long  legs  enabling  them  to  walk  and  run 
with  ease,  and  their  partially  webbed  feet  assist  them  in  traversing 
mai'shy  ground  in  search  of  their  food.  They  are  more  or  less  gregarious, 
often  hunting  in  families  or  small  parties  and  roosting  in  companies. 

The  first  of  the  Long-legged  Hawks  (Acci/iifrincE)  is  the  curious  L^-'iise  46] 
Handed  Clymuogene  (Poh/borohles  ti//jiciis')  (840-,  from  tropical  Africa, 
which  feeds  almost  entirely  on  lizards  and  frogs.  Xcxt  come  the 
Harriers  (C'ircHs),  of  which  a  good  many  dilYereiit  sj)ceies  are  known 
and  easily  recognised  by  their  long  slim  form  and  the  curious  facial 
ruft',  which  gives  them  a  superficial  resemblance  to  the  Owls.  Three 
species,  the  Heu-Harrier  (841 1,  Montagu's  Harrier  (842),  and  i\larsh- 
Harrier  or  Moor-Buzzard  (844  ,  are  found  in  Great  Britain,  but 
owing  to  their  well-known  partiality  for  eggs  and  young  birds  their 
number.s  have  been  greatly  diminished.  All  make  their  nest  on  the 
ground  and  lay  white  eggs.  Other  allied  genera  represented  are  the 
Harrier-Hawks  (Micrasfur)  (846  &  847)  from  8.  America,  and  tlu 
Black  Goshawk  [Geranosphtus  /i/i/eri  (845). 

The  Onc-banded  Buzzard  (I'drabnteo)  (849)  and  the  ("iianting  Gos-  [Case  17.j 
hawk  (MeUvrdx)  (850)  require  no  special  remark,  but  the  latter  is 
said  to  utter  a  mellow  piping  song.  Of  the  true  Goshawks  (As/iir). 
of  which  many  species  are  known,  attention  may  be  drawn  to  the 
remarkable  white  Australian  species  {A.  nocw-liolluiidid')  i851),  the 
Common  Goshawk  [A.  palumburius)  (857),  wiiich  still  occasionally 
occurs  in  the  British  Islands  and  is  greatly  valued  in  Falconry  for  the 
pursuit  of  hares  and  rabbits,  etc.,  and  its  North  American  representative 
{A.  atncapilhts)  (853).  A  somewhat  different  Crested  Goshawk  will  be 
fotindin  A.tiiviryatus  (860).  Closely  allied  to  these,  but  distinguished 
by  the  longer,  more  sleuder  legs  and  feet  and  the  very  long  middle  toe, 
the  Sparrow-Hawks  (Accljiiter)  are  represented  by  the  common  species  Lt'ase4r.j 
[A.  nisiis)  (866),  a  plentiful  bird  in  the  British  Isles  in  spite  of  the 
numbers  that  are  annually  destroyed  by  gamekeepers  and  others.  It 
is  sometimes  trained  in  this  country  to  take  Partridges,  Quails,  or 
Blackbirds,  and  in  India  and  .Japan  is  still  prized  Ijy  falconers.  The 
smallest  member  of  the  genus  is  the  Little  Sparrow-Hawk  [A.  niinullus) 
(865)  from  South  Africa,  and  one  of  the  largest  is  Cooper's  (A.  cooperi) 
(862)    from    temperate    North    America.       After    the    rare    Radiated 


76  lUKl)  (iALLEKY. 

Gosliawk  (Eri/l/irotriorc/i/s  r(/(/i(it/is)  (867).  tlic  Browu  Buzzard  [Hclcro- 
spiz'ms  ti/cr/i//oiia/is)  (868),  and  tlie  Tjiing-wingcd  Buzzard  (  Tac/ii/triori'/iia 
(//bicauda/iis)  (869),  wc  come  to  the  true  Buzzards  [Biiteo],  wliicli 
somewhat  resemble  small  l^^agles  in  tlicir  tliglit  aud  liabits,  ])rcyiug 
on  the  smaller  mammals  such  as  rabbits,  rats,  and  mice,  as  well  as 
reptiles  aud  insects.  They  do  not  capture  their  prey  on  the  wing,  aud 
consequently  seldom  kill  birds  except  young  ])Oultry.  Tliey  must  be 
regarded  as  useful  birds  to  both  farmer  aud  agriculturist.  A  very 
hand.some   species   is  the   Red-backed  Buzzard  (B.  erythronotus)  (870) 

[Case  48.  from  S.  America.  The  Common  Buzzard  [B.  buteo)  (875)  is  still  fairly 
numerous  in  various  parts  of  Great  Britain.  As  will  be  seen  from  the 
specimens  exhil)itedon  the  lowest  shelf  of  the  Case,  the  plumage  varies 
greativ,  some  old  bii'ds  being  almost  uniform  dark  brown  above  and 
below.  A  large  South  American  form  will  be  found  in  the  Giant 
Buzzard  [Gtranoaetus  melanoleiiciis)  (876). 

[Case  48.  Next  come  the  Buzzard-Hawks  of  America  represented  by  several 
genera,  7J«/eo/rt  (877),  Astunna  (878),  and  Rupornis  (879),  and  the  very 
handsome  black-and-white  species  such  as  the  Wliite-spotted  lluzzard 
(Leiicop/enus-  inehinnps)    (881). 

Tlie  Harpies  include  five  very  large  powerful  species  placed  in  four 
genera,  all  of  which  are  represented  in  the  Case.  The  Crowned  Ilarpy 
(Har/ii/lialiaetus  coronatm)  (884),  the  Guiana  Crested  Harpy  [Morphnm 
(/ulanemis)  (885),  and  the  true  Harpy  (Tlirasaotiis  hnrpijia)  (886)  are 
all  long-crested  forms  from  South  and  Central  America  ;  and  the  latter, 
whose  range  extends  into  Mexico  and  Texas  (where  the  species  is  locally 
known  as  the  "  Lobo  volante  "  or  "  Winged  Wolf  "),  is  one  of  the  most 
splendid  as  well  as  the  most  powerful  of  all  tlie  Birds  of  Prey.  It  feeds 
chiefly  on  mammals,  including  fawns,  monkeys,  foxes,  and  moderate 
sized  pigs.  An  allied  form,  Harpyopsis  nov(e-ffui?iete  (887),  found  in 
New  Guinea,  has  the  general  ajtpearaucc  of  a  great  (ioshawk  and  is 
said  to  prey  on  Tree-Wallabies. 

[Ga.se  48.]  The  Bearded  Vultures  or  Lajmmergeicrs  (888)  form  the  next  sub- 
family  Gijpa'etiiue ,  wdiich  includes  two  very  large  species,  one  found 
from  South  Europe  to  the  Himalayas  and  the  other  in  Africa. 
They  arc  much  like  Vultures  in  their  habits  but  not  such  foul  feeders. 
Like  the  Egyptian  Vultures  (Neophron)  they  are  said  to  obtain  the 
marrow  from  bones  by  carrying  them  up  into  the  air  and  letting  them 
fall  from  a  great  height,  and  land-tortoises  are  similarly  treated.  Hence 
the  name  "  Bone-breaker  "  by  which  they  are  often  known.  Their  flight 
is  grand  in  the  extreme,  but  the  stories  of  their  having  carried  off  children 
are  highly  improbable,  for  in  spite  of  their  spread  of  wing  they  lack 
the  strength  of  foot  to  do  so. 

[Caw  49."       The  Eagles  [AquUinm)  are  divided  into  two  sections.     The  first,  with 


the  legs  feathered  to  the  toes,  iueliules  some  of  the  best  known  Birds 
of  Prey  such  as  the  Golden  Eagle  (Aqiii/a  chri/sartus)  (890),  ranging  over 
Europe,  N.  Asia,  and  N.  America,  the  Imperial  Eagle  (.1.  heliacii)  (891), 
and  its  Spanish  ally  {A.  adalberti)  '893),  the  Spotted  Eagle  [A.  mactilata) 
(892),  Verreaux's  Eagle  {A.  verreauwi)  (894),  and  the  Great  Wedge-tailed 
Eagle  of  Australia  [Urouetus  audd.c]  (895),  which  forms  a  connecting 
link  between  the  true  Eagles  and  the  Ltemmergeiers.  The  Golden  Eagle 
still  breeds  in  some  numbers  in  the  hiirhlands  of  Scotland  and  in  Ireland, 


b' 


and  the  Spotted  Eagle  is  an  occasional  straggler  to  our  shores.     Tl 


immature  (iolden  Eagle  has  a  large  anujunt  of  white  on  the  basal  half  of 
the  tail-feathers,  and  is  often  mistaken  lor  the  young  of  the  Sea  Eagle, 
a  very  ditt'ercnt  species  [see  Case  51]. 

Next  in  order  come  the  Rough-legged  Buzzards,  or  Buzzard-l"2agles  as  [Case 50.  j 
they  have  been  called  (Archibtiten),  represented  by  A.  luyopus  (896), 
which  ranges  over  Enrope  and  Siberia  to  Alaska,  and  its  N.  American 
ally  (A.  sancti-jo/iaiutix)  (897 1,  the  I'ormcr  being  a  fairly  common 
autumn  visitor  to  Great  Britain.  The  liufous-bellied  Hawk-Eagle 
(Lnpliolriorrhis  kienvr'i)  (898)  is  a  remarkably  handsome  crested  form 
from  India  and  the  Indo-^Ialayan  countries,  and  it  is  interesting  to  note 
that  another  species  of  the  genus  is  a  native  of  North-western  iSouth 
America. 

The  Booted  Eagle  {EiUolinuetus  pcniialus)  (899)  and  Bonelli's  Eagle 
(E.  fusciutua]  (900),  botli  from  Soutiieru  Europe  and  India,  aie  well- 
known  Ijird.s;  and  a  \ery  striking  Afi'iean  ally,  the  Black-crested  Eagle 
{Lopli(i(i'ctiis  occipitalis)  (901  J,  is  also  shown.  The  Bird-nesting  Eagle 
[Ictiiiuiiiis  (iiulaijensis)  (902),  inhabiting  the  ludo-^Ialayan  countries, 
spends  most  of  its  time  on  the  wing  Iniuting  for  nests  and  lives  entirely 
on  eggs  and  young  birds.  It  not  infrequeutly  carries  off  nest  aiul  all 
in  its  talons,  and  examines  the  contents  as  it  sails  lazily  away. 

Other  allies  are  the  Ilawk-lOaglcs  [Spiziu'tus  and  Spi-ias/ur)  (903-  iC'ii>e-J0.1 
907),  represented  by  four  species  of  which  the  finest  is  undoubtedly  the 
magnificent  Crowned  species  {S.  coronulas)  (904)  from  Tropical  Africa. 
All  the  remainder  of  the  Aipdliiue  belong  to  the  bare-legged  section  with 
the  tarsus  unfeathcrcd.  The  African  Buzzard-Eagle  [Asturinvla  mono- 
(/raminica)  (909)  and  the  Laughing  Hawk  (Hcrpctotlieres  cuchinnans) 
(908)  are  among  the  smaller  members,  the  former,  like  the  Chanting 
Goshawk  already  mentioned  above,  Ijcing  remarkable  among  Birds  of 
Prey  for  its  mellow  wliistlnig. 

At  the  foot  of  this  Case  will  be  found  the  Short-toed  Eagle   {Cir-    (Jii>eol.| 
C(ieit<s  (/alliens)  (911)  of  Southern  and  Central  Europe,  etc.,  and  several 
species  of  Serpeut-Eagle   l^Spiloniis),  the  crested  form  {S.  cheelii)  (914j 
of  India  being  a  specially  handsome  bird.     As  their  name  implies,  both 
these  and  the  Short-toed  Eagles  feed  principally  on  snakes  and  other 


/O  lilKD   GALLi:iiV. 

reptiles,  wliilc  small  iiiainiiials,  birds,  fro;;'.?,  fisli,  crabs,  and  insects  are 
also  devoured.  Another  Oriental  genns  is  represented  by  the  Grey- 
faced  Buzzard-Eagle   {Biitaslnr'nidlciis)  (916);   aud  the  Bateleur  Eagle 

[Ciisi'ol.]  [Helotarsus  ecuudutus)  (917),  wliieli  is  placed  next  it,  is  a  peculiar  short- 
tailed  African  form,  and  with  its  fiery-red  face  and  feet  is  one  of  the 
liandsomest  Birds  of  Prey. 

Next  come  the  grand  Sea-Eagles  {Haliariu.s),  which  ai'C  fidly 
represented  by  no  tbwer  than  live  species.  The  White-tailed  Sea-Eagle 
or  ]<h'nc  {H.  (ilbicilhis)  (918),  a  few  pairs  of  which  still  breed  in  the 
British  Isles,  is  also  an  autumn  aud  winter  visitor  to  our  coasts ;  the 
White-headed  or  Bald  Sea-Eagle  [H.  leucoceplialns)  (919)  is  the  North 
American  rc])resentative  form,  and  the  liandsomest  of  all  is  perhaps 
the  Vociferous  Sea-lilagle  (//.  rocifer)  (920)  fiom  Africa.  Few  kinds 
[CentiH  of  fish,  flesh,  fowl,  or  carrion  conic  amiss  to  these  birds.  In  the  large 
centre  Case  a  very  tine  series  of  Steller's  Sea-Eagle  (H.  pelat/icus) 
(922)  [PI.  XV.]  is  exhibited  ;  the  adult  male,  with  the  pure  white 
shoulders  and  tail^  is  an  unusually  light-coloured  specimen  of  its  kind 
and  no  doubt  a  very  old  bird. 

[Ca-e")!',!  In  tliig  Case  are  placed  the  Kites  and  IIoucy-Buzzards :  commencing 
on  the  floor  we  find  the  handsome  chestnut  and  white  Brahminy  Kites 
[HaViastur)  (923,  924),  the  lovely  Swallow-tailed  Kite  [Elaiwides  fur- 
cutus)  (925)  trom  America,  and  the  Common  and  Black  Kites  {M/lciis 
milviis  and  M.  kursrkuii)  (926,  927).  Though  once  a  common  liird  in 
Great  Britain,  only  a  few  pairs  of  the  Common  Kite  or  "  Glcd  "  have 
escaped  destruction  and  nest  in  this  country  at  the  present  time  ; 
the  JMack  Kite  has  occurred  twice  as  an  accidental  straggler  to  our 
shores. 

[Case-Ji'.j  Buzu  subcjistala  (928)  represents  the  rather  large  genus  of  Cuckoo- 
Falcons,  extending  from  India  through  the  Malay  Peninsula  to 
Australia,  Madagascar,  and  Africa.  They  are  all  rare  birds,  and 
are  remarkable  in  having  two  '•'  teeth  "  in  the  upper  mandible.  Next 
to  it,  will  be  seen  Swainson's  Kite  {Gampsotiyx  swahiso/ii)  (929),  a 
beautifully  marked  diminutive  form  from  Central  and  South  America, 
the  curious  Hook-lulled  Kites  (Li'jiluduii)  (930),  their  slender-billed 
ally  [Roslrhuinus  Iciicopyij/ix)  (932),  and  the  handsome  Lead-coloured 
F^alcou  {Iciinia  phimbea)  (933),  all  from  the  same  continent.  After  the 
Square-tailed  species  (Lojj/iokiinia  isnru)  (934)  from  Australia,  Ave  come 
to  the  Black-shouldered  Kite  {Elaniti)  ;  a  specimen  of  E.  cceruleus  (936j 
is  said  to  have  been  obtained  in  Ireland  in  1*S62,  but  the  evidence 
appears  to  be  insufficient.  Lastly  the  curious  Double-toothetl  Falcon 
(Harjiagus  bidentutus)  (937),  which  resembles  the  Cuckoo  Falcons 
{Baza)  in  having  the  upper  mandible  doubly  notched,  is  worthy  of 
special  notice. 


> 

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VALCONS.  i\) 

The  Honey-Buzzard    (Pernis  ap'irorus)    (938)   is  a  regular  summer    Case  ">•'!.] 
visitor  to  Great   Biitain,  and   a  few  pairs  still   l)rced   where  tliey  are 
afforded    protection.     Audersson's    Pern   {Mac/uvr/ia/iijj/u/s  aiulcrssoiii) 
(939),   an  allied  African   form  also   shown,   is  a   very  rare    bird    with 
crepusctilar  habits  and  feeds,  partly  at  least,  ou  bats. 

The  Falcons  \_Fu]coniii(('~\  are  characterised  by  their  short  powei'ful  bill, 
which  is  provided  with  a  tooth-like  process  on  each  side  of  the  upper 
mandible.  This  sub-family  includes  the  most  typical  raptorial  birds,  such 
as  the  Peregrine  Falcon  [Fulco  jieregrinus)  (951)  [PI.  XVI.]  audits  allies, 
in  which  the  compactly  built  body  is  formed  so  as  to  combine  the 
maximum  of  strength  with  the  greatest  possible  speed  on  the  wing.  At 
the  foot  of  the  Case  are  placed  the  Jer-Faleons  {Hierofalcu) ,  which 
include  some  of  the  largest  sjjecies,  inhabiting  the  colder  parts  of  the 
Northern  Hemisphere.  The  most  beautiful  of  these  noble  birds  is  un- 
doubtedly the  nearljr  white  Greenland  form  [H.  candicuns)  (942),  which, 
like  its  allies  the  Iceland  and  Scandinavian  Jer-Falcoris  (H.  ishuulus  (944) 
[PI.  XXIV.]  and  H.  ijyrfuico  (945)),  (jccasioually  visits  Great  Britain. 
.Jer-Falcons  wei'c  formerly  held  in  high  esteem  by  falconers  for, 
though  less  bold  than  the  Peregrine,  their  greater  strength  enables 
them  to  take  quarry  for  which  the  Peregrine  is  no  match.  In  the  latter 
bird,  various  races  of  which  are  distributed  over  the  Old  and  New  Worlds, 
we  have  the  most  highly  specialised  Bird  of  Prey  and  the  one  most 
highly  prized  in  Falconry  at  the  present  time.  Besides  the  Common 
Peregrine  a  fine  example  of  the  Shahiu  [F.pereyrinator)  (950),  a  darker-  |  < 'ase -V'S. ] 
coloured  Indian  form,  may  be  seen  as  well  as  the  Lanner,  Barbarj',  and 
Laggar  Falcons  {F.fehleygi,  F.  barbartis,  and  F.Ju(/ffer)  (947,948,949). 
Among  the  smaller  Falcons  will  be  found  the  Hobby  [F.  siibbutt'o) 
(952)  and  the  Merlin  (F.  tf salon)  (953),  both  well-known  British  species, 
and  the  lied-headed  Merlin  (F.  cldquera)  (954),  a  very  handsome 
Indian  species. 

The  Black-legged  Falconet  (Micro/iierax  ccerulescens)  (956)  represents 
a  group  of  diminutive  Falcons  inhabiting  the  ludo-Malayan  region. 
In  S[jite  of  their  small  size  they  are  bold  and  dashing  in  their  habits, 
and  bcsid(!s  insects,  capture  birds  as  large  as  quails.  The  allied  genus 
Po/ioAie»-cr,r,  represented  by  Feilden's  Falcon  (957),  is  remarkable  among 
birds  of  this  group  in  having  the  sexes  entirely  different  in  plumage, 
the  back  of  the  female  being  dark  chestnut.  The  Kestrels  (  Cerr/meis),  a 
somewhat  numerous  genus,  are  represented  by  the  common  species 
(C.  timmncuhis)  (958),  plentiful  in  the  British  Isles  and  valuable  to 
the  farmer  as  a  destroyer  of  mice,  voles  and  insects,  and  by  the  Lesser 
Kestrel  (C  naiimanni)  (959),  which  appears  ou  the  British  list  as  an 
occasional  visitor  from  Southern  Europe.  In  the  Red-footed  Falcon 
{Erythropus  vespertimis)  (962),  as  in  the  true  Kestrels,  the  sexes  differ 


80 


liiKi)  c;  \lli;kv. 


ill  i)luni:i;;;c.  Other  |■ollll^  iciircscntcd  arc  the  Madagascar  Kestrel 
(D/s^odec/cs  ~onire>itrisj  (961  ),  the  Aiistrahaii  Quail-Hawk  ( Hk-rachlru 
berifjoi-ii)  (963),  and  the  Jiusli-IIawk  {llar/jci  uustralis)  (964). 

Family  111.   Pammoxid.i;.     Osprevs. 

[Case  ■>'■',.]  Xiie  last  family  includes  the  Ospreys  and  Fishiug-Eagles,  which  occupy 
a  somewhat  intermediate  position  between  the  Hawks  and  Owls.  They 
resemble  the  latter  in  possessing  a  reversible  outer  toe,  ■which  can  be 
turned  backwards  or  forwards  at  Avill,  and  the  soles  of  the  feet  are  pro- 
vided witli  spicules  to  enable  them  to  hold  the  fish  on  which  they 
prey.  The  Osprcy  or  Fish-Hawk  {Pandioa  lialiaiHus)  (965)  is  a  cosmo- 
politan species,  and  though  now  a  very  rare  bird  in  Great  Britain, 
it  still  breeds  in  one  or  two  places  in  the  north  of  Scotland,  where  it  is 
carefully  protected.  The  other  allied  genus,  Po/ioarlKS,  includes  three 
species  of  Fishing-Eagles  inhabiting  the  Indo-INlalayan  region.  The 
Grey-lieaded  form  (P.  iclit/ii/(if-fi(f)  (966)  haunts  rivers  and  its  food 
consists  almost  cntirelv  of  fish. 


Order  XXIII.  STKIGIFORMES.     Owls. 

[Case  .'54.]  Thc'  Owls  form  a  well-marked  groiiii  of  Birds  of  Prey  and  are  mostly 
nocturnal  in  their  habits.  They  are  easily  distinguished  from  all  the 
Hawks  except  the  Harriers,  by  the  facial  disc  surrounded  by  a  ring  of 
short  crisp  feathers  and  by  the  absence  of  the  cere  or  naked  wax-like 
skin  at  the  base  of  the  bill  seen  in  almost  all  the  true  Accijiitres.  The 
large  eyes  are  directed  obliquely  forwards  and  the  upper  eyelid  shuts 
over  the  eye,  and  not  the  lower  as  in  birds  generally.  The  external 
opening  of  the  ear  is  large  and  often  extremely  complicated  in  structure, 
while  in  some  genera  the  right  and  left  openings  are  asymmetrical.  The 
outer  and  fourtli  toe  is  reversible  at  will,  enabling  the  Owls  to  perch 
with  either  one  or  two  toes  behind.  The  eggs  are  oval  in  shape  and 
white  in  colour,  and  vary  in  number  from  two  to  ten,  the  larger  species 
as  a  rule  laying  fewer  eggs  than  the  smaller  forms.  The  nesting  site  is 
very  varied ;  some  breeding  in  holes  in  trees  or  in  deserted  birds^  nests, 
while  others  prefer  the  ground,  and  Speofi/lo,  the  American  Burrowing- 
Owl,  uses  the  burrows  of  prairie-dogs  and  other  small  mammals.  Many 
species  are  dimorphic,  that  is  to  say  have  two  phases  of  coloration,  a 
grey  and  a  rufous.  T'wo  families  are  recognised,  distinguished  by 
various  anatomical  ditfcrenccs. 


t)\VLS. 


81 


Familv  I.   lUiiOMDi-:.     IIokned  and  AWjkd-Owl?;. 
Tlie   first    group    to   be   consitlercd   are   the    Fi.sliiug-Owls    {Keiupa)    [JJ.^g^.  54 


3S 


exhibited  on  the  top  shelf.  Like  the  Ospreys,  these  birds  have  the  soles 
of  the  feet  covered  with  spicules,  and  their  bare  legs  are  also  well- 
adapted  for  the  capture  of  the  fish  which  form  their  principal  food. 
Four  species  are  known  and  inhabit  various  parts  of  the  Indo-Chinese 
and  IMalayan  regions.  Of  the  two  exhibited,  the  Tawny  Fishing-Owl 
(A',  flavipes)  (967)  ranges  from  the  Himalayas  to  China,  while  the 
Brown  form  (/\'.  cetjlonensis)  (968),  which,  according  to  ^Nlr.  Hume, 
varies  its  diet  with  mammals,  land-birds  and  crabs,  occurs  in  the  Indian 
Peninsula  and  Ceylon.  PcFs  Onl  [ScotopelUi  peli)  (969),  an  allied 
species  from  Tropical  Africa,  lacks  the  feathered  tufts  or  liorus,  but  is 
otherwise  very  similar. 

The  Eagle-Owls  {Bubonhta'),  of  which  examples  are  exhibited  in  a  riablf- 
separate  case  in  the  centre  of  the  Bay,  include  the  largest  of  all  the  ease.] 
Owls.  The  Great  Eagle-Owl  {Bubo  ignavm]  (970),  common  on  the 
Continent  though  rare  in  Great  Britain,  is  partly  diurnal  in  its  habits 
and  extremely  destructive,  its  great  strength  enabling  it  to  kill  not 
only  large  game-birds,  rabbits  and  hares,  but  even  fawns.  Its  rare 
Siberian  ally  [B.  turcomamis)  (971)  from  Central  and  Southern  Asia, 
and  the  handsome  Spotted  Eagle-Owl  [B.  maculosus)  (972)  from 
S.  Africa,  are  also  represented. 

The  Snowy  Owl  (AVc'w)  (973),  another  very  large  species,  inhabits  [Va^^  rA. 
the  Arctic  regions  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere  and  is  a  not  infrequent 
visitor  to  the  British  Islands.  Its  habits  are  diurnal,  and  it  preys  on 
hares  and  other  smaller  rodents,  as  well  as  birds  and  fish.  The  female 
is  more  profusely  barred  with  black  than  the  male,  whose  plnmage  is 
sometimes  pure  white. 

The  Hawk-Owls,  represented  by  the  North  European  species  (Stiniia 
itlula)  (974)  and  the  American  subspecies  (,S.  caparoch)  (975),  are  also 
diurnal  in  their  habits,  both  appearing  on  the  British  list  as  accidental 
stragglers  to  our  shores. 

The  Scops-  or  Tufted-Owls  (Scops)  include  a  very  large  number  of 
species  and  are  found  in  nearly  every  part  of  the  World.  They  are  all 
birds  of  small  size  and  of  nocturnal  habits.  Several  species  are  exhibited, 
including  the  common  European  form  (S.  scops)  (976),  which  on  many 
occasions  has  visited  Great  Britain,  and  the  Screech  Scops-Owl  [S.  ash) 
(977)  of  N.  America,  of  which  both  the  grey  and  rufous  phases  are 
exhibited. 

Another  genus,  Bthe  rown  Hawk-Owls  (Ninox),  with  numerous  species, 
rano-es  from  Asia  through  the  Pacific  islands  to  Australia.  N.  scutulata 
(981 )  is  a  common  Indian  form,  while  N.  streniia  (982)  and  N.  connivens 


82  lilKH  (iALLERY. 

(983)  are  Australian,  tlic  former,  as  its  name  implies,  being  the  giant  of 
the  group. 

The  Little  Owl  {Athene  noclua)  (984),  from  Central  and  Southern 
Europe,  has  frequently  been  captured  in  England,  but  so  many  have 
been  imported  from  the  Continent  and  liberated  that  it  is  difficult  to 
say  if  the  birds  are  really  wild. 

Tlie  allied  genus  of  Pigmy  Owlets  {Glaiicidhnn)  contains  numerous 
diminntive  forms  distributed  over  most  regions  of  the  Globe,  and 
includes  the  smallest  species  of  Owls,  such  as  the  Collared  Pigmy  Owlet 
(G.  brodiei)  (986)  from  the  Himalayas,  and  the  Common  Pigmy  Owlet 
(G.  ■passerinuni)  (987)  of  Northern  and  Central  Europe.  Of  .special  in- 
terest is  the  Burrowing  Owl  (Speoli/to  cunlculurla)  (989)  of  America,  a 
small  long-legged  species,  which  lives  in  large  communities  in  the  burrows 
of  the  Prairie-dog  and  other  Mammals,  and  is  mainly  diurnal  in  its  habits. 

The  genus  Nyctala  is  represented  by  both  its  members,  Tengmalm's 
Owl  {N.  tenymalmi)  (990),  which  inhabits  the  forests  of  Northern 
Europe,  Siberia,  and  Arctic  America  and  occasionally  visits  Great 
Britain,  and  the  Saw-whet  Owl  {N.  acadicu)  (991)  from  North  America 
and  Mexico. 

Next  come  the  Eared-Owls  [Asia),  including  two  well-known  British 
species,  the  Long-eared  Owl  {A.  otus)  (993),  and  the  Short-cared, 
Marsh-  or  Woodcock-Owl  [A.  accipitrinus)  (994).  The  former  almost 
always  breeds  in  trees,  using  deserted  nests  of  crows  or  squirrels,  while 
the  latter  invariably  makes  a  nest  on  the  ground.  During  the  vole 
plague  on  the  Scottish  Borders  in  1890-92  enormous  numbers  of  Short- 
eared  Owls  made  their  appearance  in  the  infested  districts  and  remained 
as  long  as  food  continued  ])lentiful. 

To  the  genus  Syrnium  belong  the  Tawny,  Brown  or  Wood-Owl 
[S.  aluco)  (996)  of  Great  Britain,  and  a  number  of  other  species  such  as 
the  Mottled  and  Ural  Wood-Owls,  S.  ocellatum  (995)  and  S.  uralense 
(998),  from  India  and  Northern  Europe  respectively.  Of  the  Tawny 
Owl  both  the  grey  and  rufous  phases  of  plumage  arc  represented. 
Closely  allied  to  these  is  the  Great  Grey  Owl  {Scoiiapiex  cinerea)  (999), 
the  Arctic  American  representative  of  the  Lapp  Owl.  The  last  member 
of  this  family  is  the  Bay  Owl  {Photodilus  badlus)  (1000),  a  peculiar  form 
from  the  Indo-Malayan  region,  which  occupies  an  intermediate  position 
between  the  Biiboimke  and  SlriffidiB. 


Family  II.  Strigid*.     Bakn-Owls. 

[('ase-OJ.J  The  Barn-  or  Screech-Owls  {Sirix)  representing  this  family  arc 
nocturnal  in  their  habits,  and,  as  they  feed  almost  exclusively  on  small 
rodents,  are  extremely  useful  birds  and  entitled  to  protection.     They  are 


PAliROTS.  83 

nearly  world-wide  in  their  distribution,  but  do  not  extend  very  far  to  the 
north.  The  most  familiar  form  is  the  Common  Barn-Owl  {S.  Jlaiiuiiea) 
(1003),  generally  distributed  tliroughout  the  British  Islands  and  locally 
common  in  Europe  and  North  Africa. 


Order  XXIV.  PSITTACIFORMES.     Parrot-tkibe. 

The  Parrots  include  about  500  species,  which  are  grouped  into  [Cases 
about  80  genera  and  2  families.  They  possess  certain  characteristics  ''''  ' 
which  isolate  them  from  the  majority  of  birds,  and  have  in  consequence 
been  placed  in  very  varied  positions  in  the  numerous  schemes  which 
liave  been  propounded  for  the  classification  of  birds.  On  account 
of  their  superior  intelligence  some  ornithologists  have  placed  them 
at  the  head  of  the  series,  while  others  have  associated  them  with  the 
Picarian  or  climbing-birds  on  account  of  their  zygodactyle  foot  with 
two  toes  directed  forwards  and  two  backwards.  Their  most  natural 
position  in  a  linear  arrangement  of  birds  appears  to  be  after  the  Hawks 
and  Owls  and  before  the  Picarian  birds.  Like  the  latter  as  well  as 
many  of  the  Owls,  Parrots  nest  in  holes  and  lay  white  eggs,  while  the 
cere  or  waxy  skin  covering  the  base  of  the  bill  is  a  characteristic  feature 
shared  with  the  Hawks.  The  form  of  the  short,  stout  and  strongly 
hooked  bill,  with  the  upper  maiulible  moveable  and  articulated  to  the 
skull,  is  the  most  distinguishing  character  aud  one  by  which  all  Parrots 
may  at  once  be  recognised.  The  nestliug,  wlien  first  hatched,  is 
completely  naked  but  sTibscqucntly  covered  with  thick  grey  down. 

Family  I.  Psittacid.e.     True  Parrots. 

On  the  rtoor  of  this  Case  we  find  the  Owl-Parrot  or  Kakapo  [Strhiijops  '.  (,"a«o  o; 
liahroptihis)  (1008)  (the  type  of  a  distinct  subfamily  Striiif/ojiiiue),  y\\iich, 
though  possessing  fully  developed  wings,  is  incapable  of  flight  and  like 
many  other  New  Zealand  birds  in  a  similar  condition  is  rapidly 
disappeai'iug.  It  derives  its  trivial  name  from  the  disc  of  feathers  round 
the  eye  and  from  its  nocturnal  habits.  During  the  day  it  hides  iu  holes 
uuder  roots  of  trees  and  rocks,  but  at  sunset  it  emerges  to  feed  on  grass, 
seeds,  berries  and  roots,  etc.,  which  form  its  principal  food.  It  generally 
remains  on  the  ground  but  occasionally  climbs  trees,  when  the  wings  are 
used  to  balance  the  body  as  the  bird  jumps  from  one  bough  to  another. 
No  nest  is  made,  and  the  two  or  three  large  white  eggs  are  deposited  in 
a  burrow  under  some  root  or  rock.  The  Kakapo  is  said  to  be  a  very 
clever  and  intelligent  bird  and  makes  au  affectionate  and  playful  pet. 

In  the  next  subfamily,  Psittacime,  which   includes  the  bulk  of  the 
species,  we  commence  with  two  ground-species  resembling  the  remarkable 

G  2 


81  nini)  (i.M.LKKV. 

Kakapo  ill  general  iippearance,  viz.,  the  GrouiKl-I'arrociuet  (Geojisif/ucKs 
occidentaHs)  (\{iQl )  ami  Grass-Parroquet  {Pe:oporiis  formosus)  (1008), 
both  natives  of  Australia.  Among  tlie  examples  of  the  well-known 
Eudgerigav  [Melopsittacus  vndidafiis)  (1009),  a  remarkably  handsome 
yellow  variety  will  be  seen ;  and  on  the  shelf  above  the  eurious  crested 
form  known  as  the  Horned  Parroquct  {N^ipnpfiiais  cornutiis)  (1011), 
whicli  inhabits  the  island  of  New  Caledonia. 

Among  the  many  long-tailed  Parroquets  found  in  India,  the  Malay 
Archipelago,  and  Australia,  and  represented  by  such  genera  as  Cyano- 
rluiinphus,  Neophema,  Barnardiiis,  Phitijcercus,  Pyrrhulojisis,  Apros- 
mictits,  Pohjtelis,  and  Palceornis  (1012-1039),  many  beautiful  forms  will 
be  found,  including  many  well-known  cage-birds  such  as  the  Rosella  or 
Kosc-llill  and  Pennant's  Parroquets  (Phitijcercus  eximius  and  P.  elei/ans), 
(1024,  1025),  the  Bed-shouldered  Parroquet  {Plisles  enjthropterus) 
(1020),  the  King- Parroquet  (Aprosmictus  cyanopyc/'ms)  (1021),  and 
the  lovely  little  Turquoisinc  Green  Parroquet  [Neop/iema  pulc/iella) 
(1030),  all  from  Australia.  Of  the  well-known  species  of  Pala-ornit;, 
so  often  seen  in  captivity,  several  arc  exhibited  ;  the  Long-tailed 
Parroquet  [P.  luin/icuuihi)  (1034)  from  Borneo,  illustrating  the  nesting 
habits  of  the  group,  will  be  seen  on  the  floor  of  the  ease;  while  the 
common  Indian  Bose-riuged  species  [P.  torquatn)  (1033)  and  others 
are  placed  on  the  second  shelf.  Of  the  Australian  genus  Poli/te/is  the 
Barrabaud's  Pari-oquct  (P.  harrctbandi)  (1037)  is  remarkable  for  tlic 
great  difference  in  plumage  between  the  male  and  female,  and  Queen 
Alexandra's  Parroquet  (P.  alexandiv)  (1039)  is  equally  noteworthy  on 
account  of  its  extreme  rarity. 

Oil  the  third  shelf  the  small  Love-Birds  (Loriculi(s,  At/apornis,  and 
BoJbopsittacus)  (1040-1046)  are  represented,  and  of  the  numerous 
species  known  many  are  favourite  cage-birds. 

On  the  top  shelf  the  curious  Bacquet-tailed  Parroquets  {Prionitwus) 
(1047-1048),  from  the  Philippines  and  adjacent  islands,  and  the  Great- 
billed  Parroquet  [Tanyynutlms  inegalorhynchus)  (1049)  from  the  same 
region  will  be  found;  also  the  Bed-sided  Eclectus  {Eclectiis  pectorulis) 
(1050),  the  male  of  which  is  green  and  red,  while  the  female  is  bright 
red  and  blue.  Perhaps  the  best  known  member  of  this  subfamily  is  the 
African  Grey  Parrot  [Psittaciis  crithuciis)  (1052),  a  favourite  cage-bird 
on  account  of  the  extraordinary  facility  with  which  it  learns  to  talk 
and  imitate  sounds  of  all  kinds. 
[Case  50.]  On  the  floor  of  this  Case  we  find  the  remarkable  looking  Pesquet's 
Parrot  (Dasyptilus  j^esqueti)  (1056)  from  New  Guinea,  and  the  well- 
known  Amazon  Parrots  (C/irysotiti)  (1 057-1 060),  of  which  se^  eral  species 
are  exhibited,  and  above  these  various  allied  South  American  genera  such 
as  the  Conures  (Co)»/ru.f)  (1069-1073)    and  the   gaudy  Macaws    (Ara) 


PLATE    XIX. 


Vu:.    I. 


K.AKA    I'AKKor  (.V.'sAw-  nn'riJiiuial i i).      No,    no 


I'l.;.  2. 


Fennant-Winged  Nightjar  (Cosmetomis  vexillai-iits).     No.   1215. 
Adult  male. 


PARROTS.  85 

(1079-1081),  wliicli  are  placed  at  the -toji  of  the  Case.  The  last  genus 
of  this  subfamily  iucludes  the  smallest  of  the  group  aud  is  rcprcseuted 
by  the  Pigmy  Parrot  (N(isih')-nn  pusio)  (Mili),  which -n-ith  its  cougeuers 
is  confined  to  the  Papuan  subregioii.  On  the  top  shelf  are  placed  the 
(treat  Black  Cockatoo  {Microffloss/is  uferrtmi(s)  (1089),  the  Ganga 
(Callocephahim  (jaleatum)  (1090),  and  the  Yellow-and-Black  Cockatoo 
(  Calyptorhynchus  xanthonotus)  (1091 ). 

Tlie  tliird  subfamily  Cacaluina  includes  tiie  Cockatoos,  most  of  which 
are  well  known  in  captivity.  Commonest  of  all  perhaps  is  the  Cockatcel 
[Calopsittacus  nova  hollandke)  (1082)  ;  and  of  the  various  species  of 
Cockatoo  (Cacattia  and  Licmetis),  ranging  from  the  Philip|)ines  to 
Australia,  the  handsomest  is  undoubtedly  Leadbeater's  Cockatoo 
{C.  leudbeateri)  (1087),  while  the  most  curious  is  the  bare-eyed  form 
known  as  the  Slender-billed  Cockatoo  [L.  nasicu)  (1088). 

Family  II.  Loriid.e.     Lories  or  Brush-toxgued  Parrots. 
(Plate  XIX.  fig.  1.) 

The  Brush-tongued  Parrots  may  he  divided  into  three  subfamilies,  the  [ijase  06.1 
Lor/iiuc  including  the  true  Lories,  the  Ci/clopsittacince  or  Lorilets,  aud 
the  Nestoriiue  or  Kaka  Parrots. 

To  the  first  belong  the  genera  Clialcopsittanis,  Eos,  Lurius,  Vini, 
Coriphi/us,  Tricho(/lossus,  etc.  (1092-1108),  all  of  which  are  represented 
and  include  some  of  the  most  lovely  species  of  the  group,  many  being 
familiar  cage-birds. 

The  Lorilets  include  a  number  of  small  forms  ranging  from  New 
Guinea  to  Australia  and  will  be  found  duly  represented  by  an  example 
of  the  Mysol  species  {Cyclopsittacus  iIioj)kt/ti//mi(s)  (1107). 

The  third  subfamily  is  represented  by  the  Kaka  Parrot  {Nestor 
ineridionaUs)  (1108)  [PI.  XIX.  fig.  1.],  a  native  of  New  Zealand. 
Special  interest  attaches  to  this  group  on  account  of  the  carnivorous 
habits  of  the  closely  allied  species  known  as  the  Kea  (iV.  notabU'is), 
which  of  recent  years  has  developed  an  extraordinary  liking  for  flesh. 
At  first  these  birds  contented  themselves  with  devouring  slieeps'  heads 
and  otlier  ott'al  thrown  out  from  the  slaughter  sheds,  but  as  the  taste 
for  meat  increased  and  became  universal,  they  took  to  attacking  living 
sheep,  tearing  open  their  backs  to  devour  the  kidney  fat,  and  inflicting 
injuries  that  generally  proved  fatal.  So  destructive,  indeedj  have  they 
become  on  some  of  the  sheep-runs,  that  a  price  is  paid  by  the  Govern- 
ment of  New  Zealand  for  their  destruction  and  tiieir  final  extermination 
is  probably  only  a  matter  of  time. 


86 


ISIUD   IIALLICUV. 


Order  XX^^  CORACIIFORMES.     Puakian  Birds. 

This  Order  coutains  a  number  of  families  including  tlie  Oil-birds, 
Frog-mouths,  Kingfishers,  Rollers,  Bee-eaters,  Motmots,  Todies, 
Hoopoes,  Hornbills,  Nightjars,  Swifts,  Humming-birds,  and  Colies. 
They  differ  greatly  from  one  another  in  outward  form,  structure,  and 
habits,  possessing  hardly  a  single  feature  in  common  by  which  they  c;iu 
be  distinguished  from  other  allied  orders. 


Family  I.  Stkatokxithid.k.     Oil-bikds. 

Cabe")7.:  The  Oil-bird  or  Guacharo  {Stea/oniis  curipensin)  (1110),  the  sole 
representative  of  this  family,  inhabits  the  caves  in  the  northern  and 
north-western  portions  of  South  America,  and  is  also  found  in  the 
island  of  Trinidad.  Both  in  its  general  outward  appearance  and  in  its 
crepuscular  habits  the  bird  bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  Nightjars, 
with  which  it  has  generally  been  associated  and  to  which  it  is  evidently 
closely  allied.  It  dift'ers,  howevci-,  from  these  birds  in  its  strongly- 
hooked  and  deeply-notched  bill,  feeds  mainly  if  not  exclusively  on 
fruits,  and  lays  from  two  to  four  pure  white  eggs.  The  large  cheese- 
shaped  nest,  made  of  clay-like  material  and  exhibited  in  the  Case,  is 
placed  on  ledges  or  holes  in  caverns.  When  about  a  fortnight  old,  the 
young  become  extremely  fat  and  as  it  were  enveloped  in  a  thick  layer  of 
yellow  grease.  They  are  then  destroyed  in  large  numbers  by  the  natives, 
who  melt  down  the  fat  into  a  colourless  oil  known  as  guaeharo-butter, 
which  is  used  both  for  purposes  of  illumination  and  cooking. 

Family  II.  Pouaroiu.i;.     Fkog-mouths. 

[Cati-  r,7.\  The  Owl-like  birds  comprising  this  family  are  only  met  with  in  the 
Indian  and  Australian  regions,  and  are  closely  related  to  the  Nightjars, 
but  differ  entirely  in  their  mode  of  nesting  and,  like  the  Oil-bird,  the 
majority  lay  white  eggs.  Three  genera  are  recognised,  Fodart/ux  and 
jEgotheles  being  confined  to  New  Guinea  and  Australia,  while  Buirach- 
ostomiis  is  found  in  the  Indo-Malayan  countries  and  islands. 

The  Common  Australian  Frog-mouth  {P.  sirit/oidcs)  (1111)  makes 
a  slightly  constructed  flat  nest  of  sticks  placed  in  the  fork  of  a 
horizontal  branch,  and  lays  two  white  eggs,  which  are  incubated  by 
both  parents.  During  the  day  these  birds  sleep  in  an  iqjriylit  position 
on  the  dead  branch  of  a  tree,  the  colour  of  their  plumage  harmonising 
so  closely  with  their  surroundings  that  they  are  almost  invisible.  Their 
prey  appears  to  consist  chiefly  of  insects  such  as  mantis  and  locusts, 
captured  on  the  tree-stems  in  a  state  of  repose.    The  Eared  Frog-month 


PLATE   XVII. 


Common    Kingfishers   {.-!/n-</s  iipida).      Nesting  Series,  No.  99. 


PRAKIW    lilKDJ. 


(B.  auntus)  (1113)  represents  a  group  of  smaller  but  closely-allied 
birds  with  very  haudsomely  coloured  plumage  ;  and  the  most  diminutive 
members  of  the  family  are  the  Owlet-Nightjars  such  as  ^-E.  novce- 
liollandice  (1114),  which  live  in  holes  in  trees  during  the  day  and 
capture  their  prey  on  the  wing  like  the  true  Nightjars,  though  their 
flight  is  said  to  be  less  tortuous. 


Family  III.   II.vlcyo.vid.e.     Kingfisheks.     (Plate  XVII.) 

This  large  family,  comprising  about  160  species,  is  universally  but  [i  'me  .57.] 
very  unequally  distributed  over  the  globe.  The  majority  come  from 
the  Malay  Archipelago,  from  Celebes  to  New  Guinea,  and  from  this 
centre  they  radiate  in  every  direction.  In  all  the  eggs  are  round,  white 
and  glossy,  and  deposited  in  a  hole  in  a  tree  or  bank.  The  species 
arc  divided  into  two  subfamilies,  the  Water-Kingfishers,  AlcedinitKe, 
:ind  the  Wood-Kingfisher.s,  Dacelotiince.  The  former,  characterised 
by  their  long,  slender,  compressed  bill  with  a  distinct  keel  or  ridge 
along  the  upper  mandible,  are  mainly  fish-eating  species ;  while  the 
latter,  with  a  stouter,  wider  bill,  prey  on  insects,  Crustacea,  reptiles, 
and  occasionally  on  birds  and  small  mammals. 

To  the  subfamily  Alced'tniiKP  belong  the  Stork-billed  Kingfishers, 
such  as  the  Burmese  species  [Pelan/ojjis  burmanica)  (1115),  which 
occasionally  varies  its  fish  diet  with  small  reptiles  and  young  birds, 
and  the  members  of  the  genus  Cenj/e,  distributed  over  the  Old  and 
New  Worlds,  and  remarkable  among  birds  of  this  group  on  account  of 
the  difl^erence  in  the  markings  of  the  sexes.  One  of  the  largest  is  the 
Kinged  Kingfisher  (C.  torquatu)  (1116),  belonging  to  the  grey-backed 
section  of  the  genus,  while  the  gi-eeu-backed  South  American  species 
are  represented  by  C.  superciliosa  (1118),  one  of  the  smallest  of  all  the 
Kingfishers.  The  best  known  member  of  this  section  is  the  Common 
Kingfisher  {Alcedo  Ispida)  (1120)  [PI.  XYII.]  the  brightest  of  our 
indigenous  birds,  and  a  familiar  ornament  of  our  rivers  and  lakes. 
Other  smaller  allied  forms  are  the  jMalachite-crested  Kingfisher  {Corij- 
tliornis  cristutu)  (1121),  and  the  Little  Blue  Kingfisher  [Alcijone  pusilla) 
( 1 123),  which  has  only  thi-ee  toes. 

The  first  of  the  Dacelonbue  to  be  mentioned  are  the  diminutive 
members  of  the  genus  Ceyx  (1124),  which,  like  Alcyone,  have  only 
three  toes,  but  frequent  forests  rather  than  streams  ;  the  equally  small 
and  beautiful  forms  of  Ispidina  (1125-1126)  found  in  Africa;  the 
curious  Saw-billed  species  {Synia  flarirostris)  (1127)  from  Australia; 
and  the  Blaek-cheekcd  Carcmeutes  mclanops  (]\2i}.  The  large  genus 
Halcyoti,  containing  more  tiian  fifty  species,  is  represented  by  a  number 
of    very    beautiful    foi-ms,    of    which    we    may    specially    mention    the 


88  BIRD   CAI.LKKV. 

Sumatran  and  Lindsay's  Kingfishers  [H.  roncreiiis  and  //.  liihlsaiji) 
(1136,  1137),  and  tlie  strikingly  liandsomc  wliitc-and-green  species 
[H.  sai/roji/nu/Ks)  (1139).  Other  iiotahle  forms  are  tlic  Hooded  and 
Blue-aiid-Wliitc  Kingfishers  (Mo>i(/c/ia/ci/oii  uiouachiis  and  M.  ftilr/idus) 
(1139  a,  1140),  the  Sanghir  Kingfisher  (Cithira  sanyhireHsis)  (1141), 
tlie  Huahine  Kingfisher  {Todirliamphus  tii/iis)  (1142),  and  the  graeeful 
Racquet-tailed  species  (Tunysiptera)  (1143-1145),  ranging  from  the 
^Mohiccas  and  tlie  Papuan  Islands  to  N.E.  Australia.  On  the  ground 
floor  will  be  found  the  extraordinary  Shoe-billed  Kingfisher  (Clytoceyx 
rex)  (1146)  from  New  Guinea,  in  whicli  the  sexes  are  somewhat 
differently  coloured;  the  Hook-billed  Milidora  macrorhina  (1147),  and 
the  "Laughing  Jackasses"  of  Australia  {Dacelo)  (1148-1150).  These 
latter  derive  tlicir  trivial  name  fi'om  their  extraordinary  gurgling 
laughing  note,  familiar  to  all  who  visit  our  Zoological  Gardens,  and, 
unlike  most  of  the  Kingfishers,  thrive  well  in  captivity. 

Family  IV.  Leptosomatid.i:.     Kikombo'^  or  Madaoascau  Rollers. 

[CaseoS.]  The  Kirombo  or  Vorondreo  [Leptosoma  discolor)  (1151)  inhabits  the 
islands  of  Madagascar,  Mayottc,  and  Anjouan,  while  a  somewhat 
smaller  form  occurs  in  Great  Comoro  Island.  These  are  the  only 
representatives  of  this  ratlier  remarkable  family,  characterised  by  having 
the  base  of  the  bill  hidden  by  recurved  plumes,  the  nostrils  linear  and 
placed  far  forward  in  the  middle  of  the  upper  mandible,  and  the  fourth 
toe  partly  reversible.  As  will  be  seen  in  the  Case,  the  male  and  female 
are  quite  different  in  plumage.  Like  the  true  Rollers,  these  l)irds  have  a 
habit  of  playing  in  the  air,  ascending  to  a  great  height,  and  then  rapidly 
descending  in  a  curve  with  nearly  closed  wings ;  they  also  nest  in  holes 
and  lay  white  eggs. 

Family  V.  Coraciid/e.     Rollers. 

[Case  .'J8.]  These  brilliantly  coloured  birds,  distributed  over  the  greater  part 
of  the  Old  World,  may  be  divided  into  two  subfamilies.  The  first, 
Brachypteraciina,  includes  some  curious  ground  forms  peculiar  to 
^ladagascar,  and  represented  by  Atelornis  piltdides  (1152),  Uratelornis 
chimara  (1163),  and  Geobiastes  sqiiamigera  (1154).  They  are  forest- 
dwelling  species,  and  almost  entirely  terrestrial  and  crepuscular  in  their 
habits,  seeking  their  insect-food  on  the  ground  at  dusk. 

To  the  second  subfamily,  Coraciina,  belong  the  true  Rollers,  of 
which  the  common  species  (Coracias  (jarrulus)  (1155)  is  a  well-known 
European  bird,  which  occasionally  visits  Great  Britain  during  the 
spring  and  autumn  migrations.  Another  very  handsome  example, 
from   Southern    Abyssinia   and    Somali-land,   is   Lort   Phillips'    Roller 


riCARIAN   lUKDS.  81) 

(C.  lorti)  (1156),  mounted  tiying  to  display  its  brilliant  colouriug. 
The  Broad-billed  Rollers  [Ewijstonius)  (1160-1161)  represent  the 
second,  less  brightly  coloured,  genus.  All  are  active,  noisy  birds, 
and  their  trivial  name  is  derived  from  their  peculiar  habit  (specially 
noticeable  during  the  breeding-season)  of  rolling  or  turning  somer- 
saults in  tlie  course  of  their  flight.  The  glossy  white  eggs  are  usually 
deposited  in  holes  in  trees  or  banks,  in  a  very  slight  nest. 

Family  VI.  ^Meropid.T':.     Bee-eaters. 

These  extremely  brilliant  and  graceful  birds  inhabit  the  tonperate  [''■i?'' •''8.] 
and  tropical  jiortions  of  the  Old  World,  being  most  numerous  iu  the 
Ethiopian  region.  As  their  name  implies,  their  food  consists  of  ijces, 
wasps,  and  similar  insects,  which  are  captured  on  the  wing.  In 
districts  where  Bee-culture  flourishes  they  are  most  injurious  and 
destroyed  in  large  numbers.  Like  the  Sand  ^lartins,  the  majority  at 
least  of  the  Bee-eaters  breed  iu  colonics  in  sandy  river-beds,  excavating 
tunnels  from  three  to  ten  feet  in  length  which  terminate  in  a  breeding- 
chamber,  where  from  four  to  six  glossy  white  eggs  are  deposited. 

To  the  genus  Merops,  which  lias  tlie  central  tail-feathers  elongated, 
belong  a  number  of  species,  the  Common  Bee-eater  [M.  aptaster) 
(1166)  being  the  most  familiar.  This  bird  is  well  known  in  Europe  as 
a  summer  visitor,  and  is  occasionally  met  with  as  a  straggler  iu 
Great  Britain.  Another  striking  member  is  the  Nubian  Bee-eater 
[M.  niibicKs)  (1163),  remarkable  for  its  brilliant  crimson  plumage. 
Of  the  numerous  other  forms  exhibited  we  may  draw  special  attention 
to  the  larger  and  brilliantly-coloured  species  oi  Ni/ctior/iis  (1173,  1174) 
found  in  the  Indo-Malayau  countries,  and  reported  to  nest  in  holes  in 
trees. 

Family  VII.  INIo.Moriu.E.     Mot.mots. 

The  Motmots  are  restricted  to  the  New  World,  and  range  from  [Case  -58.] 
Mexico  through  Central  and  South  America.  Like  their  allies,  the 
Todies,  they  have  the  edges  of  the  bill  serrated,  and  arc  generally  to 
be  distinguished  by  the  long  graduated  tail,  the  median  and  longest 
pair  of  feathers  being  frequently  racquet-shaped.  From  observations 
made  from  living  specimens  of  Motmots  in  the  Zoological  Gardens,  it 
seems  fairly  certain  that  the  shape  of  tlie  middle  tail-feathers  is 
artificialy  produced  by  the  birds  themselves  biting  off  the  vanes  from 
the  shafts.  They  frequent  the  dense  forests,  and,  like  Flycatchers,  dart 
out  after  passing  insects,  which  are  caught  in  the  air,  though  they  also 
feed  on  small  reptiles  and  fruits.  They  nest  in  holes  in  trees  or  banks, 
and  lay  creamy-white  eggs.     The  birds  shovai  iuclude  examples  of  three 


90 


BIKD  GALLliKV. 


of  the  seven  genera  veeogniscd ;  Moniotus  (1176)   and  Prioiiirhijuclius 

(1177)  having  raquet-shaped  middle  tail-feathers,  wliilc  in  Baryphthenijvs 

(1178)  these  feathers  are  normal. 


f'^amily  A  HI.  Toniu.t.     Todies. 

[Casf  •-).■<.]  This  family  ineludes  four  diminutive  West  Indian  species  of  the 
genus  Tvclus  (1179-1180),  elosely  allied  in  structure  to  the  Motmots, 
but  differing  from  them  externally,  and  resembling  the  Flyeatchers  in 
general  appearance  and  habits.  Like  their  allies,  they  nest  iu  holes  in 
banks  and  lav  "lossv  white  eass. 

Family  IX.  Upupid.i:.     Hoopoes. 

The  birds  comprising  this  family  are  distributed  over  Europe,  Asia, 
and  Africa,  and  are  divided  into  two  subfamilies — the  true  Hoopoes 
(UpHpitKe),  and  the  Wood- Hoopoes  [Lrisorhue) .  To  the  former  belong 
rufous-coloured  species  with  large  crests,  such  as  the  Common  Hoopoe 
(Uj)iipa  epops)  (1181),  which  is  a  regular  visitor  to  Britain,  and  is 
occasionally  allowed  to  breed  in  the  south  of  England.  It  is  widely 
distributed  over  temperate  Europe  and  Asia^  migrating  southwards  in 
winter  to  India,  Arabia,  and  North  Africa.  These  birds  walk  well,  and 
pass  much  of  their  time  on  the  ground  hunting  for  insects  and  worms^ 
the  long  bill  being  used  to  probe  the  soil;  they  also  capture  flies  on  the 
wing,  and  may  frequently  be  seen  climbing  rocks  or  branches  of 
trees  iu  search  of  food.  The  nest  is  placed  in  a  hole  in  some  tree 
wall,  or  rock,  and  being  composed  of  slight  materials  cemented 
together  with  ordure,  has  a  very  offensive  smell.  The  eggs  are  from 
four  to  seven  in  number  and  of  a  pale  greenish-blue  colour ;  the 
young  resemble  their  parents  in  plumage,  even  the  crest  being  well 
developed  at  an  early  stage.  The  trivial  name  is  derived  from  the 
cry,  Avhich  resembles  the  syllable  "hoop"  uttered  two  or  three  times 
in  succession. 

The  Wood-Hoopoes,  represented  by  the  genera  Irrisor  and  Ehiiiopo- 
inastus,  are  peculiar  to  Africa,  and  all  are  long-tailed,  dark-coloured 
birds  with  more  or  less  metallic  green,  blue,  or  purple  plumage.  Their 
habits  and  mode  of  life  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  Hoopoes.  One 
of  the  most  remarkable  in  colour  is  Jackson's  Wood-Hoopoe  [Irrisor 
jacksoiii)  (1184),  which  has  the  head  and  throat  nearly  white;  the 
species  of  Rhinopomastus  (1185-1186)  are  also  noteworthy  on  account 
of  their  extremely  long  curved  bill,  which  is  specially  adapted  for 
probing  the  crannies  of  trees  iu  search  of  insects. 


X 

w 

< 


-  o 

-  i; 


:;■  -^ 


PICAUIAX    BlKDv 


y] 


Family  X.     Bucerotid.e.     Hornuills.     (Plate  XVIII.) 

These  remarkable  looking  birds,  ranging  from  Africa  and  the  Indo-  [Cases 
Malayan  regions  to  the  Solomon  Islands,  derive  their  name  from  their  ' ' ''  J 
immensely  developed  bill,  surmounted  in  most  of  tlie  genera  by  a 
variously-shaped  casque,  which  is  often  of  large  dimensions  and  gives 
them  a  singularly  top-heavy  appearance.  In  spite  of  their  size,  the  bill 
and  casque  are  not  nearly  so  weighty  as  one  would  suppose,  being 
merely  a  horny  shell  supported  internally  by  a  cellular  bony  tissue 
of  extreme  delicacy.  This  structure  may  be  seen  in  the  sections  of 
heads  exhibited  in  the  Case,  that  of  Dlchoceros  bicornis  (1190)  [Figs,  c 
^  d'\  illustrating  the  normal  type;  v,\\\\c  Biicorarabyssiniciis  (1188) 
and  Rhinoplax  vigil  (1212)  are  peculiar,  tiie  former  in  having  the  casque 
open  anteriorly,  the  latter  in  Iiaving  the  anterior  wall  solid  and  the 
posterior  part  nearly  filled  up  with  parallel  bony  columns.  The  bones 
of  the  skeleton  are  also  unusually  pneumatic.  The  edges  of  the 
mandibles  are  generally  roughly  serrated,  and  the  eyelid  is  furnished 
with  strong  lashes.  The  feet  have  broad  soles,  the  second,  third,  aud 
fourth  toes  being  partially  miited.  Though  ofteu  prolonged  for 
considerable  distances,  the  flight  is  heavy,  slow,  and  extremely  noisy, 
the  sound,  which  has  been  likened  to  the  rushing  of  an  express  train, 
being  probably  caused  by  the  air  passing  between  the  open  bases  of 
the  quills  at  eacli  beat  of  the  wings. 

The  nesting  habits  of  these  birds  are  peculiar,  and  of  extreme  interest. 
After  the  eggs  have  been  laid  in  the  hollow  of  a  tree,  the  female 
commences  to  incubate,  and  the  male  (sometimes  assisted  by  his  mate) 
closes  up  the  entrance  to  the  nest  with  a  very  hard  clay-like  substance, 
leaving  only  a  small  slit  through  which  the  female  can  protrude  her  bill 
and  receive  the  fruits  he  brings  her.  If  the  male  is  killed,  other  males 
are  said  to  take  his  place  and  provide  the  female  with  food.  The  object 
in  closing  in  the  female  is  no  doubt  to  protect  her  from  the  attacks  of 
monkeys  aud  other  enemies. 

The  female  is  said  to  remain  imprisoned  until  the  young  are  fully 
tledged,  and  in  some  species  at  least  tlie  wings  and  tail  are  shed  and 
reuewed  during  this  period,  the  moulting  of  these  feathers  being  no 
doubt  a  welcome  relief  to  the  bird  in  its  cramped  and  stufi'y  cell.  The 
adjacent  table-case,  containing  the  nesting  site  of  one  of  the  smaller 
African  Hornbills  {Lophoceros  melanoleucus)  (1204)  illustrates  all  these 


interesting  facts. 


The  numerous  species  are  divided  into  two  subfamilies,  Bucoraciiw; 
and  Bucerotiiue  ;  the  former  including  only  two  very  large  African 
species  of  Ground-Hornbills  characterised  by  their  long  legs,  which  arc 
well-adapted  for  walking.     The  Abyssinian  Grouud-Hornbill  {Bucoraj- 


92 


niKD  fiAI.LERY. 


[Uiiso  61, 


abi/ssiiiiciis)  (1188)  is  almost  omnivorous,  devouring  small  mammals, 
re[)tilcs,  and  all  kinds  of  insects,  and  sometimes  uniting  with  its  fellows 
to  attack  and  kill  large  snakes,  against  which  they  advance  in  company. 

The  BucerotiiKP  including  all  the  remaining  species,  about  sixty  in 
number,  are  characterised  by  their  comparatively  short  legs  suited  to  their 
arboreal  habits.  They  frequent  dense  forest  and  tall  jungle,  but  at 
times  descend  to  the  ground  to  bathe,  and  dig  up  tiic  loose  soil  with 
their  bills.  The  food  consists  chiefly  of  fruit  and  berries;  but  small 
mammals,  reptiles,  and  even  fish  are  sometimes  eaten. 

Tiie  dift'erent  genera  are  chiefly  characterised  by  tiie  shape  of  the 
casque,  which  varies  greatly  in  form,  and  in  some  cases  is  very  slightly 
developed. 

Tlie  species,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  examples  shown  in  the  case,  differ 
immensely  in  size,  the  Rhinoceros-Hornbill  {Buceros  rhinoceros)  (1189) 
and  Homrai  (Dichoceros  bicorni.s)  (1190)  being  vei-y  large  birds,  while 
Cassin's  Pigmy  Hornbill  (L.  cumurus)  (1194)  is  comparatively  small. 
Some  species,  such  as  the  Rufous-necked  Hornbill  {Ac<-ros  nepalensis) 
(1 199)  [Figs,  a  &  b]  and  the  West  African  Hornbill  (Ceratoi/ijnma  at  rat  a) 
(1203),  have  the  plumage  of  the  sexes  entirely  different  in  colour,  and 
these,  as  well  as  many  other  forms,  are  provided  with  large  crests.  One 
of  the  most  noteworthy  is  the  Helmet-Hornbill  (Bh'inophix  rif/U)  (1212), 
from  the  Malay  countries,  with  its  solid-fronted  casque  (already  alluded 
to)  and  its  unusually  long  middle  tail-feathers.  The  ivory-like  part 
of  the  casque  is  much  used  by  Eastern  artists  for  carving  and  making 
brooches. 

Family  XI.  C'ArHiMULcnD.E.     Nightjars.      (Plate  XIX.  fig.  3) 

The  Nightjars,  or  "  Goatsuckers  "  as  they  are  often  called,  include  a 
large  number  of  species  with  soft  Owl-like  plumage  ranging  over  the 
greater  part  of  the  world,  l)ut  apparently  absent  from  the  Eastern 
Pacific  Islands.  They  are  mostly  nocturnal  in  their  habits,  feeding  on 
insects  which  are  captured  on  the  wing,  but  some  species,  such  as  the 
American  ChordUts  (1223-4),  hawk  in  the  full  glare  of  the  sun.  The 
cry  is  generally  harsh,  and  often  loud  and  distinct,  as  in  the  North 
American  "  Whip-poor-Will  "  [Cajjrmiilyus  roci/eriis)  (1219).  The  two 
beautifully  marbled  oval  eggs  are  usually  laid  on  the  bare  ground 
without  any  nest ;  and  the  young,  though  helpless  when  first  hatched, 
are  covered  with  down.  The  species  of  PhaltenoptUus  are  an  exception 
to  the  rule,  and  lay  white  eggs  like  their  close  allies  the  Oil-Birds  and 
Frogmouths. 

Two  subfamilies  are  recognised,  viz.,  the  Caprinui/i/iiM',  characterised 
by  having  the  claw  of  the  middle  toe  pectinate  or  furnished  with  a  kind 
of  comb,  and  the  Nyctibihho,  in  which   the  claw  of  the  middle  toe  is 


riCAKlAX   BIUDS.  93 

normal.  To  the  former  group  belong  our  Common  Niglitjar  [Capri- 
mulgns  europietts)  (1216),  a  summer  visitor  to  Britain,  and  a  bird 
regarded  with  superstition  by  all  European  nations  on  aceount  of  its 
supposed  habit  of  milking  goats,  though  its  food  consists  exclusively  of 
moths,  beetles,  and  such  like.  The  peculiar  "  churriug  "  sound  uttered 
by  the  male  on  summer  evenings  is  familiar  to  most  residents  in  the 
country.  Two  other  members  of  this  gcnus^  the  Red-necked  Nightjar 
{C.  riijicollis)  (1217)  and  the  Egyptian  Nightjar  [C.  (egypliiis)  (1218) 
have  occurred  as  accidental  stragglers  to  our  shores. 

Amoug  the  more  remarkable  forms  we  may  call  special  attention  to 
the  African  species  Macrodijjienjx  niacrodipterus  (1221)  and  Cosmetornit; 
vexiUurius(\2\^)  [PL  XIX.  fig.  2],  which  carry  ornamental -wing-plumes. 
In  the  former  the  ninth  primary  quill  is  enormously  lengthened  and 
ends  in  a  "  racquet,"  and  in  the  latter  it  is  even  more  extended,  forming 
a  sort  of  train  when  the  bird  is  flying.  In  Scotoniis  cVimacurus  (1232) 
from  North  Africa,  and  in  the  South  American  species  of  Hijdropsalis 
(1231)  and  Macropsalis  (1214)  some  of  the  tail-feathers  arc  greatly 
lengthened.  Nydidromus  {\22i)  is  remarkable  for  the  length  of  its 
legs,  and  is  more  terrestrial  in  its  habits  than  the  other  species,  being- 
able  to  walk  well.  The  Indo-^Ialayan  species  of  Lijncornis  (1229, 
1230)  have  the  feathers  on  the  sides  of  the  head  elongate,  forming 
ear-tufts. 

The  second  subfamily  includes  certain  Tropical  American  Nightjars 
belonging  to  the  genus  Nijcttblus,  and  represented  by  N.  (cthereus 
(1233).  These  birds  appear  to  breed  in  hollows  of  branches  or  stumps 
of  trees,  and  not  on  the  ground,  as  is  shown  by  the  nesting  site  of 
N.  jamaiceiisis  ( 1234)  exhibited  on  the  floor  of  the  Case. 

Family  XII.  CvrsELin.r:.     Swifts.      (Plate  XX.) 

The  Swifts  owe  their  trivial  name  to  their  extraordinary  rapid  flight,  T'use  61.] 
which  is  practically  unlimited  in  duratiou,  and  in  some  of  the  species, 
notably  the  spine-tailed  forms  of  the  genus  Chestura,  is  unsurpassed  in 
speed  by  any  other  bird.  Though  resembling  the  Swallows  in  their 
outward  aj)pearance  and  habit  of  hawking  insects  on  the  wing,  thcv 
differ  -widely  from  these  birds  in  important  points  of  structure.  Thev 
are  found  all  over  the  globe  except  in  the  extreme  northern  and 
southern  regions.  Three  subfamilies  are  recognised— the  Ci/pselbue  or 
true  Swifts,  the  C/ueturhue  or  Sinue-tailed  Swifts,  and  the  Macroptery- 
ylnce  or  Crested  Swifts.  In  the  first  of  these  groups  all  four  toes  arc 
directed  forwards,  but  in  the  two  latter  the  hind  toe  is  said  to  be 
occasionally  versatile.  Their  toes,  though  well  adapted  for  clinging, 
arc  so  small  that  walking  is  difficult,  and  these  birds  experience  great 


04  lilHI)   GALLKKY. 


difficulty  ill  rising  from  the  groniul.  The  iit'stiug  liubits  vary  greatly 
in  the  difl'erent  genera  :  the  species  of  Cypselus  (1235-1237)  (of  which 
our  Common  Swift  is  typical)  conceal  their  nests  in  holes  and  under 
eaves;  Puni/ptUft  (1239)  constructs  an  enormous  pendent  tube  of  inter- 
woven seeds  suspended  from  an  overhanging  rock  by  the  saliva  of  the 
bird;  Collocalia  (1244-1247)  [PI.  XX.]  builds  in  caves,  the  well-known 
edible  nests  being  camjiosed  of  dried  secretions  of  the  salivary  glands ; 
and  Macrojjtenjx  (1243)  makes  a  small  exposed  nest  on  a  branch  or 
stum]).  The  eggs,  varying  in  number  from  one  to  tivc,  arc  invariably 
pure  white  and  devoid  of  gloss ;  the  young  are  liatchcd  naked. 

To  the  first  subfamily  belongs  our  Common  Swift  {('i/p.svliis  ajjus) 
(1235),  which,  like  most  of  its  allies,  is  migratory,  arriving  in  Europe 
early  in  May  and  departing  to  its  winter  quarters  in  Africa  early  in 
autumn.  The  Aljjine  Swift  (C.  melba)  (1236),  an  occasional  visitor  to 
Britain,  is  a  well-known  summer  visitor  to  all  the  high  mountains  of 
Central  and  Southern  Europe,  breeding  in  the  high  crags  and  towers. 
The  group  of  old  and  young  birds  exhibited  in  the  case  were  taken 
from  the  old  tower  of  the  cathedral  at  Jk-rne,  formerly  a  well-known 
breeding  place,  but  now  replaced  by  a  new  spire.  The  American 
genera  Panyplila  (1238)  and  Aiironautes  (1249)  have  the  toes  feathered ; 
the  extraoi'dinary  nest  built  by  the  former  has  already  been  referred  to. 
The  Palm- Swifts  (Tachornis),  with  tlie  toes  naked  and  arranged  in 
pairs,  attach  their  tiny  nests,  made  of  cotton-down  and  feathers,  to  the 
leaves  of  palms  or  to  the  grass  roofs  of  native  huts.  A  nest  of 
T.  phwnicobia  (1248)  is  shown  in  the  Case.  The  Cluetunnce  include  the 
Spine-tailed  Swifts  [i'lueturu),  with  the  shafts  of  the  tail-feathers  pro- 
duced into  a  point  or  spine.  Of  these,  C.  caudacuta  (1241),  which 
nests  in  Siberia  and  migrates  to  Australia,  is  specially  interesting, 
having  occurred  in  Britain  on  more  than  one  occasion. 

The  American  genus  Cypseluides  [\2^\^)  calls  for  no  special  remark; 
but  the  species  of  Collocalia  (1244-1247),  ranging  from  the  Indo- 
Malayan  countries  to  Australia,  are  interesting  on  account  of  their 
nests,  whicli  furnish  the  birds'-nest  soup  so  much  esteemed  by  the 
Chinese.  As  may  be  seen  by  the  various  specimens  exhibited  in  the 
Case,  the  nests  vary  greatly  in  texture;  the  best,  termed  "white"  or 
"  first  quality,"  are  entirely  glutinous  and  highly  prized,  while  the 
"  brown  nests,"  largely  mixed  with  foreign  substances,  are  considered 
hardly  worth  collecting.  These  birds  breed  in  dark  caves  in  huge 
colonies,  sticking  their  nests  close  together  on  the  rocky  walls,  or  even 
joining  them  in  masses. 

The  last  subfamily  includes  only  the  handsome  Crested  Swifts 
[Macropteryx]  (1243),  ranging  from  India  to  Papuasia.  Their  peculiar 
nesting  habits  have  been  bricHy  referred  to  above.     The  nest  is  a  half- 


w 
►J 

3j 


PICAIUAN    BIRDS.  95 

saucer  made  of  bark  and  feathers  gummed  by  saliva  to  a  branch,  and 
is  so  small  that  the  sitting  bird  entirely  conceals  it.  Only  one  egg 
is  laid. 

Family  XIII.  Tuocuilid.i-:.     Humming-bikds. 

Tlie  Humming-birds  or  Hummers,  so  called  from  the  sound  often  pro-  L'a>e  t;2.] 
duced  by  their  vibrating  wings,  are  exclusively  a  New  World  Group,  and 
must  not  be  confounded  with  the  Passerine  group  of  Suubirds  (Xec- 
tar/niidd'),  v,\ik\i  inhabit  the  Indian  and  African  regions,  and  somewhat 
resemble  them  in  outward  appearance  and  habits.  About  five  hundred 
species  are  known  ;  and  of  these  the  majority  inhabit  Central  and  South 
America,  but  some  are  found  in  the  southern  United  States,  and 
SdasphoriLs  nifns  (1318)  migrates  northwards  in  summer  to  Canada 
and  eveu  Alaska.  Eustcphanns  (/akritus  (1273  a)  frequents  Tierra  del 
Fuego  even  in  snowy  weather ;  while  Ureotrochilas  chbnboruzu  (1304) 
and  O.  pichlndiu  (1303)  are  natives  of  the  Andes  of  Ecuador,  close  to 
perpetual  snow,  at  a  height  of  16,000  feet.  All  are  very  small  birds, 
the  largest  being  the  Giant  Humming-bird  {Putajoua  (jigas)  (1308), 
about  9^  inches  long;  while  the  smallest  forms,  such  as  Mellisuya 
minima  (1326)  and  C/Ketocerciis  bombu.s  (1328  a)  are  little  larger  than  a 
bumble-bee  and  only  measure  2i  inches  in  length. 

The  tongue  of  these  birds  is  very  peculiar,  being  slender,  very  long, 
and  extensile.  When  drawn  within  the  bill,  the  two  branches  of  the 
liyoid  bone  which  support  its  base  curve  upwards  around  the  back  of 
the  skull,  and  then  forward  over  the  top  of  the  head,  as  in  the  Wood- 
peckers (see  preparation  in  Case).  This  arrangement  allows  the  tongue 
to  be  suddenly  protruded  to  a  considerable  distance  and  as  quickly  with- 
drawn. Unlike  that  of  the  Woodpeckers,  the  tongue  is  hollow  and 
divided  at  the  free  end  into  two  slender  branches,  each  of  which  bear.s 
a  thin  membranous  fringe  on  its  outer  margin. 

The  plumage  is  usually  of  a  brilliantly  metallic  nature,  produced  by 
the  prismatic  surfaces  of  the  feathers,  and  in  many  forms  crests,  ear- 
tufts,  neck-frills,  and  other  ornamental  plumes  add  to  the  gorgeous 
effect. 

The  wing-muscles  are  greatly  developed,  and  enable  the  birds  to 
sustain  their  untiring  flight,  which  is  more  like  that  of  a  hawk-moth 
than  a  bird.  The  little  creatures  hover  in  front  of  a  flower,  suspended 
as  it  were  iu  the  air,  their  wings  vibrating  so  rapidly  that  they  merely 
appear  like  a  grey  film ;  an  instant  they  remain  poised,  and  then,  with  a 
flash  of  metalbc  colour,  vanish  with  incredible  speed. 

The  length  and  shape  of  the  bill  varies  greatly  in  the  different  genera  ; 
some  have  the  edges  of  the  mandible  strongly  serrated  towards  the  tip, 
while  in  others  this  serration  is  faint   or  absent.     In  the  absence  of 


96  niiiO  oAi.i.EKV. 

more  definite  characters  the  absence  or  [jrescnce  of  the  serration  has 
been  used  in  grouping  the  numerous  genera,  but  the  classifieatioa  of 
the  Humming-birds  is  extremely  difficult,  many  of  the  genera  being- 
hard  to  define  and  grading  imperceptibly  into  one  another. 

The  first  flight-feather  is  at  times  attenuated,  as  in  the  genera 
Atthis  (1327),  Aghcactis  (1310),  and  others,  or  the  shafts  of  the  quills 
may  be  broad  and  stiffened,  as  in  the  Sabre-wings,  Sphenoproctus  and 
Canijiylojderus  (1292).  The  shape  of  the  tail,  too,  varies  enormously,  but 
all  these  differences  in  structure  are  best  appreciated  by  a  careful  study 
of  the  comparative  preparations  exhibited  on  the  tablet  iu  the  Case. 

The  small  round,  or  sometimes  purse-shaped,  nest,  generally  composed 
of  the  down  of  plants,  felted  and  covered  with  spiders'  webs  and  soft 
lichens,  is  placed  on  a  branch  or  suspended  from  a  leaf.  The  eggs  are 
white  and  one  or  two  in  number,  and  the  young  when  hatched  are 
blind  and  naked. 

Among  tlie  more  remarkable  forms  we  may  draw  special  attention 
to  the  Sword-billed  Humming-bird  [Docimastes  ensiferus)  (1298)  with  an 
enormously  lengthened  bill,  which  enables  the  bird  to  probe  the  long 
tubular  flowers  iu  search  of  tiny  insects.  Euloxen-s  (1288)  has  the  bill 
curved  almost  in  a  semicircle,  and  feeds  on  spiders  which  it  catches 
in  the  crevices  of  trees  and  walls.  Ludd'ujesia  niinibi/is  (1309)  is  one 
of  the  rarest  and  most  marvellous  memljers  of  the  family  on  account 
of  its  remarkable  tail.  In  the  female  and  young  male  ten  reetrices  or 
tail-feathers  are  present  as  usual,  but  in  the  adult  male  there  are  only 
four,  a  very  small  pair  in  the  middle  and  a  greatly  elongate  pair  or 
the  outside,  which  cross  one  another  and  end  in  a  "  racquet."  This 
species  was  discovered  in  Northern  Peru  by  a  botanist  named  Matthews 
in  183G,  and  the  single  specimen  then  procured  remained  uni(|ue  till, 
in  1881,  the  locality  was  rediscovered  by  M.  Stolzmann.  A  number  of 
specimens  have  since  been  brought  to  Europe. 

Family  XIV.  Coliid.e.     Colies. 

[Case  (<:}.]  The  position  of  the  Colics  in  the  classification  of  birds  has  been  much 
discussed,  but  it  is  now  generally  admitted  that  they  should  be  placed 
among  the  Coraciiformes,  and  in  close  proximity  to  the  Trogons. 

The  family  includes  only  the  genus  Coliiis  (1380-1383),  with  nine 
brownish  or  greyish  crested  species,  all  of  which  are  natives  of  Africa, 
where  they  are  known  as  Mouse-birds  on  account  of  their  creeping  habits. 
The  plumage  of  the  sexes  is  similar.  All  four  toes  are  directed  forwards, 
but  the  first  can  be  turned  backwards  at  will.  They  are  all  fruit- 
eaters,  and  live  in  small  bands  among  the  thick  bushes,  where  they 
climb  and  creep  about   among  the  branches,  the  bill  being  used  to  aid 


•|itO(:oN> 


97 


their  movements.  At  night  they  roost  in  thickly-packed  companies, 
hanging  head  downwards  in  a  cluster  in  the  most  remarkable  attitudes. 
The  cup-sha[)cd  nest  is  placed  in  the  thickest  bushes  a  few  feet  from 
the  ground,  and  the  eggs  arc  dull  white,  sometimes  streaked  with 
oranee  or  brown. 


Order  XXVI.  TKO(;ONIFORMES.     Tkoco.v-tkibe. 

The  birds  constituting  this  very  distinct  Order  are  chicHy  remarkable  J '.i.se  (i.O.] 
on  account  of  the  uni([ue  structure  of  the  foot,  in  whicli  the  first  and 
second  toes  arc  directed  backwards  and  the  third  and  fourth  forwards. 

Family  Tkogonidk.     Tkogons. 

The  single  family  {Tnii/(iiii(/<e)  includes  nearly  fifty  species,  all  birds 
of  bright  plumage,  some,  such  as  the  Quezal,  being  unsurpassed  in 
brilliancy  of  colouring.  The  various  genera  are  distributed  over  Africa, 
India,  and  the  Indo-Malayan  region,  as  well  as  Central  and  South 
America,  where  the  majority  of  the  species  occur.  That  the  Trogons 
are  a  very  ancient  type  of  bird-life  and  once  inliabited  the  Palaeavctic 
region,  is  proved  by  the  discovery  of  the  fossil  Trogou  rjallicus  in  the 
Lower  Miocene  of  France.  Their  plumage  is  of  the  softest  description, 
and  the  skin  of  the  body  so  delicate  and  thin  that  it  resembles  damj) 
tissue-paper,  and  consequently  these  birds  are  the  most  difficult  of  all 
to  preserve.  They  frequent  the  thickest  forest,  and  arc  of  rather 
sluggish  habits,  feeding  chicHy  on  fruits  and  insects  which  are  captured 
on  tiie  wing.  The  eggs,  which  are  white  tinged  with  bluish  or  butt", 
are  deposited  in  a  hole  bored  in  some  rotten  stump  or  branch,  and  the 
young  when  hatched  are  said  to  be  naked. 

The  most  splendid  member  is  the  Quezal  {Pharouiacrus  muciimo) 
(137lj,  from  the  highlands  of  Central  America,  with  the  upper  wiug- 
and  tail-coverts  greatly  lengthened  and  forming  brilliant  metallic-green 
ornamental  plumes.  This  species  has  been  adopted  as  the  national 
emblem  of  the  Republic  of  Guatemala  and  figures  on  the  postage- 
stamps  of  that  country.  Of  the  other  South  American  genera  we 
may  mention  the  Cuban  species  Prioiwtelus  temnurus  (1374),  with  the 
plumage  alike  in  both  sexes  and  the  tail-feathers  deeply  excised,  and 
the  many  species  belonging  to  the  genus  jTro^ow  (1375-9),  several  of 
which  are  shown.  In  Africa  the  group  is  represented  by  three  specie* 
belonging  to  the  genus  Hitpaloderina  (1380),  and  in  the  Indo-Malayan 
region  by  Harpacfes  (1381-3),  and  Htijjfihtrpuctes  (1384). 


98 


Dllll)  GALLEKY. 


Order  XXVII.  CUCULIFORMES.     Cltckoo-tribh. 

Tlif  Ijirds  coniprising-  this  order  furin  a  fairly  well-marked  group,  and 
are  divided  into  two  families,  tlie  Ciiciiliihe  or  Cuekoos,  and  the  Almo- 
lihuij'uhe  or  Turacos.  la  the  former  the  foot  is  of  the  true  zygodactylous 
type,  with  tlie  first  and  fourtli  toes  turned  backwards  and  the  second 
and  tliird  forwards;  Init  in  the  Turacos  tlie  fourth  toe  is  less  completely 
reversed,  and  we  find  what  is  known  as  a  semi-zygodactylous  type, 
similar  to  that  seen  in  the  Madagascar  Hollers. 

Family  1.  Cucuhd.e.     Cuckoos.      (Plate  XXII.  fig.  1.) 

[( ';isi-  (54  ^  '^\\Q  CucuUihe  are  a  cosmopolitan  family,  feeding  on  insects  and 
fruits,  and  specially  interesting  on  account  of  the  peculiar  parasitic 
habits  of  many  of  the  species,  which  impose  the  burden  of  hatching 
their  eggs  and  rearing  their  young  on  other  birds.  One  or  more  eggs 
are  placed  iu  the  nest  of  some  suitable  foster-mother,  whose  owu  young 
are  subsequently  ejected  by  the  youug  Cuckoo.  Many  Cuckoos, 
however,  are  not  parasitic,  but  build  their  own  uests  and  rear  their 
young  in  the  ordinary  manner. 

Six  subfamilies  are  recognised ;  the  first  including  the  true  Cuckoos 
{Ciicii/iiuc),  hawk-like  birds,  of  which  our  common  Cuckoo  {Cuculus 
caiwrit.s)  (1385)  [PI.  XXII.  fig.  1],  from  whose  note  the  family  derives 
its  name,  is  the  type.  It  is  a  summer  visitor  to  Great  Britain,  Eurojje, 
and  Asia,  migrating  southwards  iu  winter  as  far  as  Australia  and 
South  Africa.  The  female  deposits  her  egg  on  the  ground,  and  conveys 
it  in  her  bill  to  the  nest  of  the  foster-parent,  the  latter  being  generally 
some  insectivorous  bird  such  as  a  Pipit,  Wagtail,  or  Warbler,  etc.  The 
eggs  laid  by  different  individuals  differ  greatly  iu  colour,  and  often 
resemble  those  of  the  host ;  the  most  remarkable  type  of  egg  is  blue, 
and  generally  found  in  nests  of  the  Redstart,  when  it  is  only  to  be 
distinguished  l)y  its  greater  size.  The  large  Hawk-Cuckoo  [Hierocuccyx 
sparverioides)  (1384)  of  the  Himalaya  and  Eastern  Asia  closely  resembles 
in  appearance  and  flight  a  species  of  Sparrow-Hawk  [Accipiter  vin/attis) 
found  in  the  same  countries.  This  resemblance  is  quite  unexplained  ; 
but,  as  it  is  sufficient  to  cause  great  alarm  to  small  birds  in  general,  is 
possibly  connected  with  the  breeding  habits.  Another  well-known 
member  is  the  so-called  "  Brain-fever- Bird"  {Cuccomaiitis  meruliiKoi) 
(1386). 

A  well-known  European  and  African  species  is  the  Great  Spotted 
Cuckoo  [Cuccystes  pamdarius)  (1382),  a  rare  straggler  to  Great  Britain. 
The  host  selected  by  this  bird  is  usually  a  Magpie  or  Crow,  and  from 
four  to  eight  eggs  have  been  iouud  in  one  nest.  The  Drougo-Cuckoos 
[Sunuculus)    (1383)    are    small   black    species    closely   resembling    the 


w 

< 


CULKOOS.  99 

Drongos  [Dicrurus)  (see  p.  133),  in  whose  nests  they  are  said   to  place 
their  eggs.     Tlie  smallest  members  of  the  group  are  the  beautiful  little 
species  of   ('hrysococciju-  found   in  the   Old   World,   and  of    these  the 
Emerald    Cuckoo    (C.    smarmjdineus)    (1387)    of    Africa    is    the    most 
lovely.     The  hosts  selected  by  these  birds  are  Suu-birds  and  Finches. 
In  America  the  subfamily  is  represented  by  tlie  genus   Cocci/zk.s-,  the 
members  of  which  are  not  parasitic   but   build   their  own  nests,   and 
are  said  to  be  )nost  affectionate  parents.      The   Yellow-billed   Cuckoo 
(C.  fimeric(iiins)    (1391)   has  on  several  occasions  visited  Great  J5ritaiu. 
The  Indian  Koel  {Eudyiiamis  honoruta)  (1396)  represents  a  fruit-eating 
Oriental  genus  in  which  the  plumage  of  the  sexes  is  unlike,  the  male 
being  black  and  the  female  brown,  variously  barred,  mottled  and  spotted 
with    black    and   white.       The  eggs  are  greenish,  blotched  with  grey 
and  brown,  and  are   placed  in  the  nests   of   Crows.     Lastly   we  must 
mention    the    extraordinary    Channel-bill    Cuckoo     {Scijthrops    norte- 
hollandue)  (1398),  with  its  great  grooved  bill,  ranging  from   Celebes  to 
Australia.     This  bird  places  its  eggs  in  the  nests  of  the  Piping  Crows. 
The  Crow-Pheasants  or   Lark-heeled  Cuckoos   {Ceiifropodiiue)    include 
but  a  single  genus,  Ceuiropus  (1392-1394),  including  more  than  thirty 
species  ranging  from  Africa  and  Southern  Asia  to  Australia.     They  are 
not  parasitic,  but  make  a  large  globular  nest,  generally  with  an  entrance 
in  the  side,  and  may  often  be  seen  walking  on  the  ground.  The  Common 
Coucal  (C.  sinensis-)  (1392)  and  several  allied  forms  are  exhibited. 

The  third  subfamily,  Phcenicuphnlixc,  includes  a  number  of  non- 
l»arasitic  forms,  with  very  inferior  powers  of  flight,  inhabiting  the  thick 
bush  of  the  Old  and  New  Worlds,  and  spending  much  of  their  time  on 
the  ground.  To  this  group  belong  the  various  American  species  of 
Saio-ot/tera  (1399-1400),  IL/cforiiis  (1401),  and  Piaya  (1402-1404), 
locally  known  as  "  Rainbirds  "  ;  the  Malkohas  of  the  genera  Zmic/osfomus 
(1407),  Rhoijodytcs  (1407  a),  P/ioe,iirop/wes  (1408),  R/Kuiijdwcoccyx 
(1409-1410),  Rhiiiortha  (1405),  and  Taccocua  (1408)  from  Eastern  Asia 
and  the  neighbouring  islands  ;  the  remarkable  Philippine  species  Dasy. 
laphus  supercUiosiis  (1412)  and  Lepidoyrammus  cmninyi  (1413)  ;  and  the 
various  species  of  JMadagascar  Cuckoos  [Coua),  of  which  the  blue 
species  C.  caiulea  (1415)  is  a  striking  example. 

The  fourth  subfamily,  Neomorp/dna,  includes  the  large  and  handsome 
Pheasant-Cuckoo  [Carpocuccyx  radia.tus)  (1416)  from  Borneo,  the  well- 
known  Road-runner  or  Chaparral-cock  [Geococcy.e  mexieanus)  (1418), 
from  the  thinly  wooded  or  barren  plains  of  South-western  N.  America, 
and  one  or  two  other  New  World  forms. 

Diplopk'rus  ,nei;ius  (1419)  and  Dromococcijx  pImsiaiieUus  (1420) 
represent  the  fifth  subfamily  Diploptunna',  found  in  Central  and  South 
America. 

Lastly  the    L'rotDphayime,    also   a    New   World   group,  includes    the 


J*"'  KIKI)   CIALI.KIIY. 

White  Aiiis  (Giilri,)  (1422)  and  the  IMack  Auis  {Cm/ojjha,,/,)  { 1421).  The 
hitter  are  remarkable  on  acconnt  of  their  nesting-habits,  the  females 
forming  huge  co-operative  nests^  in  which  they  deposit  their  eggs 
and  sit  in  company.  The  eggs  are  blue,  with  a  peculiar  overlying 
chalky  incrustation. 

Family  II.  ^Mlsopiiagid.i:.  Touka( os. 
[Case  (13.]  These  birds,  often  called  Plantain-eaters,  and  locally  known  a* 
"  Lowries,"  include  about  twenty-five  species  grouped  in  six  geuera. 
All  are  peculiar  to  the  forests  of  Africa,  generally  frequenting  the 
highest  trees,  and  feeding  on  various  fruits  and  insects.  Like  the 
Pigeons  they  build  a  flat  nest  of  twigs,  and  lay  rounded  greenish-  or 
bluish-white  eggs.  Many  of  the  species  are  beautifully  coloured,  while 
others  arc  mostly  grey.  To  the  former  category  belong  the  numerous 
species  of  Tumciis  (]H2b),  and  a  few  included  in  GoUirex  (1428)  and 
Musoj'//ni//i  ( 1429).  All  these  liirds  havethe  tlight-feathers  mostly  crimson 
and  j'ield  a  peculiar  jiigment  called  Turacin,  which  contains  copper 
and  may  be  reduced  to  a  powder.  [See  preparation  in  Case.]  This 
IS  so  soluble  that  the  colour  is  washed  out  of  the  quills  during  heavy 
rains,  though  subsequently  renewed.  The  grecu  colour  in  these  birds 
is  also  of  peculiar  interest,  being  due  to  the  actual  presence  of  green 
pigment  in  the  feathers.  This  colour  is  not  found  in  any  other  bird 
(see  p.  207).  The  Violet  Touraco  ( Miifiiijj/i(ii/a  rin/ncca)  (1429)  represents 
the  only  species  lacking  a  well-developed  crest,  but  possesses  an  orna- 
mental frontal  shield  somewhat  similar  to  that  found  in  the  Common  Coot. 
The  Great  Crested  Touraco  {Cvri/t/ueo/a  rriKtatu)  (1430),  the  largest 
member  of  the  family,  is  also  a  very  handsomely-coloured  biril,  but  the 
species  of /SW«'-(//7(/.v  ( 1431) and G'y«;»&«c///co;7//.s- (1432),  the  two  remaining 
genera,  are  dull-coloured  and  mostly  of  a  grey  or  greyish-l)rown  tint. 

A  remarkable  fossil  form  (Nccrurnis)  occurs  in  the  Middle  Miocene 
of  France,  indicating  that  the  family  is  one  of  great  antiquity. 


Order  XXVIII.  PICIFORMES.     Woodpeckers  and  allies. 

The  Toucans,  Barbets,  Honey-Guides,  and  Woodpeckers  rei>resenting 
this  order  possess  many  structural  characters  in  common,  such  as  thcii' 
zygodactylous  foot,  with  the  first  and  fourth  toes  directed  backwards 
and  the  second  and  third  forwards. 

Family  I.  Rhamtuastid.e.     Toucans. 

[Case  65.]       The  Toucans   are  a  large  and  brightly-coloured    group,   plentifully 
represented  in   the  forests  of  Central  and  South  America,  especially  in 


TOUCANS.  ^^'■ 

the  great  wooded  regions  of  Amazonia.  They  are  easily  recogiiised  by 
the  extraordinary  sliape  and  size  of  the  bill,  only  rivalled  by  that  of 
the  Hornbills,  and  may  be  regarded  as  representing  the  latter  birds  in 
South  America.  In  spite  of  its  great  bulk,  the  bill,  though  strong,  is 
remarkably  light,  the  thin  external  walls  l)eing  sujiported  by  a  delicate 
network  of  bony  fibres,  forming  cells  to  which  the  air  has  constant 
access.  They  feed  chiefly  on  fruit,  varying  this  diet  with  insects,  eggs, 
and  young  birds.  The  peculiar  long,  very  slender  tongue,  with  barbed 
edges,  is  not  adapted  for  conveying  food  to  the  pharynx,  and  each 
morsel  is  swallowed  by  throwing  back  the  head  and  allowing  it  to  drop 
into  the  gullet.  In  spite  of  their  zygodaetylous  feet  these  birds  do  not 
climb  like  tlie  Woodpeckers,  but  jump  from  branch  to  branch  after  the 
manner  of  Hornbills.  Not  only  the  long,  soft  plumage,  but  the  bill 
and  naked  parts  of  the  face  are  ornamented  with  the  brightest  colours. 
When  roosting.  Toucans  have  a  remarkable  habit  of  raising  the  tail  and 
i)cnding  it  forwards  over  the  back  (as  shown  in  the  mounted  example 
of  the  Orange-breasted  Toucan  {R/irimjj/ius/os  vlteHiiius)  (1439).  They 
arc  able  to  assume  this  position  owing  to  the  perfect  ball-and-socket 
articulation  of  the  caudal  vcrtebne.  About  sixty  s])ceics  arc  recognised 
and  grouped  into  the  five  genera  Rhmitjihustos,  Aiidigenu  (1440-1442), 
Rivroj/lussus,  Selcniduru,  and  Au/ncor/iump/ius,  and  all,  so  far  as  is  known, 
deposit  oval  white  eggs  in  the  hollow  limbs  of  tall  trees  ;  the  young  are 
hatched  naked.  The  largest  members  belong  to  the  genus  Rliamphustos, 
of  which  R.  tvro  (,1436)  is  one  of  the  most  robust,  and  the  most  brilliant 
e  the  Araearis  (Ptiniyloums)  (1 443-1 449 ).  The  members  of  the  genus 
^elenidcni  (1450-1451)  are  remarkable  in  having  the  plumage  differently 
coloured  in  the  male  and  female,  and  flic  Green  Toucans  [Aulaco- 
i-hamphiis)  (1452-1455)  are  at  once  recognisable  by  their  uniform  style 
(jf  plumage,  which  imitates  the  colour  of  the  forest-leaves. 


L'amily  II.  Capitoxid-E.     Bakbets. 

The  members  of  this  family  are  small,  rather  lieavily-buiit  birds,  with  _''«?e  tW.j 
a  large  stout  bill,  usually  beset  with  strong  black  bristles,  and  generally 
with  brilliantly-coloured  plumage.  They  inhabit  the  forests  and  well- 
timbered  districts  throughout  Tropical  Asia,  Africa,  and  America,  and 
are  strictly  arboreal  in  their  habits,  hopping  from  branch  to  branch, 
aiul  sometimes  climbing  up  and  down  the  trunk  in  search  of  insects. 
In  their  habits  they  are  remarkably  inactive,  and  often  sit  motionless 
for  hours  at  a  time,  uttering  their  noisy  ringing  note,  which  may  be 
heard  at  intervals  throughout  the  day  and  on  moonlight  nights,  lu 
some  species  the  sound  is  singularly  metallic,  and  has  gained  for  them 
such    appropriate   names    as    "  Copper-smith "    {Xaiithohema    hcemato- 


u 


'  '-  Biitu  oai,li:kv. 

crp/ui/a)  (1474),  "Tiiikcr-l)ir(l"  (Barhatuh,  jaisUla)  (1464),  and  "Iron- 
smith"  {Cynnops)  (1471-1473).  Fruits,  buds,  :iiid  insects  form  their 
prmcipal  food,  but  in  captivity  tliey  will  eat  meat  or  small  birds. 
From  three  to  five  oval  white  eggs  arc  laid  in  a  hole  in  a  soft-wooded 
or  dead  tree  excavated  by  the  birds,  who  cut  a  neat  circular  entrance 
similar  to  that  made  by  the  Woodpeckers.  More  than  a  hundred 
species  arc  recognised  and  grouped  into  some  twenty  genera,  nearly 
all  of  which  are  represented  in  the  Case. 

Among  the  more  striking  we  may  draw  attention  to  the  tooth-billed 
forms  such  as  I'oijDuurhijnchuK  ihihiiis  (1456),  with  the  base  of  the  bill 
hidden  by  dense  tufts  of  bristles,  and  its  allies  belonging  to  the  genera 
Lrjbins  (1457-1458),  and  Triclwhrma  (1459-1460).  In  all  the  othei- 
genera  the  edge  of  the  upper  mandible  is  entire.  An  exception  to 
the  gaudy  plumage  and  striking  contrasts  in  colour  is  found  in  the 
West  African  forms  Gymmbucco  calvua  (1461),  with  its  curious  ban- 
head,  and  i/e/ZoZ/Mv-y  bdnapartet  (1462)  ;  also  in  Colorban/pbiis  boyi  (\H66] 
from  the  Malay  Peninsula ;  all  three  are  birds  of  singularly  plain  a|)- 
pearance.  One  of  the  largest  is  the  Great  Himalayan  Barbet  (Mryo- 
Uema  marsboUomm)  (1467),  and  the  most  brilliantly  coloured  members 
are  found  in  tbe  Oriental  genus  r>/(fv«  ( 1471-1473)  and  the  South 
American  Cupito  (1480-1484),  which  are  remarkable  in  having  the 
plumage  of  the  sexes  different. 


Family  III.  Indicatorid.«.  Hoxev-Guides. 
[Casp  (;■".]  This  small  family  of  dull-coloured  birds  includes  about  a  dozen 
species  mainly  confined  to  Africa  ;  but  two  species  occur  in  the 
Oriental  region,  one  inhabiting  the  Himalaya,  and  the  second  the 
Malay  Peninsula  and  Borneo.  The  popular  name  is  derived  from  the 
curious  habit  of  certain  African  species,  which  lead  men  to  bees'  nests 
for  the  sake  of  sharing  the  spoil.  On  observing  a  man  the  bird  comes 
fluttering  from  branch  to  branch,  uttering  a  shrill  cry  to  attract 
attention,  and,  if  followed,  gradually  leads  him  to  a  nest  of  bees,  its 
object  being  to  obtain  the  portions  of  the  comb  containing  the  grubs. 
The  two  Oriental  species  are  not  known  to  share  this  peculiar  habit ; 
but,  so  far  as  is  known,  the  food  of  all  the  Honey-Guides  consists  of 
Hymenoptera.  The  white  eggs  are  deposited  in  a  hole  in  the  stem  or 
branch  of  a  tree,  and  the  birds  are  said  to  utilize  the  old  nest-hole  of  a 
Barbet  or  Woodpecker  for  the  purpose.  The  species  of  Indicator,  of 
which  the  Common  Honey-Guide  (1486)  is  a  well-known  e.Kample,  have 
a  stout,  rather  finch-like  bill,  while  ui  Prodoliscus  reffulus(\Mi}  and  its 
allies  it  is  more  slender  and  pointed. 


wnrniPFCKKKs.  ]03 


Family  I\'.   Pkid.i.:.      Woodpkcreks.     (Plate  XXI.) 

Tills    large  and   important  family  of  scansorial   birds  with  zygodac-  [Cnf^c  m 
tylous  feet,  inehidiiig  nearly  four  hundred  species,  ranges  over  almost 
the  whole  of  the  temperate  and   tropical  regions  of  the  world,  lint  is 
absent  from  Madagascar,  Polynesia,  and  Australia.      It  is  divided  into 
three  subfamilies  :  the  true  Woodpeckers  {Picince),  the  Piculets  {Picum- 
»>n^),  and  the  Wrynecks  [lynghuf) .     The  bill  is  generally  strong  and 
wedge-shaped  and  modified  into  a  powerful  cutting  weapon.     With  the 
chisel-like  tip  of  the  upper  mandible  propelled  by  the  powerful  neck- 
muscles,  the  bird  can  cut  away  the  bark  of  trees  to  look  for  insects, 
open  with  ease  hard-shelled  fruits  such  as  nuts,  and  make  deep  holes  in 
the  trunks  or  branches  for  its  nest.     In  the  ground-feeding  forms,  such 
as  the  species  of  Colaptes  (1490) ,  the  bill  is  more  curved.     The  tongue  is 
excessively  long  and  vermiform,  pointed  and  barbed  at  the  tip  and  cap- 
able of  great  protrusion  ;  it  is  su])plied  with  sticky  mucus  from  the  large 
salivary  glands,  which  causes  insects,  their  larvae'  and  eggs  to  adhere  to 
It.      In  nearly  all  the  cornua  or  "  horns "  of  the   hyoid  bone  which 
supports  the  tongue  are  of  enormous  length,  and  slide  round  the  skull, 
passing  in  a  muscular  sheath   from  the  side  of  the  gullet  round  the 
occiput   to  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible.     This  extraordinary  struc- 
ture IS  well  shown  in  the  preparations  of  the  head  of  the  Green'  Wood- 
jieckcr  {Gedmif<  riridis)  (1496,  1497)  exhibited  in  the  Case. 

The  eggs  are  round   and   glossy,  and  the  young  when  hatched  are 
naked. 

The    subfamily    Pichue   includes     the    great    bulk    of    the    species, 
distinguished    by  having    the  tail    composed   of   stiff  pointed  feathers' 
which  support  the   bird  when  climbing.     Of  the  species  which  feed  on 
the  ground,  examples  will   be  found  in  Geocolaptes  olivaceus  (1489)   of 
S.  Africa,   and  the   Golden-winged   Woodpecker  or  Flicker   [Colaptes 
anraivs)  (1490)  of  N.  America.     The  genus  Gecinns  includes  a  number 
of  nearly  allied  species,  the  most  familiar  being  the  Green  Woodpecker 
or  -YafHe"  (G.  nm&)  (1492),  a  common  resident   m  many  parts  of 
England  and  Wales,  and   ranging  across    Europe  to  Persia. '   It  feeds 
largely  on  ants,  and  may  frequently  be  seen  on  the  ground.     Lewis's 
Woodpecker    [Asi/ndesm,,.,  torquafvs)    (1494),  of  Western  N.  America 
■  s    remarkable    in    having    the  feathers   of  the  collar    and  uuderparts' 
with  the   barbs  disconnected.     [See  preparation.]      Another  handsome 
American  genus  is   Melonerpes   (1507-1510),  of   which   five  tynes  are 
shown,  the  Ant-eating  species  {M.fonmdrorm)  (1521),  exhibited  ou  the 
floor  of  the  Case,  being  depicted  in  the  act  of  laying  up  its  winter  store 
of  nuts  which  It  places  in  holes  in  the  bark.     The  Rufous  Woodpecker 
[Micmpf.rnvs  phteoceps)   (1502),  from  South-eastern  Asia,  represents  a 


lOi. 


HI  HI)   CAI.LKRY. 


peculiar  type  of  coloration.  Tlic  large  genus  Di'iidrocopiis  is  represented 
in  England  by  two  species,  the  (Jreatcr  Spotted  Woodpecker  (D.  major) 
(1518)  [PI.  XXI.]  and  the  Lesser  Spotted  Woodpecker  (D.  miaur)  (1522), 
the  latter  being  shown  with  its  ncsting-holc  on  the  floor  of  the  Case. 
Another  species,  whicii  is  said  to  have  been  twice  ])rocnred  in  England, 
is  the  American  Hairy  Woodpecker  (D.  vH/dsks)  (1623).  Two  well- 
known  European  birds  are  the  Three-toed  Woodpecker  ( I'icoirlr'f! 
tridactijhis)  (1524),  representing  a  genus  in  whicli  the  first  toe  is 
wanting,  aiul  the  ^liddlc  Spotted  Woodpecker  [Dvndrocoptcs  mcdius) 
(1520),  noteworthy  as  having  the  sexes  almost  alike  in  plumage,  the 
crown  of  the  female  being  only  slightly  less  brilliant  in  colour.  The 
smallest  members  of  the  Pichue  belong  to  the  genus  Ii/ri(jijjici(s  (1525), 
and  among  the  largest  forms  will  be  noted  the  Great  Black  Woodpecker 
{Picus  martins)  (1513)  of  N.  Europe,  the  still  larger  Ivory-billed  Wood- 
peckers of  America,  of  which  the  Mexican  species  [Campopliilus 
impenalis)  (1511)  is  shown,  and  the  Great  Slaty  Woodpecker  [Hcmi- 
lophiis  pidi-eru/enfus)    (1495)  from  the  Indo-Malayau  countries. 

The  second  subfamily  Picumniiue  includes  about  forty  very  small 
Woodpeckers  known  as  Piculcts,  with  the  tail-feathers  very  short  and 
rounded.  They  are  distributed  over  Central  and  South  America,  West 
Africa,  and  the  Indian  i-egion.  Representatives  of  two  of  the  four 
genera  recognised  will  be  found  in  llargitt's  Piculet  [Picumnus  un- 
/fn/ntus)  (1515)  from  Guiana,  and  the  Rufous  Piculet  {Sasia  ochracea) 
(1514)  from  North  India  and  ]3urma,  the  latter  possessing  only  three 
toes,  the  first  being  absent. 

Of  the  Wrynecks,  representing  the  third  subfamily  IijiKfuue,  four 
species  are  known,  all  included  in  one  genus,  Itjna:.  They  are  charac- 
terised by  their  long  tail,  composed  of  soft  flexible  feathers,  and  by 
their  mottled  plumage  somewhat  similar  to  that  of  the  Nightjar.  The 
Common  Wryneck  or  "  Cuckoo's-mate  "  [I.  lorquilla)  (1516),  a  well- 
known  summer-visitor  to  Great  Britain,  is  found  throughout  almost 
the  whole  of  Europe  and  Asia  and  migrates  southwards  in  winter  to 
India  and  Africa.  As  a  nesting  site  it  makes  use  of  any  convenient 
hole  in  a  tree,  or  occasionally  in  an  earth-cutting  or  sand-bank.  Its 
food,  which  consists  largely  of  ants,  is  mostly  procured  ou  the  ground. 
The  other  species,  one  of  which  (/.  pectora/is)-  (1517)  is  shown,  are 
confined  to  Africa  and  have  the  fore-neck  and  chest  rufous. 


Family  V.  Bucconid.e.     Pcjff-Biuds. 

I  Case  67.''  The  Puff-birds  are  mostly  dull-coloured  birds,  and  natives  of  Central 
and  South  America.  They  ditt'cr  from  the  Woodpeckers  in  various 
anatomical  characters,  and  may  be  recognised  externally  by  their  stout 


PLATE    XXI. 


■>' 


^•ii 


m^^. 


<a^?s:?^^--:*- 


v.- 


,    -- 

-:$- 

^ 

.  1 .        1 

A- 

■r1;- 

y^^ 

"'.C 

jy ' 

;^- 

^ 

X'- 

-^ 


^ 


i-. 


f 


,/ 


/ 


Gkkater  Spottep  Woodpeckeks  [Dc?idroi\>piis  !)h!Jor)  ANlt  Young.     Nesting  Series,   No.  78. 
(/,  adult   male  ;    <;,  nrluit  fi'iiialc;    /',  r,  /■,  young. 


jaca:m  AKS. 


lo: 


curved  bill,  hooked  at  the  tip  in  the  >;euus  Bncco  (1533-45),  and  tliiekly 
beset  with  bristles.  There  is  no  after-sliaft  to  tlie  contour-feathers. 
They  inliabit  the  dense  forests,  and  are  said  to  resemble  Bee-eaters  or 
Flycatchers  in  their  liabits,  most  of  the  insects  on  which  they  feed  being- 
captured  on  the  wing.  Very  little  is  known  of  their  nesting-habits,  but 
theBrasilian  Swallow-wing  {('/lel/i/ojj/era /jrasi//i-/isi>!)  (1532)  is  kriownto 
breed  in  jioles  iu  banks  and  lay  wliite  eggs,  ilorc  than  forty  species 
are  rccoguiscd  and  grouped  into  seven  genera,  and  representatives  ot 
four  of  tliese  are  exhibited  iu  the  Case. 

Family  VI.  (JAi.BULro.E.     Jacamaks. 

The  distribution  of  this  family,  like  that  of  the  nearly  allied  Biirco-  L' 'i^^«  '^'-j 
niche,  is  Central  and  South  American.  In  general  appearance  they 
resemble  the  Bee-eaters.  Tlie  bill  is  long,  slender  and  pointed,  the 
plumage  often  metallic,  and  the  contour-feathers  have  an  after-shalt. 
The  feet  are  zygodactylous,  and  iu  the  genus  Jncamara/ci/o/i  (1560)  the 
hind  toe  is  absent.  Their  habits  and  mode  of  feeding  are  very  similar 
to  those  of  the  Puft'-birds,  but  the  Jacamars  more  often  frequent  the 
outskirts  of  forests  in  the  neighbourhood  of  streams.  They  nest  in 
holes  in  banks,  and  possibly  in  holes  in  stumps,  and  lay  white  eggs. 
About  twenty  species  are  known  belonging  to  six  genera,  all  of  which 
will  be  found  represented.  All  belong  to  the  subfamily  (utHmlina'  except 
the  Great  Jacamar  {Jaca/iicru^'s  gruiiJh)  (1561),  which,  on  account  of 
its  curved  bill  and  other  structural  characters,  is  placed  in  a  second 
subfamily,  Jucmnoperiiue. 


Order  XXIX.  EURYLEMIFORMES. 

The  members  of  this  order  a])pear  to  form  a  connecting-link  between 
the  Picarian  Birds  and  the  Passeres.  They  resemble  the  latter  in  having 
the  palate  segithoguathous  and  in  other  anatomical  characters,  but  differ 
iu  having  the  deep  plantar  tendons  which  serve  the  toes  united  by  a 
vinculum  or  band,  the  hind  toe  being  thus  incapable  of  independent 
action.     Only  one  family  is  recognised. 

Family  Euryl.emid.e.     Bhoad-bills. 

-\s  their  name  implies,  these  birds  are  characterised  by  their  broad  ('asu  67.] 
flat  bill.  They  inhabit  the  forests  of  South-eastern  Asia  and  the  adjacent 
islands,  feeding  mostly  on  insects,  or,  in  some  eases,  on  berries  and 
fruits,  and  leading  a  quiet  inactive  existence.  The  nest — a  large  oval 
structure,  composed  of  grass,  moss,  and  fibres — has  an  opening  at  the 
side    and  is   suspended  from  a   thin    branch.      The  eggs   are  wh'te  or 


^^"  niRD  aAI.LERY. 

cream-coloured,  and  in  some  species  heavily  spotted  towards  tlic  larger 
cud. 

To  the  subfamily  Cahjiitonienhue  belong  three  beautiful  species  with 
the  nostrils  hidden  by  the  erect  frontal  plumes  and  the  plumage  mostly 
vivid  greeu.  All  three  are  represented  in  the  Case;  Culyptomena  tuhitc- 
headi  (1562),  the  largest,  and  C.  ho.ie'i  (1563),  with  its  bright  blue 
breast,  both  very  rare  birds,  being  peculiar  to  the  highlands  of  ]5orneo, 
while  the  smaller  C.  virkJix  (1564),  a  jiair  of  which  arc  mounted 
with  their  uest,  is  more  widely  distributed  in  the  Indo-JVIalayan 
region. 

The  second  subfamily,  Eurylamina;,  includes  a  number  of  handsome 
forms,  such  as  Horsfield's  Broad-bill  {Eurijlcemus  javaiikiis)  (1565)  and 
the  Long-tailed  Broad-bill  [Psarisomus  dalliousia;)  (1566),  and  the 
sombre-coloured  Dusky  Broad-bill  [Corydon  sumatranus)  (1567),  with 
its  remarkablv  wide  flattened  bill  like  that  of  a  Fros-mouth. 


Order  XXX.  MENURIFORMES. 

The  remarkable  Australian  forms  constituting  this  order  have  usually 
been  associated  with  the  Passeres,  but  differ  in  various  anatomical  points 
and  the  nestling  is  covered  with  dense  down.  Only  one  family  is 
known. 

Family  Menurid.i:.     Lyre-Bihds.      (PI.  XXIII.  fig.  1.) 

(■Cat^e  fir  ]  The  three  large  species  of  Menura  (1568)  included  in  this  family  arc 
all  natives  of  Anstralia  and  inhabit  the  precipitous  rocky  gullies  in 
thick  forests  with  tangled  undergrowth,  feeding  on  mollusca,  worms, 
beetles,  and  other  insects.  They  are  remarkable  for  their  immensely 
developed  legs  and  feet,  with  long,  stout,  slightly  curved  claws,  with 
which  they  scratch  up  the  soil  like  Game-birds  m  search  of  insects,  and 
for  the  extraordinary  shape  and  structure  of  the  tail-feathers  in  the 
male,  the  outer  pair  being  curved  like  a  lyre.  In  the  female  the  tail  is 
long  and  normally  shaped.  The  natural  cry  is  a  loud  liquid  gnrgliug 
sound,  but  these  birds  also  possess  great  powers  of  reproducing  the  song 
and  calls  of  other  birds  and  animals,  or  any  other  sound  they  may  hear. 
The  oval  domed  nest  (1669),  placed  sometimes  on  the  ground,  some- 
times on  trees,  contains  one  large  egg,  blotched  and  marked  with  purplish 
brown. 


PLATE    XXIII. 


IMO.     I. 


TM 


./,   fenialr 


^^M 


w^ 


■-_--^' 


KvKiC    i-ilki)s    ^  \l,-niir>!    utpi-Hhi).       No.    1568. 


Kio. 


,1 ,   iiiaU'.  /%  female. 

CjAKDKNKK    Uowek-IUkI's    [Aiuhlyon/is  inoniaUi).      No.   2675. 


ri:RCHrN"c-iuiu)> 


107 


Older  XXXI.  PxVSSERIFORMES.     Pi;u(  iiiMi-T?ii<i'-. 

This  order,  coiuprisiiig  the  rest  of  the  living  nienibers  of  the  chl^^ 
Avcs,  includes  between  five  and  six  thousand  speeies,  nearly  all  beiui;- 
birds  of  small  size. 

The  feet  are  adapted  for  perching,  three  of  the  toes  being  directed 
forwards  and  one  backwards.  The  front  toes  are  generally  separate 
from  one  another  to  the  Ijase.  The  hind  toe  is  long,  inserted  low  down 
and  moved  by  a  separate  tendon  from  that  which  serves  the  front  toes, 
so  that  it  is  capable  of  being  powerfully  opposed  to  them,  like  a  thumb. 
The  palate  is  tegithognathous,  the  vomer  being  broad  and  truncate  and 
the  maxillo-palatiue  bones  separate  from  one  another  (Appendix, 
p.  209).  This  arrangement  of  the  deep  plantar  tendons  of  the  foot, 
which  is  termed  "  passerine,"  combined  with  the  icgithognathons  palate, 
is  characteristic  of  the  Order. 

Passerine  birds  are  divided  into  two  sections,  the  Acrontijodi  or 
Singing-Birds,  and  the  Mcsoi/ii/oi/i  or  Songless  Passercs.  This  division, 
however,  is  based  on  the  anatomical  strncturc  of  the  syrinx  or  lower 
larynx,  in  which  the  voice  is  produced,  rather  than  on  the  actnal  power 
of  producing  melodious  notes  in  a  certain  se(iuencc.  In  the  Arroniijodi 
the  intrinsic  mnsclcs  of  the  syrinx  arc  complex  and  consist  of  numerous 
pairs  fixed  to  the  t-nds  of  the  bronchial  semi-rings;  while  in  the  Meso- 
iiiijodi  the  muscles  are  simple,  consisting  in  many  cases  of  only  one  pair, 
inserted  into  the  viidd/c  of  the  bronchial  semi-rings  (Appendix,  p.  ."il^). 

All  our  song-birds  belong  to  the  Acromyodian  group,  but  there  are 
numerous  Passerine  birds  possessing  the  less  complicated  ]\Icsomyodeau 
apparatus  which  can  utter  notes  more  deserving  of  the  term  song  than 
some,  such  as  the  Crows,  referred  to  the  former  division. 


Section  A.  MESOMYODI.     Songless  Bikos. 

The  Mesomyodean  Passeres  are  further  divided  into  two  groups — 
Trachtoiiliomc  and  Oli(j(imijod(e — the  formei'  having  the  lower  end  of  the 
trachea  modified  to  form  an  organ  of  song,  while  in  the  latter  the 
reverse  obtains. 

Group   I.     THACHEQPUOXJE. 

Four  families  are  recognised,  characterised  by  the  shape  of  the 
sternum  and  by  the  structure  of  the  tarsal  scutes.  In  the  Pteruptochkue 
and  ConojMphagldce  the  sternum  has  four  posterior  notches,  in  this 
respect  differing  from  all  other  Passeres ;  while  in  the  For  mica  riidce  and 
lieiidrocohi/jtidd'  there  are  only  two  notches. 


i"^  BIKI)  (iALLEKY. 

Family  I.   Pteroptochid.i:.     Tatacolas. 

[C'ii?e  n>'.  These  small  Wreu-like  birds,  cliaracteriseil  by  their  large  i-obust  t'cet 
with  straight  claws,  range  from  Costa  Rica  through  South  America  to 
Patagonia  and  the  Falkland  Islands,  and  occur  up  to  an  altitude  of 
9000  or  10,000  feet.  They  are  shy  and  retiring  in  their  habits,  liiding 
themselves  in  thick  cover,  where  they  iiop  actively  from  bough  to  bough, 
or  lun  like  mice  on  the  ground,  the  tail  being  carried  in  an  elevated 
position,  which  adds  to  their  general  Wren-like  appearance.  Little  is 
known  of  their  nesting  habits,  but  in  some  forms  the  nest  is  made  of  grass 
or  moss  and  placed  near  the  ground,  while  others,  such  as  Pferoptochus 
(1570)  and  Hijlactes  (157t-2),  are  rej)orted  to  nest  in  burrows. 

Rather  more  than  twenty  species  are  recognised  and  grouped  iuto 
eight  genera,  some  of  which  will  be  found  i-epresented  in  the  Case. 

Family  II.  Coxopophagii)^.     Coxopophagas. 

[Ca-e  i>.  About  a  dozen  species,  all  found  in  South  America,  comprise  this 
family.  The  species  of  Conopophajja  (1577)  and  Cor[/(/iop/s  (1578),  the 
two  genera  recognised,  are  very  imperfectly  known,  and  nothing  appears 
to  have  l)een  recorded  concerning  their  habits. 

Family  III.  Fohmic akud.k.     Ant-birds. 

[Oa^f  fiS.J  This  large  and  characteristic  South-American  grouj)  of  about  260 
species  is  chicHy  confined  to  the  trojjical  forests  of  the  ncjrth,  ranging 
thence  in  diminishing  numbers  to  Central  America,  Chile,  and  Argentina. 
They  are  mostlj'  birds  of  very  retired  habits,  creeping  silently  about 
among  the  lower  branches  or  searching  for  insects  and  their  larvie  on  the 
ground  in  the  densest  and  thorniest  thickets.  Though  commonly  known 
as  "  Ant  "-birds,  it  is  now  believed  that  they  do  not  feed  on  them,  but 
on  the  insects  driven  up  by  the  swarms  of  foraging  ants. 

The  nesting  habits  are  very  imperfectly  known,  but  some  build  on 
or  near  the  ground  and  lay  white  or  variously  coloured  spotted  eggs. 

The  species  vary  greatly  in  outward  appearance,  and  are  divided  into 
three  subfamilies,  viz. : — ThamnujihUince,  or  Ant-Shrikes,  which  have 
the  strong  hooked  bill  toothed  at  the  extremity,  and  greatly  resemble 
the  true  Shrikes  {Lanius  eic.)  both  in  appearance  and  habits;  Formi- 
rarUtue,  which  recall  Thrushes  and  Warblers ;  and  the  long-legged 
Grulliinince,  which  look  like  the  Pittas  except  in  coloration. 

Among  the  more  notable  forms  of  the  Thamnoplnlinm  we  may  call 
attention  to  the  giant  of  the  grouj),  Balani  cinerea  (1580),  with  its 
lormidable  hooked  bill,  no  doubt  used  for  the  destruction  of  smaller 
birds  as  well  as  large  insects,  and  Ntoctantes  n'lyer  and  Vlytoctantes  ulixi, 
two  abnormal  types  with  curious  upturned  bills. 


PEItCHINC-IilliDS. 


109 


The  numerous  genera  of  the  Fonnirarliiue  are  difficult  to  define,  and 
merge  into  one  another.  The  larger  species  have  a  Thrush-like  aspect, 
while  the  smaller  and  more  delicate  forms  have  more  the  appearance  of 
Warblers  and  Wrens,  and  all  spend  the  greater  part  of  their  lives  on 
the  ground.  Pitfii/s  ulbifrons  (1598)  is  remarkable  for  its  crested  head 
and  leugtheued  throat-feathers. 

The  Grallartime  (1606-9)  are  ea>ily  recognised  by  their  long  legs  and 
short  tail.  They  are  entirely  terrestrial  in  their  luiliits,  and  resemble 
the  Pittas  in  form  and  the  Ground-Thrushes  in  their  style  of  coloration. 

Family  I^'.  DENDuocoLAFTin.E.     Wooo-IIkweks. 

The  Wood-Hewers  form  another  large  and  typical  South-American  ''•'■"'  ''^-J 
group,  including  about  280  species  of  birds  of  small  size.  They  ai'e 
dull-coloured,  the  prevailing  tint  of  the  plumage  being  brown,  while 
in  a  large  proportion  of  the  species  the  tail  is  uniform  chestnut. 
Five  subfamilies  are  recognised,  the  Denclroco/ajjfhue  and  Scleruritia 
being  characterised  by  the  stiff  spiny  shafts  of  the  tail-feathers  and  by 
having  the  outer  toe  more  or  less  connected  with  the  middle  toe,  while 
in  the  Pliihjdorince,  Siinalluxime,  and  Furnariin(e  the  shafts  of  the  tail- 
feathers  are  soft  or  not  very  spinous  and  the  outer  toe  is  free. 

The  subfamily  Deiu/roco/dpfina-  includes  a  numlier  of  scansorial 
species  resembling  Woodpeckers  and  Tree-creepers  in  outward  appear- 
ance as  well  as  in  their  habits.  Their  short  legs  and  large  feet  armed 
with  sharp  claws  and  their  stiff  spiny  tails  enable  them  to  run  up  the 
stems  of  the  tree-ti'unks  in  search  of  insects,  and  their  white  eggs  are 
deposited  in  holes.  The  larger  forms,  such  as  Xiphocolaptes  major 
(1610),  Nasica  loni/irostrii<  (1612),  and  Dendrople.v  picas  (1621),  with 
its  straight  pointed  bill,  are  very  like  Woodpeckers  :  while  Xipliorhynchus 
procurvus  (1614)  and  A'.  tiachUirostris  (1615),  with  their  long,  slender, 
curved  bills,  are  typical  of  the  Creeper-like  forms,  and  GlyphorliyHchns 
CMnefl/«4- (1616  a),  with  its  short,  stout,  upturned  bill,  has  more  the 
appearance  of  a  Nuthatch. 

The  second  subfamily,  Scleruriiue,  includes  half  a  dozen  spiny-tailed 
species  of  the  genus  .S'c/e/«r«s  (1617),  with  somewhat  longer  legs  and 
terrestrial  habits. 

Of  the  P/iilt/dor/nce,  which  include  a  number  of  bush-hauntiug  forms, 
we  may  call  special  attention  to  the  "  Firewood  Gatherer  "  [Antmibias 
acuticaudatus)  (1652),  shewn  with  its  nest  on  the  floor  of  the  Case.  The 
nest  is  a  bulky  structure  built  of  sticks,  with  an  entrance  at  the  top  and 
a  spiral  passage  leading  down  to  the  nesting  chamber,  which  is  lined 
with  grass  and  usually  contains  five  white  eggs.  It  is  generally  placed 
on  isolated  trees,  but  sometimes,  as  in  the  present  instance,  the  cross- 
arms  of  a  telegraph-post  are  selected  as  a  site,  which  greatly  interferes 


110 


ItllU)  liAl.LEHV. 


will]  tlif  working-  of  tlie  lines.  Xetiopn  nitUiis  (1629)  is  a  curious  little 
loiiii,  worth  noting  on  account  of  its  niucli  compressed,  nptnrncd  bill. 

Tl;e  Warbler-like  Siinulluxinic  embrace  a  number  of  small  forms 
frequeutiug  the  bushes  and  low  underorowth,  and  interesting  on  account 
of  their  icmnrkablc  nesting  habits.  Some  of  the  species  of  tlie  genus 
SijiKilluxiti  (1631-6)  make  enormous  nests  of  sticks  and  twigs,  lined 
with  hairs  and  feathers  etc.,  large  enough  to  fill  an  ordinary  wheel- 
barrow, and  generally  divided  into  two  chambers  united  by  a  passage. 
.More  than  one  of  these  great  structures  are  often  found  in  the  same 
tree.  The  species  of  Sip/ornis  (1637-8)  have  very  similar  habits. 
Another  member,  the  Thorn-tailed  Warbler  ( Oxyurus  spiiiicauda)  ( 1 642) , 
lias  the  shafts  of  the  tail-feathers  stitt'ened  and  bare  towards  tlie  tips. 

The  last  subfamily,  FunwiiitKe,  includes  a  number  of  soft-tailed 
terrestrial  species.  The  most  curious  nests  of  all  are  the  oven-shaped 
clay  structures  built  l)y  the  Oven-birds  (Fi/niarius)  (1651),  and  usually 
placed  in  the  most  exposed  situations,  such  as  the  to])  of  a  post  or  on  a 
bare  rock.  Although  the  eggs  may  not  be  laid  till  September  or 
Octobci',  the  birds  often  begin  to  build  in  the  middle  of  June,  and  may 
be  found  at  work  in  any  jnontli  of  the  year.  The  winter-built  nests  arc 
said  to  be  the  best  and  to  withstand  the  rain  and  heat  for  a  year  or 
more.  As  the  clayey  mud  of  which  they  are  composed  becomes  almost 
as  hard  as  brick,  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  break  in  and  extract  the  eggs. 
Geositta  (■utiiculariu  (1649),  icminding  us  of  a  Wheatear  in  appearance 
and  habits,  is  also  worthy  of  note.  It  excavates  a  burrow  from  2  to  6 
feet  long,  terminating  in  a  round  cavity  lined  with  soft  grass,  in  which 
four  or  five  white  eggs  are  deposited. 


Group  II.    Oligomyodji  (p.  107). 

Family  I.  Cotingida:.     Ameukan  Chatterers. 

I  Case  •)!'.]  This  important  family  contains  more  than  100  species  of  fruit-eatiug 
birds,  distributed  over  Tropical  America  from  South  Mexico  to  the 
northern  borders  of  Argentina.  The  habits  of  these  woodland  birds 
are  very  imperfectly  known,  but  in  some  species  at  least  tlieir  diet  is 
supplemented  by  molluscs,  insects,  and  even  lizards.  Six  subfamilies 
are  recognised.  jThe  Gijntnoderinie  are  ratlier  large  birds  with  a 
Crow-like  bill,  and  include  such  remarkable  forms  as  the  Umbrella- 
birds  [Cephalopterus)  (1659-60;  and  the  Bell-birds  [Chasmorhynchus) , 
in  which  the  extraordinary  ornamental  appendages  are  especially 
remarkable.  The  males  of  the  black  Umbrella-birds,  so  called  on 
account  of  their  peculiar  umbrella-like  crest,  have  a  long  cylindrical 
or  flattened  plumed  wattle  hanging  down  from  the  throat.  TJiis 
ornament  is  much  less  developed  in  the  females,  which  are  otherwise 


i'i:i(Liii\i.-iilui)'^.  Ill 

very  similar  in  appearance.  The  common  Bell-bird  or  "  Campauero  " 
( c'.niveus)  ( 1 654)  carries  on  its  forehead  a  long  fleshy  erectile  appendage, 
ornamented  with  short  white  feathers;  while  C.  tricurunmlatus  (1655) 
lias  three  long  vermiform  wattles,  one  on  the  base  of  the  bill  and  two 
lateral  ones  at  the  angles  of  the  gape,  and  C.  vuriegatus  (1657)  has  the 
naked  throat  covered  with  a  beard  of  long  straggling  bristles.  Only  the 
male  Bell-birds  bear  these  ornaments.  Their  note  is  lond  and  clear, 
like  the  sound  of  a  bell,  and  in  the  stillness  of  a  tropical  evening  may 
be  heard  at  a  distance  of  several  miles.  Other  striking  forms  are 
the  bare-necked  Gi/miiodenis  fa-tidus  (1658),  which  has  a  decidedly 
vultnrine  appearance,  the  naked-faced  Gijmnoctphahis  calviis  (1661), 
the  handsome  crimson  Hieniatoderus  mUUaris  (1662),  and  the  great 
Pi/roderus  scutatits  (1664),  one  of  the  largest  members  of  the  group. 

The  second  subfamily,  Cotim/hue,  includes  a  number  of  birds  of 
brilliant  plumage,  notably  the  members  of  the  genus  Cotinga,  of  which 
C.  cuijana  (1674)  and  C.  chief  a  (1675)  are  striking  examples  ;  the  dark 
crimson  Xijjholena  pompadora  (1665),  the  curious  swallow-tailed 
Pldbaluru  flavlrustris  (1676),  and  the  diminutive  species  of  lodopleura 
(1669-70),  the  smallest  birds  of  the  group. 

To  the  third  subfamily,  Riipicolina,  belong  the  splendid  Cocks  of  the 
Rock  {Riipico/a)  (1680-2),  with  their  extraordinary  compressed  crest,  and 
the  Red  Chatterers  {Phoeiucoccrcus  caniifex)  (1683).  In  the  males  of 
the  former  the  end  of  the  first  flight-feather  is  curiously  attenuated, 
while  in  the  latter  the  fourth  fiight-feather  is  shortened  and  terminates 
in  a  horny  filament.  In  the  breeding-season  the  males  of  Kiipico/a 
have  been  obseivcd  by  Sehomburgk  to  dance  with  outspread  wings  and 
leap  into  the  air  before  an  assembled  flock  of  their  kind,  much  after  the 
manner  of  Blackgame.  The  nest  of  mud  and  sticks  is  fastened  to  the 
rocky  projections  of  caves,  and  the  eggs  are  buft'  spotted  with  reddish 
brown  and  lilac. 

Attila  thumnophiluides  (1684)  represents  the  subfamily  AttUhue,  a 
dull-coloured  group  with  a  strongly  hooked  bill ;  and  the  fifth  subfamily, 
Lipaugince,  an  equally  sombre-coloured  assemblage,  includes  the  genera 
Lathria  (1685),  Aulia  (1686-7),  and  two  others. 

The  sixth  subfamily,  Tityrino!,  is  worth  noting  on  account  of  the 
excessively  short  second  flight-feather  characteristic  of  the  males  of  the 
group.  Examples  will  be  found  in  Titijra  cayana  (1688),  Hadrosloiam 
agla'ue  (1689),  and  Pacltyrhainplius  inridis  (1690). 

Family  II.  Piprid^.     Manakins. 

This  family  comprises  about  70  small  species,  closely  related  to  the   [Ca^'  (;:\1 
Cotinyidie,  but  distingiushed  by  the  ditt'erent  scaling  of  the  tarsi  and  by 
having  the  outer  and  middle  toes  more  closely  bound   together  at   the 


1 1'» 

'   '  •  lilltl)   CALI.Kln. 

base.  Tliey  iiiiiabit  the  dense  forests  or  thick  undergrowth  of  Central 
.and  South  America,  and  resemble  Tits  in  their  habits  ;  but  their  food 
consists  of  fruits,  berries,  and  seeds  rather  than  iusects,  and  their 
shallow  nests  are  suspended  from  tlie  Ijrauclies  of  low  slirubs.  Two 
subfamilies  are  recognised — the  P/priiue,  including  the  smaller  species 
in  which  the  sexes  are  usually  dissimilar,  the  males  being  brilliantly 
coloured  and  the  females  dull,  and  the  FtUoc/ilor/rue,  birds  of  large  size, 
mostly  with  dull  plumage.  Among  the  Pipriine  we  may  call  attention 
to  C7i/orojjijjo  jiavicdpillii  (1693),  with  its  elongate  wings  and  tail,  to 
Cirrhopipru  fiVimiida  (1698),  witli  the  shafts  of  the  tail-feathers  ending 
in  long  stiff  filaments,  to  the  members  of  the  genera  Metopia  (1695) 
and  Mitshia  (1696-7),  with  their  erect  frontal  plumes,  and  to  the 
numerous  species  of  brilliantly  coloured  Pipra  (1700-5).  Macharo- 
pteriis  deUciuslis  (1707)  is  remarkable  for  the  extraoi-dinary  structure  of 
the  secondary  Hight-feathcrs  in  the  male,  and  Chiroxiphia  linearis  ( 1 707  a) 
for  the  thickened  shafts  of  the  primary  quills  and  the  greatly  length- 
ened middle  tail-feathers.  The  allied  C.  caudata  (1708)  is  known  in 
Brazil  as  the  "Dansador"  or  "Fandango-bird,"  on  account  of  its 
peculiar  habit  of  dancing.  When  several  individuals  are  assembled 
together,  one  often  sits  and  pipes,  while  the  remainder  dance  up  and 
down  to  the  music.  When  the  musician  becomes  exhausted,  he  joins 
the  dancers,  and  another  takes  his  place.  Of  the  PtilochloriiKe  examples 
will  be  found  in  Ptilochluris  squamatus  (1716)  and  the  sombre-coloured 
Heteropeliiia  InrdinviK  (1714). 

Family  III.  Oxviuiampuidi:.      Shakp-hills. 

[CnscTO.]  The  three  representatives  of  this  family  belong  to  the  genus  O.vy- 
rhamphus  (1719),  fouud  in  Central  and  South  America.  They  are 
easily  distinguished  from  the  Tyrannnhe  by  the  straight  sharp-pointed 
bill  and  by  the  strongly  serrated  outer  w  eb  of  the  first  primary  quill  in 
the  male. 

Family  IV.  T\  hanxiu.e.  Tyrant-birds. 
[CiiH'To. ;  q'ljis  large  and  much  varied  group,  numbering  over  400  species,  is 
entirely  restricted  to  the  New  World,  and  is  distributed  over  every  part, 
except  the  extreme  uorth,  in  greater  or  less  abundance.  Some  of  the 
species  are  migratory,  breeding  in  North  America  and  wandering  south 
in  winter  to  Central  and  South  America.  They  appear  to  take  the 
place  of  the  Flycatchers  (Muscicapidce)  of  the  Old  World,  and,  as  in 
these  birds,  the  majority  have  the  bill  greatly  flattened  aiul  beset  with 
bristles.  From  the  other  Oligomyodian  families  of  the  Mesomyodian 
Passeres  they  are  distinguished  by  the  scaling  of  the  tarsi  and  by  having 
the  toes  nearly  free,  as  in  the  typical  Passerine  groups. 


ri;Rciii\(;-;iiiti)s.  113 

Tlic  name  "  Tyrant  "  is  specially  applicable  to  the  larger  birds  of  this 
group,  on  account  of  their  pugnacious  disposition,  and  they  frequently 
attack  other  birds,  often  of  superior  size  and  strength.  They  are 
mostly  clad  in  dull  colours,  but  a  few  arc  ornamented  with  erectile 
crests,  as  in  Musc'ivora  (1 758),  or  brilliantly  coloured,  as  iu  Pyrocephalus 
(1761). 

Four  subfamilies  have  been  recognised,  the  first  being  the  Ttcnio- 
jjteriiKC,  which  iucludes  a  nuni])cr  of  dull-coloured  grey  and  black 
species,  the  most  noteworthy  form,  on  account  of  its  abnormal  tail, 
being  Alectrurus  tricolor  (1732).  from  the  Pampas  district  of  South 
America,  and  the  Yipcru  (  Ci/beruetes  ijetupa)  (1733),  one  of  the  largest 
forms,  with  a  very  long  and  deeply  forked  tail. 

The  second  subfamily,  Plufyrhi/iichinie,  embraces  a  number  of  small 
Flycatcher-like  birds  with  flattened  bills  and  dull  olive-coloured  plumage. 
Among  the  examples  shown  we  maj'  draw  attention  to  the  crested  form 
Colopterus  fjaleatus  (1736),  in  which  the  outer  fliglit-feathers  of  the 
male  are  curiously  abbreviated,  and  to  Euscartlnaiis  gidaris  (1774),  to 
l)c  found,  with  its  dome-shaped  nest  with  the  entrance  at  the  side,  ou 
the  floor  of  the  Case. 

The  Elahiciiue,  or  Olive  Tyrants,  form  a  third  subfamily,  with  the 
bill  more  compressed  and  the  bristles  at  the  base  much  less  developed. 
The  general  colour  of  the  species  is  olive-green  or  sombre  brown,  in 
harmony  with  the  dense  forests  to  which  they  mostly  resort,  and  the 
majority  have  an  orange  or  red  vertical  spot  ou  the  top  of  the  head. 
The  bright-tinted  reed-frequenting  Cijanotis  azane  (1743)  is  an  exception 
both  in  colours  and  habits.  Elahica  rid/ei/inia  (1776)  and  its  near  allies 
build  a  small  cup-shaped  nest  of  moss  and  licheu  ;  while  Mijiozetetes 
similis  (1778)  makes  a  domed  loosely-constructed  nest  of  fibre  with  an 
entrance  at  tlie  side.  These  will  be  found  on  the  floor  of  the  Case. 
The  largest  species  is  Mijlodynastes  bairdi  (1751),  a  bird  about  the  size 
of  a  thrush. 

Of  the  fourth  subfamily,  Ti/rannime  (which  includes  all  the  largest 
members  of  the  family,  with  flattened  bills  aud  well-developed  bristles), 
the  most  remarkable  are  the  long  fork-tailed  species  Milvidus  lijraimus 
(1772)  and  M.  forficatus  (1773)  ;  the  King-Tyrant  [Muscivora  reyia) 
(1758),  with  its  tiara-like  crest  of  orange  feathers  tipped  with  shining 
purple;  and  the  searlet-plumaged  Pyrocephcdus  rubiaeus  {\1%\),  repre- 
senting the  only  brilliantly  coloured  gemis  of  the  Tyrannidce. 

Family  V.  Phytotomid*.     Plant-cutteks. 

The    few  finch-like   species   of    the    geuus    Plnjtittonni  (1780-1)    in-    011.^^70 
eluded   iu   this   family  are   all  natives   of  South   America.     Thev  are 

J 


114  luui)  (;allery. 

interesting  as  representing  the  Finches  among  the  Mesomyodiau 
Passcres,  and  closely  resemble  these  birds  in  their  habits  and  mode  of 
nesting.  In  young  plantations  they  are  said  to  do  much  damage  with 
their  strongly  serrated  bills,  cutting  off  plants  close  to  the  ground  with 
no  apparent  object. 

Family  VI.  Pittid>e.     Pittas  or  Ant-Thiiushes. 

[Ca^.'  70.]  With  the  exception  of  the  three  species  which  inhabit  Afi'ica,  the 
fifty  long-legged  thrush-like  species  comprising  tiiis  family  are  natives 
of  the  Oriental  and  Australian  regions.  Almost  all  the  species  of  Pitta 
(1782-96)  are  birds  of  brilliant  plumage,  and  some  have  supplementary 
ornamental  plumes  on  the  head  and  neck,  as  in  Anthocichia  phai/rii 
(1797).  They  frequent  the  densest  jungle  and  scrub,  and  are  chiefly 
terrestrial  in  their  habits,  their  long  legs  enabling  them  to  hop  with 
great  agility  and  escape  with  speed  at  the  slightest  alarm.  Molluscs, 
insects,  and  worms  form  their  principal  food,  and  are  searched  for 
among  the  fallen  leaves.  The  nest  is  a  round  open  structure  placed  on 
the  ground  or  in  very  low  forks,  and  the  eggs  are  creamy-white  spotted 
with  red  or  purplish  black. 

Family  VII.  Philepittid^.     Wattled  Ant-Thrushes. 

[Case 70.]  The  sole  representatives  of  this  peculiar  family  arc  two  species  of 
Philepitta  (1799),  found  in  Madagascar.  They  appear  to  be  most  nearly 
allied  to  the  Pittas  [PitticUe),  but  differ  in  various  particulars  of  their 
structure,  such  as  the  naked  orbits  surmounted  by  a  fleshy  wattle  in 
the  male,  and  the  scaling  of  the  tarsi.  They  appear  to  be  entirely  terres- 
trial in  their  habits. 


Family  VIII.  Xenioid.e.     New-Zealand  Bush-W^rens. 

[Case  70.]  The  members  of  this  family  are  distinguished  by  various  anatomical 
characters,  the  arrangement  of  the  syringeal  muscles  being  Mesomyodian. 
These  tiny  Wren-like  birds  are  peculiar  to  the  highland  forests  of 
New  Zealand.  The  three  known  genera,  Xtnicus,  Acanthidositta,  and 
Traversia,  mciuAe  only  four  species.  The  Rifleman  (A.  chloris)  (1800) 
is  almost  entirely  arboreal  in  its  habits,  actively  seai'ching  the  trees  for 
insects,  and  places  its  bottle-shaped  nest  in  holes  in  trees  and  in  other 
cavities,  laying  from  three  to  five  white  eggs. 


rERCHi\(;-)!ini)s.  115 

'<■■■  Section  B.  ACROMYODl.     Sjnoing-Bikds  (p.  107). 

Family  I.  Atkichorxithid.i;.     Scrub-birds. 

"' i.Ouly  two  small  Australian  .species  of  the  geuus  Atr'tchoriun  [\%{^\)  [Case  71.] 
are  included  in  this  family,  peculiar  among  Passerine  birds  in  having 
the  clavicles  (merry-thought)  rudimentary.  The  wings  are  so  small 
that  their  powers  of  flight  arc  limited,  and  they  live  among  the  dwarf- 
ferns  and  dense  thickets^  where  they  are  only  to  be  detected  by  their 
noisy  note.  ■• 

Family  II.  Hiru\dinid.e.     Swallows. 

This  well-dcHncd  cosmopolitan  family,  formerly  associated  with  the  Case  71.  j 
Swifts  [Cypseluhe)  on  account  of  their  similarity  in  genei-al  appearance 
and  habit  of  hawking  insects  on  the  wing,  are  now  recognised  as 
belonging  to  the  Passerine  Birds.  The  long  powerful  wings,  feebly 
developed  feet,  small  flattened  bill  and  wide  gape  are  the  most  striking 
external  features,  possessed  in  common  witli  the  Swifts  ;  but  the  latter 
may  always  be  distinguished  by  having  10  instead  of  l.^  tail-feathers. 
The  anatomical  diftereuces  between  the  two  families  are  many  and 
striking.  Many  of  the  Swallows  breed  in  colonics,  and  two  or  even 
three  broods  are  reared  in  a  season.  About  116  species  are  recognised 
and  divided  into  two  subfamilies — the  Hirundinina,  including  the  true 
Swallows  and  Martins,  and  the  Psalidoprocnhue,  or  Rough-winged 
Swallows  (1815),  in  which  the  outer  margin  of  the  first  flight-feather  is 
provided  with  hooked  barl)s. 

Of  the  former  the  Common  Swallow  (Hirundo  rustica)  (1808)  is 
typical,  and  one  of  the  most  familiar  and  beloved  of  our  summer  visitors. 
It  ranges  north  in  summer  over  Europe  and  Asia,  extending  beyond 
the  Arctic  Circle,  and  winters  in  South  Africa  and  the  Malay  Peninsula. 
Many  other  species  are  equally  migratory,  and  traverse  immense 
distances  on  their  periodical  journeys.  Two  other  well-known  visitors 
to  the  British  Islands  arc  the  House-jMartin  {Chelidon  urbica)  (1802), 
which  builds  mud  nests  under  the  eaves  of  houses  and  on  the  ledges  of 
clifls,  and  is  easily  recognised  by  its  feathered  toes ;  and  the  Sand- 
Martin  (Cotih'  riparia)  (1805),  which  excavates  a  tunnel  in  a  bank 
terminatuig  iu  a  nesting-chamljer.  Both  these  birds  lay  jnire  white 
eggs,  but  tho^e  of  the  Swallow  are  spotted  with  reddish  brown  and 
lavender-grey. 

Family  III.   Muscic.vfid.e.     Flycatchers. 

This  somewhat  vaguely  defined   family  includes  a  very  large  number   [_G&i^r  71  J 
of  insect-eating  species  peculiar  to  the  Old  World,  and  may  generally  be 

I  .2 


1  16  lilKIl  (iALLICRV. 

recognized  by  their  Hatteucd  bill  beset  with  bristles.  Some  ol'  the 
forms  included  in  the  Flyeatcbers,  sueh  as  Cryptolopliu  (1846)  and 
PoUcptila  (1851),  might  well  be  placed  in  the  Warblers  (Sylviida),  and 
it  seems  donbtl'nl  if  any  real  line  can  be  drawn  between  the  two  families, 
while  the  mottled  or  squamated  plumage  of  the  nestling  seems  to  indi- 
cate a  close  relationship  to  the  Thrushes  {Twd'uhe).  One  of  the  best 
known  is  the  Common  Spatted  Flycatcher  (M««c/'«//yr/ //vmo/u)  (1828), 
one  of  our  later  summer  migrants,  which  arrives  from  Africa  in  May. 
It  feeds  solely  on  insects  captured  on  the  wing,  the  bird  darting  at 
them  from  some  branch,  to  which  it  again  returns  for  a  fresh  sally. 
Another  less  numerous  summer  visitor  is  the  Pied  Flycatcher  {M.  utrl- 
caplUu)  (1827),  while  the  lled-breasted  Flycatcher  (M.  ;>«/•('«)  (1829)  is 
an  occasional  visitor  from  Eastern  Europe  and  Asia.  Among  the  more 
striking  exotic  forms  we  may  mention  the  Australian  "  Robins " 
[Petroeca  plamrvu  (1831)  and  P.  rhodlmrjosti'r  (1832)),  with  their 
scarlet  and  pink  breasts;  the  lovely  Narcissus  Flycatcher  {Xanllidpygiu 
7iarcissiiia)  (1841),  from  China  and  Japan;  the  Paradise  Flycatchers 
(Terjj.sijjhoiw)  (1868),  with  the  middle  pair  of  tail-feathers  greatly 
lengthened  in  the  male;  the  numerous  species  of  Rhipidura  (1853-6), 
with  wide  fan-shaped  tails,  which  are  frequently  outspread  as  they  dance 
from  branch  to  branch,  and  their  remarkably  neat  cup-shaped  nests, 
several  of  which  are  exhibited  on  the  floor  of  the  Case ;  the  Australian 
Restless  Flycatcher  (Sisiira  inquieta)  (1874),  known  to  the  colonists  as 
the  "  Grinder/'  on  account  of  the  peculiar  grinding  note  which  it  utters 
while  hoveriug  in  the  air  like  a  kestrel  before  descending  on  its  prey  ; 
and,  lastly,  the  Niltavas  (1863-5),  with  their  brilliant  plumagcd  males, 
said  to  be  less  typical  in  their  habits  and  to  cat  berries. 

Family  IV.  C.\mpophagid.e.     Cuckoo-Shkikes. 

[Case  71.]  The  members  of  this  Old-World  family  seem  to  constitute  a  link 
between  the  Flycatchers  and  the  Shrikes,  and,  as  in  the  latter  family, 
the  plumage  of  the  nestling  is  cross-barred  and  not  mottled  or  squamated. 
They  are  chiefly  distinguished  by  the  spiny  character  of  the  rump- 
feathers,  and  the  majority  possess  a  strong  hooked  bill.  A  remarkable 
form,  the  Pheasant  Cuckoo-Shrike  [Pteropudocys  phusianellu)  (1875), 
with  a  long  forked  tail  and  stout  legs,  is  a  native  of  Australia,  and  lives 
chiefly  on  the  ground.  Other  larger  forms  of  a  somewhat  similar  type 
belonging  to  the  genera  Graucaius  (1876,  1877),  Artimiides  (1878,  1879), 
and  Campophai/a  (1882,  1883)  are  arboreal  and  feed  on  insects  which 
thev  pick  off  the  leaves.  The  most  attractive  members  of  the  family 
are  the  Minivets  {Pericrocotus)  (1884-1888),  mostly  birds  of  brilliant 
plumage,  the  predominant  colour  of  most  of  the  males  being  scarlet  and 


PEIU  UlM.-BIUD-i 


117 


of  tlie  females  yellow.  The  niimerous  species  inhabit  the  wooded  I'e^ious 
of  India  and  the  Indo-Chinese  countries  and  islands,  and  are  generally 
met  with  in  small  Hooks  searching  the  leaves  for  insects. 

Family  V.   Pvcxoxotid.e.     Bulbuls. 

Tiic  members  of  this  numerous  and  fairly  w ell-defincd  family  of  '('ase  73.] 
somewliat  Thrush-like  birds  are  peculiar  to  the  Old  World  and  found 
throughout  the  Ethiopian,  Indian,  and  Malayan  regions.  They  arc 
generally  characterised  by  well-developed  bristles  round  the  gape,  a 
short  metatarsus,  and  a  rounded  concave  wing.  They  are  birds  of 
feeble  flight  and  arboreal  habits,  and  frequent  gardens,  low  jungles, 
and  forests,  feeding  chiefly  on  berries  and  fruits.  Many  of  the  species 
are  gregarious.  The  nest  is  generally  an  open  structure  of  sticks,  grass, 
and  moss,  jjlaced  in  a  low  tree  or  creeper,  and  the  eggs  are  almost 
invariably  marked  and  spotted.  Many  of  the  species,  especially  those  of 
the  genera  Otocompsa  (1958,  1959)  and  Pi/ciwnotiis  (1960-1963),  have  a 
sweet  song  and  are  favourite  cage-birds. 

The  usual  coloration  is  olive  or  brown,  but  brilliant  exceptions  are  to 
be  seen  in  the  Fairy  Blue-bird  {Irena  pue/hi)  (1980),  the  beautiful  green 
species  of  Chlurojisis  (1981-1984),  and  tiie  red-throated,  orange-breasted 
HubUjula  lUsjiar  (1956)  from  Java. 

Family  VI.  Timeliid.k.     B.\bblers. 

The  characters  and  limits  of  this  large  Old-World  family,  which  [Ca«e  72.] 
includes  a  somewhat  varied  assemblage  of  species,  is  still  imperfectly 
understood.  They  may  be  generally  characterised  as  thrush-like  birds 
witli  well-developed  bristles  at  the  gape,  short,  rounded,  concave  wings, 
fitting  closely  to  the  body,  and  strong  metatarsi.  The  majority  are 
decidedly  terrestrial  in  their  habits,  creeping  singly  or  in  small 
companies  among  thick  luulergrowth ;  but  some,  such  as  the  Chinese 
"Robin"  [Liothrhv  lutea)  (1940)  and  its  allies,  as  well  as  the  thick-billed 
Paradoxornis  (1941)  and  the  smaller,  more  Tit-like  Suthora  (1942),  are 
more  arboreal  and  should  probably  be  associated  with  the  PurUke.  Six 
subfamilies  are  recognised,  but  we  can  only  briefly  note  some  of  the 
more  remarkable  forms.  In  the  Crater opodbim  we  find  the  curious 
spinous-tailed  sjjecies  [Ortlionyx  spbilcauda)  (1892),  the  handsome 
Cinclosoma  puactutum  (1893),  and  the  "  Coach-whip"  bird  {Psophodes) 
(1899),  which  lias  a  note  like  the  crack  of  a  whip,  all  three  being 
natives  of  Australia;  the  curious  Eupetes  (1894),  with  somewhat  the 
appearance  of  a  long-legged  Wood^iecker,  the  Scimitar-Babbler  [Xipho- 
rhamphus  superciUaris)  (1912),  remarkable  for  its  very  long,  slender, 
curved  bill,  and  the  Laughing  Thrush   [Dryo/iastes  cfiinensis)  (1907), 


118  HI  111!  (;,\i,m:kv. 

a  favourite  cage-bird.  To  the  Tinu'liiiia-  belong  sucli  remarkable  forms 
as  the  Fluffy-backed  Babbler  [Ptiloc'iclila  fulcalu)  (1933)  and  the  Ilairy- 
backed  Babbler  (Macroum  pti/o,sus)  (1926),  in  wliicli  the  feathers  of  the 
back  are  enormously  developed ;  also  the  lai-ge  yellow  species  of  Maliu 
(1936)  from  Celebes.  Tiie  third  subfamily,  Brachypteriighue,  includes 
some  long-legged  terrestrial  forms,  the  largest  and  handsomest  of  which 
are  the  Whistling-Thrushes  (Mi/iop/wiiens)  (1950)  and  the  smallest  the 
Short-wings  [OUgura)  (1945).  Among  the  representatives  of  the  fourth 
subfamily,  Si/i/iine,  we  u.ay  draw  attention  to  the  Long-tailed  Sibia 
[Sidiu  picuoi(/r.s)  (1951)  and  Yii/iiiia  ii'igrhnentuni  (1952),  exhibited  with 
its  well-coucealed  nest.  To  the  Liotlirichhue  belong  the  beautiful 
Chinese  ''Robin"  [Ltotlirhv  hitca)  (1940)  mentioned  above,  a  familiar 
cage-bird  with  Tit-like  habits,  and  the  handsome  CittJa  nipalciisis  (1939), 
from  Nepal.  The  so-called  Crow-Tits  (Paradoxornithiiue)  form  the 
sixth  subfamily,  a  very  isolated  group,  and  may  be  recognised  by  their 
short  deep  bill,  most  developed  in  the  species  of  Paiadoxornis  (1941 J 
and  less  so  in  Siithura  (1942). 

Family  VII.  Troglodytid.e.     Wkens. 

[Case  73.]  This  family  embraces  a  number  of  small  birds  which  are  spread  over 
the  greater  part  of  the  globe,  being  very  abundant  in  the  New  World, 
but  absent  in  the  Australian  and  Ethiopiau  regions.  They  have  no 
bristles  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  build  domed  nests,  and  in  many  cases 
have  remarkable  powers  of  song.  The  most  familiar  is  the  common 
Wren  [Anorthnra  troglodytes)  (2001),  a  familiar  British  bird,  ranging 
acioss  Europe  as  far  east  as  Persia  and  southwards  to  the  Atlas  Mountains 
in  X.  Africa.  One  of  the  largest  is  the  Great  Bay  Wren  {C'iimiccrt/iic 
unrnifu)  (1989),  a  native  of  Colombia  and  Ecuador.  , 

Family  VIII.  Cinclidyk.     Dippers. 

[Case  73.]  The  Dippers  or  Water-Ouzels  are  large  aquatic  Wrens  inhabiting  the 
mountain-streams  of  the  northern  parts  of  both  Hemispheres  as  well  as 
the  highlands  of  Central  America  and  the  Andes  of  South  America. 
They  are  perfectly  at  home  in  the  wate)-,  diving  with  ease,  and  using 
both  wings  and  legs  to  propel  themselves  below  the  surface.  Aquatic 
insects  and  molluscs  found  among  the  stones  at  the  bottom  of  streams 
and  rivers  form  their  principal  food,  and  though  they  are  generally 
supposed  to  devour  the  ova  of  tish,  and  for  this  reason  constantly 
destroyed  as  vermiu,  no  fish-spawn  has  ever  been  found  in  their  stomachs. 
The  domed  nest  (2012),  made  of  moss  &c.,  is  placed  close  to  the  water, 
and  from  four  to  seven  dull  white  eggs  are  laid.  The  young  are  able  to 
swim  as  soon  as  they  leave  the  nest.     Of  the  twelve  or  more  s|)ecics,  all 


PEKCHIXG-milDS. 


119 


included  in  the  j^ciius  Ci/fchis,  the  most  familiar  is  tlic  Common  Dipper 
{C.  aqi(nl'icus)  (2007),  wliicli  frequents  the  more  rapid  rocky  streams  in 
tlie  British  Islands  and  ranges  east^^ards  over  Central  and  Western 
Europe. 

Family  IX.  Mimiu.h.  Mocking-birds. 
The  Mocking-birds  are  an  American  family  allied  to  the  Thrushes  Cis.' 
and  ranging  over  the  greater  part  of  the  New  World.  Tlie  young  are 
mottled,  as  in  the  TurdnUe.  Some,  like  the  Common  Mocking-bird 
{Mimns  polygloltus)  (2014)  of  the  eastern  United  States,  are  famous  not 
only  for  their  powers  of  mimicry,  but  for  the  brilliant  execution  of  their 
natural  song,  which  is  rich  and  varied.  Another  well-known  songster 
is  the  Cat-Bird  [Galeoscoptes  curoUnensis)  (2017),  which,  in  addition  to 
its  attractive  song,  utters  mewing  sounds.  Leconte's  Thrasher  (//«>7J0- 
rhynchus  lecuntei)  (2026)  haunts  more  arid  situations  than  the  species 
already  mentioned,  l)ut,  like  tiiem,  places  its  large  nest  of  sticks  &c.  in 
some  low  tree  or  tliorny  bush.  Tlie  only  brightly  coloured  member  of 
the  family  is  the  Rose-breasted  Rhodinockhla  rosea  (2022),  found  in 
Colombia  and  \'cnezuela. 


Family  X.  Tunning.  Thrushes. 
The  Thrushes,  Redstarts,  and  Chats  form  a  very  large  family  distri-  [•'"■'•e  47.] 
buted  over  the  whole  world  and  include  a  number  of  familiar  species, 
many  of  them  being  splendid  songsters  and  favourite  cage-birds.  Un- 
like their  allies,  the  Warblers,  they  have  no  spring  moult,  and  the 
young  in  their  first  plumage  differ  from  the  adult  and  are  always  pro- 
fusely spotted.  Many  species  arc  migratory.  Some  of  the  Thrushes 
are  met  with  at  great  elevations,  reaching  altitudes  of  17,000  feet  in 
some  latitudes.  They  feed  chiefly  on  insects  and  worms,  most  of  their 
food  being  procured  on  the  ground,  but  they  arc  also  partial  to  fruit. 
Of  the  nine  subfamilies  recognised,  the  first,  Myiedesthue  includes  a 
number  of  American  forms  of  somewhat  uncertain  affinities.  The 
beautiful  species  of  Coclma  (2034),  from  the  Indo-Chinese  countries, 
represent  the  second  subfamily.  Of  the  Turdiiue  or  True  Thrushes,  a 
number  appear  on  the  British  list,  the  Song-Thrush  (2060\,  Mistle- 
Thrush  (2053),  Blackbird  (2036),  and  Ring-Ouztl  (2056)  being  breeding 
species  ;  the  Red-wing  (2062)  and  Fieldfare  (2054)  regular  visitors  ; 
and  the  Siberian  (2065),  Black-throated  (2055),  White's  (2045),  and 
Rock-  (2063)  Thrushes,  accidental  stragglers.  Our  common  Hedge- 
Sparrow  [Accentor  modularis)  (2066)  is  a  resident  and  the  Alpine 
Accentor    [A.   colhiris)    (2067)    an   occasional    visitor  to    Britain,    and 


120 


)ilKl)  GALLEKY. 


represent  the  fourth  subt'amily  ;  while  the  few  Australian  species  ut 
Ephthianum  (2068  2070)  constitute  the  fitth. 

The //e///cv//wrt' includes  the  t'ork-tailcd  species  of  Henicuius  {2^1\) 
and  Hydiuciclila  (2072),  inhabiting  the  mountain  streams  of  the 
Indian  Region,  and  resembling  Pied  Wagtails  in  general  appearance 
and  habits. 

To  the  RidifilliiHe  lielong  our  Common  (2074)  and  Black  (2075j  Red- 
starts, Robin  (2082),  Nightingale  (2080j,  and  Northern  or  "  Sprosser  " 
Nightingale  (2080  a),  which  has  been  recently  procured  in  Kent,  as  well 
as  the  Blue-throat  (2079),  an  irregular  visitor  to  our  coasts ;  also  the 
Ruby-throats  [CaWope)  (2083),  Chat-Thrushes  [Cossijplw)  (2094-5), 
and  Shamas  [(/ittocincla)  (2092),  the  latter  much  prized  as  cage-birds 
on  account  of  their  sweet  song. 

The  Chats  (Sa.ricolince)  form  the  eighth  subfamily.  The  British 
breeding  species  belonging  to  this  group  are  the  Stoneehat  (2099), 
Whinehat  (2100),  and  Common  Wheatear  (2107),  while  the  Isabelline 
(2106),  Black-throated  (Sd.ricuh  ucciilciittilis)  (2114),  and  Desert 
Wheatears  (2115)  have  occurred  as  stragglers. 

The  ninth  and  last  subfamily  (Sialihire)  contains  some  strikingly 
handsome  forms,  such  as  the  American  Sla/iii  sialis  (21 13)  and  Graiidnla 
cteUcoIor  (2111),  found  on  the  highest  parts  of  the  Himalaya  at  elevations 
of  from  15,()()0  to  17,000  feet. 

[Case  To,  Family  XI.  Sylviid.«.     Warblers. 

The  numerous  representatives  of  this  family  are  distributed  over  the 
Old  World  and  include  some  of  our  finest  songsters,  such  as  the  Black- 
cap. They  are  distinguished  from  the  Thrushes  by  having  a  double 
moult,  one  in  spring  and  one  in  autumn,  and  their  young  in  first 
plumage  resemble  the  adult,  but  are  rather  more  highly  coloured. 
With  few  exceptions  they  are  birds  of  plain  plumage.  The  majority 
are  migratory  and  traverse  immense  distances,  but  some,  such  as  the 
Grass  Warblers  (Piinia  and  Ciaticola)  are  quite  sedentary  and  incapable 
of  protracted  flight.  The  food  consists  of  insects,  but  most  of  the 
species  at  certain  times  of  the  year  feed  on  fruits,  &c.  No  less  than 
twenty-five  species  are  included  in  the  British  list,  twelve  of  which  are 
regular  summer  visitors,  while  the  remainder  are  accidental.  To  the 
former  category  belong  the  Grasshopper-  (21 18),  Sedge-  (2123),  ]\Iarsh- 
(2119),  and  Reed-  (2121)  Warblers,  the  Wood-Wren  (2144),  Willow- 
Warbler  (2145),  Chiffchaff  (2143),  Dartford  Warbler  (2134),  Garden- 
Warbler  (2140),  Blackcap  (2137),  Whitethroat  (2139),  and  Lesser 
Whitethroat  (2138).  The  latter  include  the  Rufous  (21 17),  Aquatic 
(2122),  Great  Reed-  (shewn  with  its  nest  at  the  foot  of  the  Case)  (2141), 


rERCIllMi-BlRDS. 


1.'21 


Melodious  (2133),  Icteriiic  (2132),  and  Raddc's  Warblers  (2142),  the 
Greenish  (2152),  Pallas'  (2153),  and  the  Vellow-browcd  (2154) 
Willow.Warblers,  the  Sub-alpiue  (2155),  IJarrcd  (2156),  and  Orphean 
(2157)  Warblers;  while  Savi's  W^arbler  (2158),  to  be  seen  with  its 
nest  at  the  foot  of  tlie  Case,  formerly  bred  in  the  Eastern  counties  of 
England,  but  has  disappeared  since  the  draining  of  the  fens.  The 
Tailor-birds  (Sutoria)  (2124)  are  specially  interesting  on  account  of 
the  skill  they  display  in  the  construction  of  their  nests.  By  sewing 
the  edges  of  one  or  more  leaves  together  they  form  a  pocket  in  which 
they  build  a  nest  of  fine  grass,  cotton,  down,  and  hair. 

Far  the  most  brilliant  forms  are  found  among  the  beautiful  little 
species  of  the  genus  Mulums  (2159-63),  chiefly  found  in  Australia,  and 
the  Emu- Wren  (Stijjitunis  nudnchurus)  (2167)  from  the  same  country 
is  worthy  of  note,  on  account  of  its  long  spiny  tail-feathers  with  curious 
decomposed  webs. 


Family  XII.  Vireomd-e.     (iREENi.Exs. 

This  small  family,  including  about  sixty  arboreal  species,  mostly  [Case  7-"). J 
olive  or  greenish  in  colour,  is  peculiar  to  the  New  World.  Tliough 
evidently  allied  to  the  Shrikes,  which  they  resemble  in  the  notched  bill 
beset  with  bristles,  the  young  in  first  plumage  do  not  ditl'er  much  from 
the  adults  and  are  never  barred,  and  in  this  and  other  respects  they 
resemble  the  Warblers.  The  species  of  Vireo  (2174-7)  suspend  their 
firm  cup-shaped  nest  from  a  horizontal  fork  and  lay  white  eggs,  spotted 
with  red  and  purple. 


Family  XIII.  Ampelid^e.     C}iatterers. 

The  Chatterers  form  a  somewhat  ill-defined  family  belonging  to  the  Uase75.] 
group  of  Passeres  which  possesses  only  nine  primary  quills.  They  arc 
chiefly  northern  in  their  habitat,  but  certain  tropical  genera  are  found 
in  North  and  Central  America.  The  best  known  of  the  Chatterers  is 
the  Waxwing  (Ampelis  r/arrulun)  (2179),  which-  is  found  in  the  northern 
parts  of  both  hemispheres  and  occasionally  visits  Britain  in  some 
numbers.  Its  name  is  derived  from  the  sealing-wax-like  tips  of  the 
secondary  quills.  The  movements  of  this  species  are  very  irregular  and 
uncertain;  on  the  approach  of  winter  it  appears  here  and  there  in 
immense  flocks  in  quest  of  seeds  and  berries.  The  nest  is  made  of 
twigs  and  moss  lined  with  feathers,  and  the  eggs  are  stone-grey,  spotted 
with  blackish-brown.  Another  well-known  species  is  the  American 
Cedar-bird  {A.  cvdronnn)  (2180). 


12.2 


lUKD  GALLEKY. 


Family  XIV.  Aktamid.i!.     Swallow-Shrikes. 

[Case  7o.]  i'j,e  Wood-Swallows,  as  tliey  arc  .sometimes  called,  constitute  a  small 
group  of  birds  cliaracterised  liy  tlieir  pointed  greyisli-blue  hill  and  long 
pointed  wings.  In  their  actions  and  mode  of  life  they  closely  resemble 
the  Swallows.  AVitli  the  exception  of  one  West  African  species,  all  are 
found  in  the  Indian  and  Australian  regions  and  belong  to  the  genus 
ArtmuHs  (2183  7).  The  common  Australian  species  [A.  svrdidus)  has  a 
curious  habit  of  hanging  in  great  clusters,  like  a  swarm  of  bees,  from 
the  miderside  of  a  branch. 

Family  XV.  Vangid^.     Madagascar  Shrikes. 

[C'af-  7ii.]  This  small  family  of  Shrikes  includes  si.v  genera  and  twelve  species 
all  ])eculiar  to  Madagascar,  lleprescntativc  forms  of  Vuiujn  (2188)  and 
Lcptopterus  (2189)  are  shewn. 

Family  XVI.   Prioxopid.t..     Wood-Shrikes. 

[Case  76.]  The  Wood-Shrikes  comprise  a  large  number  of  species  ranging  from 
Africa  and  Southern  Asia  to  New  Guinea,  the  Polynesian  Islands,  and 
Australia.  Most  of  the  species  are  dull  coloured  birds,  the  predomi- 
nating colours  being  brown,  grey,  and  black.  They  frequent  trees  and 
bushes,  feeding  on  insects,  mollusca,  and  fruits.  Among  these  many 
forms  we  may  call  attention  to  the  so-called  jNIagpie-Lark  [GruJiinii 
picat(i)  (2190),  a  familiar  bird  about  many  Australian  homesteads; 
Riippell's  Wood-Shrike  {Eiirocej)h(ihi.s  i-urppcUi)  (2193),  exhibited  with 
its  nest,  and  the  helmeted  species  of  P/'/((//(y/a'  (2202),  both  from  Africa  ; 
the  Jay-Shrike  (Platylophus  ardesiacus)  (2201),  with  its  remarkable 
ong  crest,  from  the  ^Nlalay  Peninsula ;  and  the  peculiar  Hypocoliiis 
mnpi'Iiims  (2205)  from  South-west  Asia.  The  systematic  position  of 
the  latter  bird  (a  pair  of  which  are  exhibited  with  tlieir  nest)  has 
given  rise  to  much  discussion  among  ornithologists,  some  placing  it 
in  one  family  and  some  in  another.  Probably  it  should  be  associated 
■with  the  Chatterers,  which  it  resembles  not  only  in  its  structure  but 
in  its  habits.     Its  eggs  are  white  with  greyish-black  spots. 

Family  XVII.  Laniid^e.     Shrikes  or  Butchek-Bikds. 

[Case  70.]  The  Shrikes  are  a  nearly  cosmopolitan  family  of  birds,  being  found 
everywhere  except  iu  South  America.  The  typical  forms  are  character- 
ised by  tlieir  strongly  hooked  notched  bill,  which  somewhat  resembles 
that  of  a  Falcon.  The  young  in  their  iirst  plumage  differ  from  the 
adult  and  have  the  jilumage  barred.     The  smaller  and  weaker  members 


i'i:utiliN(:-nmDs. 


123 


of  the   group  are   insectivorous,  l)ut  the  larger  forms    prey   on  small 
mammals,  birds,  and  reptiles. 

Of  tlie  four  subfamilies  recognised  the  Gi/iiinor/iuM'  ineluile  some  of 
the  huge  forms  such  as  the  Piping  Crows  [Gymnorhinu  aud  Cracticus) 
(2206  8),  of  Australia,  and  the  remarkable  ]-ed  and  black  Pityriasis 
[lyinnocvjjlialu  (2209),  fiom  Borneo.  The  true  Shrikes  or  Butclier-Birds 
(Luniince)  derive  their  name  from  their  habit  of  impaling  their  prey 
upon  the  thorns  whicli  surround  their  nest,  aiul  mice,  birds,  frogs,  and 
insects  are  to  be  found  hanging  in  the  "  larders  "  of  these  birds.  The 
most  familiar  is  the  Red-backed  Shrike  {Lanius  cu/lurio)  (2218),  a 
summer  visitor,  breeding  in  luigland  and  the  south  of  Scotland.  The 
Great  Grey  (2214),  the  Lesser  Grey  (2215),  and  the  Woodchat  (2219) 
Shiikes  are  occasional  visitors  to  Britain,  and  there  is  evidence  that  the 
last  species  has  bred  on  more  than  one  occasion  in  the  south. 

Among  the  African  subfamily  MaluconutitKe  wc  find  some  most 
brilliantly  coloured  forms,  such  as  the  species  of  Laiiiarius  (2223  30). 

The  Pachi/ccphaliiKe  are  a  large  group  of  smaller  forms  ranging  from 
Australia  and  Polynesia  to  Borneo  and  the  Philippines.  One  of  tlie 
largest  and  most  handsomely  marked  species  is  the  Australian  Fulcuii- 
cuhis  frmlalis  (2243),  a  pair  of  which  arc  exhibited  with  their  nest. 

Family  Will.  Pakid.i:.  Tits. 
The  numerous  small  birds  comprising  this  family  are  spread  over  all  I* 'axe  77.] 
the  northern  jiarts  of  the  Old  aud  New  Worlds,  and  extend  their  range 
southwards  throughout  Africa,  but  are  not  met  with  in  South  America 
or  in  the  Australian  region.  As  a  general  rule  the  species  are  not 
migratory.  They  are  characterised  by  their  stout  conical  bill.  As  in 
the  Crows  the  metatarsus  is  strongly  scaled.  The  plumage  is  alike  in 
both  sexes,  and  there  is  only  one  moult,  which  takes  place  in  autumn. 
Except  during  the  breeding  season  they  congregate  in  flocks,  aud,  in 
company  with  Golden-Crested  Wrens,  Tree-Crecpcrs,  Nuthatches  and 
other  small  birds,  traverse  the  woods  in  search  of  insect-food.  The 
majority  place  their  somewhat  roughly  luade  open  nest  in  holes  in  trees 
or  walls,  but  the  Lung-tailed  Tits  (^i^i/it/ialm:)  (2244-6)  build  a  beautiful 
domed  nest  of  moss  and  lichen,  thickly  lined  with  feathers,  with  an 
opening  near  the  top,  while  the  species  of  Remiza  (2247  8)  construct 
a  purse-shaped  nest  of  felted  down  with  a  tubular  entrance.  Six 
species  are  found  in  Great  Britain,  viz.  ;  the  Great  (2253),  Coal- (2260), 
Marsh-  (2266),  Blue  (2251),  Crested  (2263),  and  Long-tailed  Tits 
(2244),  the  latter  being  one  of  our  smallest  birds.  Of  the  exotic  species, 
one  of  the  most  striking  is  the  Sultan-Titmouse  [Melanochlora  sultanea) 
(2262)  from  the  Lido-Chinese  countries,  conspicuous  on  account  of  its 
long  yellow  crest. 


124. 


lUHII   (iALLIMlV. 


l'\imily  XIX.    P.wuRin.i .      1?kari)i:i)  Tits. 

[Case  77.]  The  sole  representative  of  tins  family  is  tlie  Bearded  Tit  or  Bearded 
Rccdling  (Pf/niirua  hianiiiciin)  (2249),  which  is  still  found  as  a  resident 
in  tlie  Norfolk  Broads  and  ranges  across  Europe  to  Central  Asia.  It 
was  formerly  more  widely  distributed  over  the  southern  counties  of 
England,  ])nt  the  draining  of  the  reedy  feus  destroyed  its  breeding- 
grounds.  Its  affinities  are  somewhat  doubtful,  but  its  natural  position 
appears  to  be  near  the  Tits.  The  male  is  more  handsomely  marked 
than  the  female,  which  lacks  the  grey  head  and  black  moustache.  The 
food  consists  of  insects  and  inollusea,  for  which  it  searches  among  the 
reed-beds.  The  nest,  made  of  dead  flags,  grass,  &c.  and  lined  with  reed- 
flowers,  is  built  among  aquatic  plants  near  the  water.  The  eggs  are 
xvhite,  streaked  with  wavy  lines  of  brownish-black. 

Family  XX.  C'H.vMiEiD.i;.     Wren-Tits. 

[Ca.se  77.  Three  American  species  of  Chamaa  (2268)^  peculiar  to  the  dried 
plains  and  bushy  hill-sides  of  Oregon  and  California,  arc  the  repre- 
sentatives of  this  famih'.  In  their  habits  and  general  appearance  they 
resemble  the  AVrcns. 


Family  XXI.  Regulid*.     Golden-Crested  Wrens. 

[Case  77.]  About  a  dozen  species  of  tiny  birds  inhabiting  the  northern  parts  of 
the  Old  and  New  Worlds  comprise  this  family,  which  is  intermediate 
between  the  Titmice  and  Warblers.  The  Common  Gold-crest  (Kegidus 
cristatvs)  (2269),  a  resident  British  species  and  the  smallest  of  our  native 
birds,  ranges  across  Europe  and  Northern  Asia.  Its  cuiD-shaped  nest  of 
moss  and  feathers  is  suspended  below  the  end  of  a  branch  and  may  contain 
as  many  as  twelve  tiny  white  eggs  suffused  with  yellowish-brown.  The 
Fire-crest  [R.  ignk-apilius)  (2270)  is  an  irregular  visitor  to  our  shores. 
A  very  handsome  species  is  the  North  American  Ruby-crest  {R.  calen- 
dula) (2272),  which  differs  from  the  other  species  iii  having  a  red 
crest. 

Family  XXII.  Sittid^.     Nuthatches. 

[Case  77.'  The  Nuthatches,  of  which  our  common  species  S'ltta  ctesia  (2274)  is 
typical,  are  closely  allied  to  the  Titmice,  but  may  be  distinguished  by 
their  strong,  elongate,  wedge-shaped  bill.  They  have  the  general 
appearance  of  small  Woodpeckers  and  climb  trees  with  almost  the  same 
facility,  but  unlike  these  birds  they  have  a  short,  square  tail  composed 
of  soft-plumaged  feathers.     The  well-timbered  districts  and   forests  of 


I'EKCHING-HI  KDS.  125 

Nortli  America,  Eim)[)c,  and  Asia  are  tlieir  honu'j  ami  eastwards,  allied 
t'orms  (Neosittu)  (2279 -81)  occur  in  New  Guiuca  and  Australia,  while 
one  genus  [Hypositia]  is  found  in  Madagascai'.  Like  its  allies,  the 
Common  Nuthatch  is  a  resident  species,  and  ranges  froiu  Central  and 
Southern  Europe  to  North-west  Africa.  As  its  name  implies,  it  is 
extremely  partial  to  hazel-nuts  with  which  it  varies  its  insect  diet.  The 
nut  is  firmly  wedged  by  the  bird  in  some  chink  of  bark  and  the  shell  is 
then  broken  by  repeated  blows  from  the  strong  bill.  The  nesting  site 
is  almost  always  a  hole  in  a  tree,  and  should  the  entrance  be  too  large,  it 
is  neatly  plastered  up  with  clay  and  reduced  to  the  required  size.  The 
extraordinary  nest  (2282)  exhibited  in  the  Case  was  placed  in  the  side 
of  a  haystack  and  measured  thirteen  inches  in  length,  the  weight  of 
clay  being  eleven  pounds.  The  .Vustralian  Neosifta  makes  a  small 
funnel-shaped  nest  ])laccd  in  a  forked  branch  of  a  tree  (228!). 

Family  XXIll.  Cekthhd.i;.     Tkee-Ckeepeks. 

The  typical Tree-Crcepers  (Certhiu)  (2348  50)  are  distinguislicd  from  [Cast  77. ] 
other  Acromyodian  Passeres  by  having  long  s/iff-polnted  tail-feathers, 
like  those  of  a  Woodpecker,  but  all  the  other  members  comprising  this 
family,  though  they  climb  with  equal  facility,  have  a  soft  nearly  square 
tail.  The  bill  is  long  and  curved,  well  adapted  for  extracting  insect 
food  from  crevices  in  the  bark  of  trees  or  in  rocks.  The  family  ranges 
from  North  and  Central  America,  Europe,  and  Asia,  eastwards  to  New 
Guinea  and  Australia,  and  the  majority  of  the  species  inhabit  wooded 
districts.  The  Common  Tree-Creeper  {Certhiu familiaris)  (2348),  a  well- 
known  British  resident,  places  its  nest  iu  holes  and  crevices  in  trees  and 
walls  and  lays  white  eggs  spotted  red  and  lilac.  The  beautiful  Wall- 
Creeper  [Tichodroina  miuaria)  (2353)  which  inhabits  the  mountains  of 
Southern  Europe  and  Asia,  nesting  in  some  crevice  of  the  rocks,  has 
on  two  occasions  visited  England. 

Family  XXIV.   Zostkuopiij.e.     White-eyes. 

The  numerous  small  species  oi  Zosterups  (2283-7)  derive  their  name  •^Cas,-  77.] 
"  White-eye  "  from  the  ring  of  white  feathers  which  encircles  the  eye  iu 
all.  The  sexes  are  alike  in  plumage  and  the  predominating  colours  are 
olive-green  and  yellow.  The  various  species  range  from  Africa  and 
Southern  Asia  to  Japan,  and  through  the  Malay  region  and  Polynesia 
to  Australia  and  New  Zealand.  Their  habits  and  notes  are  Tit-like 
and  they  generally  feed  in  small  flocks,  searching  the  trees  and  bushes 
for  insects. 


126  DlRl)   (iALLKKV. 

Family  XXV.  Dii.eid.e.     Flower-peckers. 

[Case  77.  Tliese  small  birds  are  allied  to  the  Sun-birds,  but  distinguished  Ijy 
having  a  miicli  shorter  bill  which  is  serrated  along  the  edges  of  Ijotli 
mandibles. 

They  range  from  India  and  the  Indo-Malayau  eountrics,  through  New 
Guinea  to  Australia,  and  a  few  representatives  arc  found  ou  the  West 
Coast  of  Africa.  The  plumage  is  generally  brilliant  in  the  males,  plainer 
in  the  females.  In  their  habits  and  choice  of  food  they  resemble  the 
Sun-birds.  The  species  of  Dictcum  build  beautiful  purse-shaped  nests 
suspended  from  a  slender  branch.  They  are  either  made  entirely 
from  the  cotton-like  substance  which  fills  the  seed  vessels  of  many 
plants  (2288),  or  have  an  outer  coating  of  moss  and  lichen  (2289  90). 
The  more  'i'lt-like  Australian  species  of  Pardalotus  (2292),  which  have 
a  stouter  bill,  breed  in  holes  in  trees,  walls,  or  banks,  and  construct  a 
round  nest  of  roots,  grass  aiul  feathers. 

Family  XXVI.  Nectariniid/E.     Sun-birds. 

[Ca.si  77.  In  their  brilliant  metallic  plumage  and  outward  appearance  the 
Sun- birds  bear  a  strong  superficial  resemblance  to  the  TrochUidce,  and 
arc  often  mistaken  for  them.  A  notable  case  is  that  of  Cinui/ns  osen 
(2305),  a  species  inhabiting  Palestine,  and  known  to  the  English 
residents  as  the  "  Jericho  Humming-Bird."  The  numerous  species  are 
confined  to  the  Old  World  and  range  from  Africa  and  Southern  Asia  to 
New  Guinea  and  Australia.  The  bill  is  long,  curved  and  slender,  finely 
serrated  at  the  extremity  ;  the  tongue,  extensile  and  tubular  like  that 
of  the  Woodpeckers  and  Humming-Birds,  and  the  sexes  are  generally 
verv  different  from  one  another  in  coloration,  except  in  Arachiothera 
(2307).  Sun-birds  resemble  the  Tits  and  White-eyes  in  their  habits, 
generally  hunting  for  insects  among  the  trees  and  bushes  in  pairs  or 
small  bands.  With  their  long  tongue  they  extract  the  nectar  from 
fiowcrs  while  clinging  to  the  stems,  for  they  are  unable  to  poise  them- 
selves in  the  air  after  the  manner  of  Humming-Birds.  The  elaborate 
nest  is  either  hung  from  the  end  of  a  branch,  as  in  the  case  of  Jitlio- 
pyga  magnifica  (2309),  or  attached  to  the  underside  of  a  leaf,  as  in 
Eudrepanis  pulcherrima  (2310).  The  eggs  are  two  in  number  and 
invariably  spotted. 

The  nest  of  the  Spider-hunter  [Arachnothera  rohusta)  (2307)  seivn  to 
the  under  side  of  a  broad  leaf  displays  a  different  type  of  structure. 

Family  XXVII.  Drepanidid.*:.     Hawaiian  Honey-Suckers. 

[Case  77.1  This  small  but  interesting  family  includes  a  number  of  curious  forms 
peculiar  to  the  hill  forests  of  the  Sandwich  Islands.     Some,  such  as  the 


I'liUCniNG-BIRDS.  127 

Long-hilled  Hemignatlius  (HeiniynatliKS  procerus)  (2341).  ivsemble  the 
Sun-birds,  but  tlie  bill  is  not  serrated,  others  liavc  the  bill  stout  and 
Finch-like,  while  in  one  remarkable  form,  Pseitdu/iestor  (2346),  it  is 
Parrot-like.  The  splendid  feather-cloaks,  waist-bands,  and  mask- 
decorations  of  the  former  Hawaiian  Kings  were  chiefly  composed  of 
the  yellow  plumage  of  the  "  Mamo  "  {Drepanis  pacifica)  (2347)  and  the 
scarlet  feathers  of  the  "  Jiwi  "  (  Vcstiaria  coccinea)  (2342).  The  former 
bird,  a  drawing-  of  which  is  exhibited  in  the  Case,  is  now-  almost 
extinct. 

Family  XXVIII.  Meliphagid.?!.      Honey-suckers. 

The  Honey-suckers  are  one  of  the  most  characteristic  families  of  fCase  76.] 
birds  met  with  in  Australia,  and  range  to  New  Guinea,  the  Moluccas, 
and  Polynesia.  They  are  chiefly  remarkable  in  possessing  an  extensile 
tongue,  forked  at  the  tip  and  broken  up  into  numerous  horny  fibres,  so 
as  to  form  a  brush  specially  adapted  for  gathering  houey  and  small 
insects  from  the  cups  of  flowers.  Two  subfamilies  are  recognised  ;  the 
Myzonwruiie,  including  the  smaller  sjiecics  such  as  Mi/zomela  (2315-7), 
with  the  general  appearance  of  Sun-birds  ;  and  the  Melipkat/i/ue.  The 
latter  contain  all  the  remaining  forms,  some  being  larger  birds  of  the 
size  of  a  Thrush.  In  many  species,  parts  of  the  head  are  bare,  and 
wattles  on  the  sides  of  the  head  and  throat  are  often  developed.     Amono- 

the  species  exhibited  we  may  call  attention  to  the  following  : Ptilutis 

(jracUis  (2325),  the  representative  of  a  large  and  widely  distributed 
genus  characterised  by  the  ornamental  yellow  ear-tufts.  Its  neatly 
woven  cup-shaped  nest  is  suspended  from  a  forked  branch.  The  remark- 
able Tui  of  New  Zealand  {Prosthemadera  nova  zealuadia')  (2330),  com- 
monly known  to  the  colonists  as  the  "  Parson-bird  "  on  account  of  the 
peculiar  white  feathers  which  adorn  its  throat  and  their  fancied 
resemblance  to  the  clerical  bands.  It  is  a  favourite  cao-e-bird  on 
account  of  its  sweet  notes  and  powers  of  mimicry.  The  Large  Wattled 
Honey-eater  {Acantlwchcera  cariincuktu)  (2339),  a  native  of  Australia, 
exhibited  with  its  uest  and  eggs.  The  Friar-Bird  {Philemon  corniculatus) 
(2329j,  also  from  Australia,  with  a  bare  head  and  curious  liorn  at  the 
base  of  the  bill.  It  will  be  noted  in  the  skeleton  of  this  species  that  tlie 
horn  is  supported  by  a  bony  core.  Lastly,  Turati's  Ilouey-eater 
{Melidectes  einiUi)  (2321),  a  curious  form  with  large  wattles  ou  the 
throat,  peculiar  to  New  Guinea. 

Family  XXIX.  Mniotiltid^.     American  Warbixrs. 

These  birds  are  entirely  conflned  to  the  Amsrican  region  and  may  be  [(1iwe78.J 
regarded  as  representing  the  Sijlvmhe  of  the   Old  Woi-ld.     Generally 


12S  mill)  li  u.i.Kitv. 

spcakiiii;  tlu'V  loi'iiiblc  tlu'  \Varl)lcrs  in  tlie-ir  iiiodu  (if  lilV,  l)iit  soiuc, 
bucli  as  Mnidtilta  curia  (2359),  arc  more  liku  Creepers  and  run  up  tr'ees 
witli  almost  tlie  same  facility.  They  differ  from  our  AVarblers  in  having 
only  nine  primary  quills  and  iu  being  more  brightly  coloured.  About 
a  hundred  and  fifty  species  have  been  distinguished,  but  it  is  doubtful 
whether  some  of  the  genera  inchulcd  iu  this  family  should  not  be  placed 
elsewhere,  the  '-American  Redstarts"  {Sefoj)/ui(/a)  (2366  7)  being 
referred  by  certain  authors  to  the  Flycatchers,  vhich  they  resemble  in 
ajjpcarauee  and  habits,  while  others  appear  to  have  more  affinity  to  the 
Wrens,  Greenlets,  and  Tanagers  respectively.  The  most  numerously 
leprcsented  genus  Deiidnica  (2354  8)  includes  nearly  forty  species,  of 
which  the  Golden  Warbler  [D.  /es/ira)  (2354)  is  one  of  the  most  familiar 
North  American  birds.  The  cup- shaped  nest  of  this  bird  and  other 
allied  forms  is  placed  in  trees  and  bushes  and  the  eggs  are  spotted  w  ith 
reddish  brown,  lilac,  and  grey. 

Family  XXX.   Motacillid.);.      Waotails  axd  Pii'its. 

rC;ise  78. 1  The  nine-quilled  Fasscres  included  iu  this  family  range  over  the 
greater  part  of  the  World,  but  are  absent  in  Polynesia.  As  iu  the  Larks 
the  inner  secondary  quills  are  greatly  lengthcued  and  as  long  as  the 
primaries.  With  the  exception  of  two  species  which  occur  in  Noi-th- 
west  America,  the  Wagtails  (MolticiUa)  (2368-74)  arc  entirely  confined 
to  the  Old  World.  They  are  almost  entirely  terrestrial  in  their  habits  and 
frequent  the  vicinity  of  water,  both  fresh  and  salt,  meadows,  and  damp 
o-round.  With  quick  running  movements  and  constantly  vibrating  tail, 
they  catch  flies  and  other  insects,  occasionally  capturing  them  on  the 
wing.  Of  all  birds  Wagtails  are  the  most  graceful  both  iu  their  form 
and  movements.  Five  species  visit  and  breed  in  the  Biitish  Islands, 
viz.:  the  Pied  (2369),  White  (2370),  Grey  (2371),  Yellow  or  Ray's 
(2372),  and  Blue-headed  (2373)  Wagtails.  Of  these,  the  first-named  is 
by  far  the  commonest,  while  the  last,  though  it  has  been  known  to  breed, 
can  only  be  regarded  as  an  irregular  visitor  on  migration.  The  Pipits 
{Aidhus)  are  generally  to  be  distinguished  by  their  sombre  browu  coloriug, 
the  most  notable  exception  being  the  F^ast  African  Tmetothylncun  h'/icllus 
(2383),  wliich  has  most  of  the  plumage  yellow.  In  external  appearance 
and  habits  thev  are  very  similar  to  Larks,  and  the  males  soar  in  the  air 
while  they  sing.  On  the  British  list  we  find  the  Tree-  (2375),  Meadow- 
(2376),  and  Rock-  (2377)  Pipits,  which  are  common  and  breed;  the 
Norwegian  form  of  the  Rock-Pipit  (A.  rupestris)  (2378)  which  only 
occurs  on  migration;  and  the  Red-throated  (2379),  Tawny  (2380), 
Richard's  (2381),  and  Water-  (2382)  Pipits,  all  accidental  stragglers  to 
our  shores.     The  African  genus  Macronij.r  (2385-7)   includes  .several 


PERCHING-BIRDS.  129 

species  with  briglitly  coloured  under  parts  bearing  a  strauge  superKcial 
resemblance  to  certain  American  species  of'  Meadow-Lark  "  {S/unie//a) 
belonging  to  the  family  Icteridu'  (p.  132).  The  Cunimon  Cuckoo  fre- 
quently places  licr  egg  in  tlic  nests  of  AVagtails  and  Pipits,  the  Titlark 
or  ^Icadow-Pipit   (.1.  /ini/cnsis]   {2376j  being  a  t'avouriti'  host. 

Family  XXXl.  ALAUuin.t.     Larks. 

Of  the  iuuidred  oi'  uKjrc  species  recognised^  tlie  majority  are  iniiab-  [Cuse  78. 
itants  of  the  Old  World,  but  the  Horned  or  Shore-Larks  {Otoconjs) 
(2394  6)  are  also  found  in  America  where  they  range  as  far  south  as 
Colombia  in  South  America.  Larks  are  almost  entirely  terrestrial  in 
their  habits  and  generally  frequent  open  grassy  plains  or  desert  districts, 
but  the  species  of  Mirafra  (2392)  and  Lulhilu  prefer  the  vicinity  of 
bushes  or  copses^  and  frc(|uently  jKich,  while  Otocnrus,  e.Kcept  during  the 
winter  mouths,  dwells  on  the  high  uplands.  The  habit  of  soaring  w  hilc 
uttering  their  song  is  common  to  the  group,  and  with  the  e.xception  of 
a  few  species  of  Mirafra,  all  nest  on  tlie  ground.  The  eggs  arc  generally 
white,  closely  spotted  witli  brown  anti  grey.  As  in  the  Wagtails  and  Pipits 
the  inner  secondary  quills  are  greatly  developed  and  equal  in  length  to 
the  primaries,  but  the  Larks  arc  distinguished  from  these  and  other 
Passerine  birds  by  having  the  hinder  aspect  of  the  metatarsus  scutel- 
lated  or  covered  with  scales.  The  Sky-Lark  [Alattdu  arvcnsis)  (2389), 
and  the  Wood-Lark  [Lullulu  arhoreu)  (2390)  are  the  only  resident 
species  in  the  British  Islands,  but  the  European  Horned  Lark  (O.  al- 
pestris)  (2394)  is  a  more  or  les.s  i-egular  winter  visitor,  and  the  Crested 
(2388),  Short-toed  (2399),  and  White-winged  (2400)  Larks  are  occa- 
sional stragglers  to  our  slioies.  The  Fiucli-Larks  (Fi/rr/ivlauda) 
(2397  8),  have  short  thick  bills  and  form  a  rather  distinct  genus  with 
the  sexes  dift'ering  in  colour. 

Family  XXXII.   Fkinoillid.i:.      FiNciiiis  and  BiiStings. 

The  Finches  form  one  of  the  largest  families  of  Song-birds  and  [C'aaes 
numbei'  about  six  hundred  species,  which  arc  nearly  universally  distri-  ''•^i^'^-! 
buted.  As  may  be  inferred  from  the  structure  of  their  sliort,  stout, 
conical  bill,  they  live  principally  on  seeds.  Li  many  species  the  summer 
dress  IS  gained  not  by  moult,  but  by  tiie  shedding  of  the  edges  of  the 
winter  plumage,  so  that  the  luulerlying  pattern  comes  into  prominence. 
The  change  thus  effected  is  specially  marked  in  the  male  of  the  Snow- 
Bunting  {PlectropJicnchc  nicuhs)  (2473),  the  rufescent  winter  dress 
becoming  entirely  black  and  white  in  summer.  Thiee  subfamilie  sare 
recognised  :  the  Grosbeaks  {(Joccothraustlnce) ,  the  true  Flinches  [Frlagil- 
linee),  and  the  Buntings  [Ember iziiue),  characterised  in  tlie  typical  forms 


13"  lilKD  CALLEKY. 

by  marked  (liHcroiiccs  in  the  sliape  ul'  the  Itill.  To  the  lormcr  l)chjug 
the  Hawfiueh  {('uccotlirauslcs)  (2404)  and  (irecnfiiR-h  [Chluris]  (2412), 
botli  well-known  British  si)ecies,  as  well  as  u  large  numbei'  ol'  thiek- 
billed  forms,  such  as  the  brilliantly  coloured  Crested  Cardiuals 
(Cardinalis)    (2417),  chiefly  lound  in  America. 

Of  the  Friiii/iniiue  maiiy  are  included  in  tiie  liritisli  list.  Those  tiiat 
breed  are  the  Chatlinch  (2419j,  (ioldtinch  (2422),  Siskin  (2426), 
Linnet  (2433),  Lesser  Redpoll  (2434),  Twite  (2431),  House-Sparrow 
(2439),  Tree-S])arrow  (2438 ),  Crossbill  (2454),  and  BuUtincli  (2461); 
the  15rambling  (2420)  and  Mealy  Red|)oll  (2432)  are  winter  visitors; 
while  the  Serin  Finch  (2457),  Parrot  Crossbill  (2453),  Two-banded 
Crossbill  (2459),  Rose-Finch  (2458),  and  Pine-Grosbeak  (2509)  arc 
accidental  visitors.  The  Crossbill  is  an  instance  of  peculiar  modifica- 
tion, the  mandibles  crossing  each  other  in  front,  and  enabliug  the 
bird  not  only  to  open  tir-eoncs,  on  the  seeds  of  which  it  principally 
feeds,  but  to  use  its  bill  for  climbing  liki^  a  Parrot.  Other  notable 
forms  are  the  Saffron-Finches  (Syca/is)  (2447)  of  South  America, 
frequently  kei)t  as  cage-birds,  Ijiit  generally  too  ])uguacious  to  live 
with  other  birds;  tlie  hantlsome  I{/i//iic/wxrriit/itis  sucotraiii/s  {2i3^ii}, 
peculiar  to  the  island  of  Sokotra  ;  aiul  the  Ijrilliant  scarlet  Sepoy- 
Finch  [('arpoddcus  sijiahi)  (2449)  I'rom  the  Himalaya. 

The  Buntings  [Embviiz'nuc)  arc  also  well  represented  on  tiic  British 
list,  the  breeding  species  being  the  (Common  or  Corn-  (2467j,  VcUow 
(2471),  Cirl  (2470),  Reed- (2463),  and  Snow-  (2473)  Buntings,  while 
the  Black-headed  (2462),  Ortolan  (2465),  Siberian  .Aleadow-  (2475), 
Meadow-  (2475  a),  Rustic  (2476),  Little  (2477),  and  Lapland  (2474) 
Buntings,  are  accidental  visitors.  A  large  number  of  American  genera 
are  also  included  in  tiiis  group;  some,  such  as  Vijuiiusjiizu  (2482-4) 
and  Paroaria  (2506),  containing  brightly  coloured  species. 

Family  XXXIIL  Cu-:kei3iu.k.     American  CREiii'iiRs. 

[Case  80.]  The  American  Creepers  or  Quit-Quits  are  a  uine-primaricd  family, 
allied  to  the  Tanagers,  but  in  their  habits  and  other  poiuts  resemble  the 
Tits  {Pari (Ue)  and  Crcej)crs  of  the  Old  World  [CertliikUc).  The  bill 
is  usually  slender,  sometimes  conical  or  strongly  hoolied  at  the  tip  as 
in  Dlylossa  (2516-9),  and  the  extensile  tongue  is  forked  and  friuged  at 
the  extremity.  They  belong  exclusively  to  the  tropical  forest-clad  parts 
of  the  New  World,  ranging  from  Southern  Florida  to  Bolivia  and 
South-east  Brazil.  Like  the  Tanagers,  their  plumage  is  a  combination 
of  the  brightest  colours,  and  hence  some  species,  like  the  Blue  Creeper 
[Cyanerpes  cyanea)  (2528),  have  become  an  article  of  trade  for  the  orna- 
mentatiou  of  women's  hats.     The  Banana-Quit  [Cwreba  Jlaveola)  (^2629; 


PERCHTNfi-T?IRI1S.  131 

of  Jamaica  and  other  allied  species  build  tlieiv  domed  nests  in  low  trees 
or  bushes  where  wasps  have  constructed  tlieir  paper  nests.  The  object 
of  the  bird  is  evidently  to  secure  a  position  rendered  safe  from  intruders 
by  the  presence  of  these  formiilable  insects,  with  whom  a  league  of 
amity  is  established. 

I'amily  XXXIW  TAXAOiiinr.     Tanaokhs. 

Tliesc  bi'illiantly  coloui'cd  niuc-priniarie(l  birds  oC  the  New  World  [CnsoSO.] 
are  closely  related  to  the  Finches,  but  may  generally  be  distinguished 
hv  possessing  a  notch  towards  the  cud  of  th(>  up))er  maudiljle.  Some  are, 
however,  very  closely  related  to  the  Finches,  others  to  the  ('wrchli/tf  and 
Mn'iotilt'idie.  About  tln-echuudrcd  and  fifty  species  arc  recognised,  many 
of  which  arc  well  known  on  account  of  their  gorgeous  plumage,  remark- 
able even  among  the  richly  coloured  birds  of  South  America.  The 
most  striking  Forms  belong  to  the  genera  C/i/nroi'/iri/sn  (2534-5), 
Cd/liste  (2543-53),  «/''/m/'/"'(VP^^s'  (2561  ),  and  /V««^"  ( 2565-7)  ;  some 
of  which  arc  fi('(jucntiy  imported  as  cage  birds  into  iMirope. 

Family  XXX\'.  Ploceid.*:.     Weaver-Finchks. 

The  Weaver-Birds  are  nearly  related  to  the  Finches,  ])ut  maybe  [CaseSl.] 
distinguished  by  possessing  ten  primary  quills.  They  form  a  somewhat 
numerous  family  of  brigiitly  coloured  birds,  distributed  over  the  Afiican, 
Indian,  and  Australian  regions.  Tlie  trivial  name  is  derived  from  the 
skill  shown  by  the  typical  members  of  the  family  in  weaving  their 
remarkable  nests,  which  are  most  ingeniously  calculated  to  ensure  the 
safety  of  their  young.  Nnmcrous  examples  of  their  architecture  will  be 
found  exhibited  in  the  case.  Alauy  species  liavc  two  seasonal  plumages, 
a  fact  which  is  especially  noticeable  in  the  males.  In  winter  they  are 
mostly  dull-coloured  and  striped  with  brown,  but  in  the  breeding- 
season  they  are  richly  coloured,  as  in  the  species  of  Heter/ii/p/iantcs 
(2636),  Hijp/ia/i/oniis  (2638-40),  and  P/«m/*  (2641 ),  while  some  develop 
long  ornamental  tail-feathers  [I'enthclri'i  (2585),  Cherti  (2586),  and 
Vidua  (2584)). 

Two  subfamilies  are  recognized,  the  Vidithuo,  in  which  the  first 
primary  is  very  small  and  falcate,  and  the  F/nceiiKP,  with  the  first 
primary  large  and  obtuse. 

To  the  first  section  belong  the  Viduas  or  Whydah-birds  {Viiliia  priii- 
cijxiUs  (2584)  and  Client  prnyae  (2586)),  remarkable  for  their  habit  of 
soaring  during  the  breeding-season.  Rising  to  a  considerable  height, 
they  hover  in  the  aii',  with  long  arched  tail  and  flapping  wings,  and 
presently  descend  with  great  velocity.  With  these  are  associated  many 
well-known  and  attractive  smaller  forms  frequently  kept  as  cage-birds, 


132  niitn  calleuy. 

snoli  as  tlio  s|iecies  of  Miniia  (2610-4),  Po<'p/ii//i  (2624-5),  ;m(l  Estrilda 
(2628-31),  and  tlio  lovely  Enjthnrrd  (2619-20).  Of  tlic  numerous 
species  tliat  l)uil(l  in  colonics  the  Sociable  Weavers  (/-"///Yrf'/rrj/.v  sorii's) 
(2645)  of  South  Africa  is  perhaps  one  of  the  inost  interesting.  By 
the  united  workmanship  of  a  large  nuniljer  of  birds,  an  Timbrella- 
sliajied  structure  of  sticks  and  sti'aw  is  erected  among  the  bi'anchcs  of  a 
tree,  and  from  the  underside  of  this  thatched  roof  eaeli  pair  sus))end 
their  nest  woven  of  dry  grass,  and  i-cai'  their  young,  secure  from  the 
attacks  of  smdces  and  other  enemies. 

Of  the  I'/iiiriiui',  the  most  familiar  is  the  common  Indian  sj)ccies, 
P/oceiis /ii/i/ii  (2641),  which  suspends  its  flask-shaped  ucst  with  a  long 
tubular  entrance  from  a  branch  overhanging  the  water.  This  species 
invariably  lays  white  eggs,  but  some  of  the  African  species  of  Hijplimit- 
ornis  (2638-40)  and  Pijronu'ldiiii  (2588-9)  lay  eggs  of  several  types, 
and  the  same  nest  may  contain  white,  ])ale  blue,  or  green  egg~,  uniform 
or  spotted  with  red. 


Family  XXXVI.  Ictekid.t..     Hang-nests.      (Plate  XXII.  tigs.  2,  3.) 

[Cases  These  birds  represent  the  Starlings  and  ^Yeavers  in  the  New  World, 
■'  and  Hiehulc  a  large  ntimuer  (jt  species  possessing  only  nine  primary 
quills.  Five  subfamilies  are  recognized.  The  Cassiqucs  (Caxsichia') 
are  forest-birds  mostly  of  large  size,  one  of  the  largest  being  the  Central 
American  (Gi/iiinostinops  indnteziiiiKP)  (2647).  The  Maize  -  Birds 
(Af/ela'intp)  are  ground-haunting  species  frequenting  the  oiien  pastures, 
prairie  lands,  and  pampas.  They  include  the  especially  interesting 
Bobolink  (Dolic/ioni/.i-  onjzivorm)  (2654)  [PI.  XXI 1.  fig.  .3]  and  the 
Cow-birds  [Mnlut/tn's)  ("2655)  [PL  XXII.  fig.  2],  in  which  the  poly- 
gamous and  parasitic  habits  of  some  of  the  Cuckoos  of  the  Old  World 
are  repeated.  The  Bobolink,  one  of  the  finest  American  songsters, 
is  perhaps  only  I'ivalled  by  the  Baltimore  Oriole  [Icterus  bnltimurc) 
(2670),  a  well-known  representative  of  the  true  Hang-nests  (Ictennce). 
This  species  and  many  of  its  allies  are  of  brilliant  black  and  yellow 
plumage,  and  for  this  reason,  generally  known  as  American  "  Orioles," 
but  they  must  not  be  confounded  with  the  Orioles  of  the  Old  World, 
which  they  superficially  resemble.  Quiscalus  major  (2682)  may  be  taken 
as  a  type  of  the  next  subfamily,  Quiscaliiii£,  characterised  bv  the  long 
stout  metatarsi  suited  to  a  tcrrestriid  lii'c.  Lastly,  the  S/iirjic/fi/ne, 
including  the  Troupials  [I'mpiti/is)  (2668  a)  and  "  Mcadow^Larks " 
{Sturitcllti)  (2668),  are  remarkable  on  account  of  their  extradsH^^ry 
mimetic  resemblance  to  the  Pipits,  more  especially  of  tlip'^^^s 
Mncronyx  (p.  128),  their  lengthened  inner  secondaries  and  strong  feet 
adapting   them  to  tlieir  purely  terresti'ial  life.     Many  of  the  species 


PERCHINfi-BIRDS.  133 

breed  in  colonics,  tlic  Af/oheimP  nnd  Qidscalhue  mnkiiii;-  cnp-sliaped  nests, 
wliile  the  Icteriiue  and  Cr/ssiviiKe  Iniild  elaborate  stnictnres,  which  rival 
those  of  the  Weavers. 

Family  XXXVII.  Okiolipe.  Ohioi.es. 
The  Orioles  form  a  well-marked  group  of  brightly  colonrcd  birds  [Ciisesj.] 
mostly  of  a  golden  yellow  contrasting  with  deep  l)lack.  They  are 
entirely  confined  to  the  Old  World,  and  range  from  Africa,  through 
Europe  and  Asia,  to  Australia.  Tiiey  are  arboreal  in  their  habits,  and 
feed  on  fruit.s,  especially  ehevries,  and  insects.  Tlie  (iolden  Oriole 
(Orwli/s  f/al/wJu]  (2705)  is  an  annual  spring  migrant  to  the  south  of 
England,  and,  if  niiniolested,  would  breed  there  reguhirly.  Its  cradle- 
like  nest  is  skilfully  sus])endod  in  the  fork  of  a  branch,  and  the  eggs 
are  white,  blotched  with  reddish-purple.  Oriohis  Iru'illi  (2712),  witli 
its  crimson  and  black  plumage,  represents  a  differently  coloured  section 
of  the  genus,  met  with  in  I<]a.steru  Asia,  and  Sp/iccul/irres  (2710-1)  is 
the  representative  form  in  Australia  and  New  Guinea. 

Family  XXXVIII.  Dicrurid^.     Drongos. 

Tlieso  Crow-like  Flycatchers  form  one  of  the  best-defined  families  of  [Cusp  82.] 
Passcres,  and  range  from  Africa,  India,  and  China  tlirough  tiie  Malayan 
Archipelago  to  Aiistralia.  In  nearly  all  the  species  the  plumage  is 
black  and  the  tail  strongly  forked,  especially  in  the  species  of  Jhic/i<iii</u 
(  2699  ),  and  in  some  forms,  such  as  Diss('iiiuni.<;  (2700)  and  Bhriiu/a  (2701) , 
the  outer  tail-feathers  are  greatly  ])rolouged,  ending  in  a  "racket"; 
while  otliers,  such  as  Chibid  (2695),  have  a  long  hairy  crest  of  barl)less 
plumes.  They  feed  habitually  on  the  wing,  darting  from  some  i;erch 
on  a  tree  to  catch  passing  insects.  The  Larger  Racket-tailed  Drongo 
{Dissemrirus  /Jiirinliseus)  (2700)  of  India  has  a  really  fine  song,  and  is 
perhaps  the  best  singing-bird  in  the  East.  The  cup-shaped  or  cradle- 
like nest  (2694  a)  is  placed  in  the  fork  of  a  tree,  and  the  eggs  are  whitish 
marked  with  various  shades  of  red. 

Family  XXXIX.  Eurvcerotid.e.     Ma».\gascar  Starlings. 

Eid-ijcvrds  jirecosti  (2693),  a  native  of  Madagascar,  is  the  sole  repre-   [Case  82.] 
scntative  of  this  family,  and  is  remarkable  on  account  of  its  abnormally 
deep  stout  bill. 

Family  XL.  KuLAiiETin.?: .     Tree-Starlinos. 

The  Starlings  included  iu  this  family  differ  from  the  true  Starlings   [Case  83.] 
{Stvniidce)  in  being  strictly  arboreal  in  their  habits,  in  being   provided 


13  )  BIKIl  GALLERY. 

with  bristles  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  and  in  laying  spotted  eggs.  They 
range  from  Afriea,  through  India  and  the  Moluccau  Islands,  to 
Australia.  The  most  familiar  are  the  Grackles  or  Talking  Mynas 
(Euhihes)  (2727-8),  many  of  which  are  well-known  cage-birds,  and  can 
l)e  easily  taught  to  repeat  words  or  sounds. 

To  this  gro\ip  also  belong  the  beautiful  Glossy  Starlings  [LdDipninifius) 
i2747-8)  of  Afi'ica,  the  remarkable  Yellow-hreasted  ('(isinopsiirtis  rci/iiis 
(2741)  of  Somalihuiil,  and  Cdoniis  (2736-8)  of  the  Indian  and  Aus- 
tralian regions. 

Kauiily  XIjI.  Stuhnid/j:.  Stahlin'cs. 
[Cases:!.]  This  widely-distributed  group  is  peculiar  to  the  Old  \Vorl(l.  The 
young  in  tirst  plumage  are  streaked,  and  in  this  resjiei't  Starlings  diti'cr 
from  the  Crows,  but  thoy  I'csemble  the  latter  iu  their  mode  of  pi'ogres- 
sion,  walking,  instead  of  hopping  like  Finches,  and  most  of  the  other 
Passeres.  The  Comnaon  Starling  {Shinnix  riih/nris)  (2718)  is  a  common 
resident  in  the  Briti.sh  Islands,  its  nnmljcrs  i)eing  augmented  l)y  an 
additional  host  of  migrants  in  the  autumn  and  winter.  Like  its 
allies,  though  principally  an  insect-feeder,  it  is  extremely  partial  to 
fruit,  and  does  great  damage  iu  cherry-orchards.  Another  species 
which  has  occurred  as  a  straggler  in  our  islands  is  the  Rose-coloured 
Pastor  {Pastor  ruseiis)  (2719).  Biixilciiniis  (2723-4)  is  represented  by 
a  fine  crested  species  found  in  Ceram.  A  curious  aberrant  form  is  the 
Ox-pecker  or  Rhinoceros  Bird  (Biiphayd)  (2751),  so-called  on  account  of 
its  habit,  shared  with  otlier  members  of  the  family,  of  settling  on  the 
backs  of  cattle,  camels,  &c.,  to  extract  the  grubs  which  infest  tlu'm. 

Family  XLII.    PriLoNoKHVNCHii)  i;.      H(jwhi{-I3ini)s 

(Plate  XXIII.  lig,  2.) 

[Centre        The  Rower-Birds,  which  are  undoubtedly  closely  allied   to  the   Birds 
1   of  Paradise   and   Crows,   are  iicculiar  to  New  Guinea   and   Australia, 

CflSI'.J  '  ' 

They  have  received  their  name  from  their  peculiar  habit  of  building 
bowers  or  runs  where  the  males  meet  to  play  or  pay  their  court  to  the 
females.  The  bowei's  are  built  long  before  the  birds  begin  to  construct 
their  nest,  which  is  placed  in  a  tree. 

Tlie  species  of  Ptilunorhijnchm  (2752).  ('Iiliiiinjdodn-H  (2753  5),  and 
Sericiihis  (2756)  construct  arbour-like  galleries  of  uncertain  length, 
ornamented  with  shells, 'Jjright  feathers,  and  other  decorative  materials. 
Newton's  Rower-Bird  [Pridiiudura)  (2757)  erects  an  enormous  structure 
of  sticks,  sometimes  eight  feet  in  height  and  of  a  complicated  archi- 
tecture, the  main  structure  being  supplemented  by  dwarf  hut-like 
buildings.      The  Gardener    Rower-]5irds   (Aiiibbjurms)    (2758)  build  a 


PERCHING-BIRDS.  135 


miuiature  cabin  made  of  different  musses,  and  surround  it  with  a  tin 
perfectly-kept  meadow  of  moss,  studded  with  brdliantly  coloured  flowers, 
fruits,  and  insects,  which,  as  they  become  faded,  are  constantly  replaced. 
The  drawings  on  the  adjoining  pillar  represent  the  widely  dift'erent 
gardens  and  bowers  of  Amhhjonus  tmhalaris  and  A.  inomatu  (2758) 
[PI.  XXIII.  tig.  •>].  The  handsome  Green  Cat-Birds  {^Elurcedns) 
(2759),  so  far  as  is  known,  arc  the  only  members  of  the  family  which 
do  not  construct  a  bower. 

Family  XLIII.    I'akadiseiu.i,.      I'akadise-Birds. 

The  Birds  of  I'aradise  arc  among  the  most  gorgeously  attired  [Centre 
Ijirds,  and  are  conHucd  to  the  forests  of  New  Guinea  and  the  neigh-  '^^^'^ 
bouring  islands,  as  well  as  Australia.  Skins  of  some  of  the  larger 
kinds  were  foi'meily  articles  of  commerce,  and  arc  still  exported  in 
some  niiinbers  for  decorative  purposes.  Aljout  a  hundi'cd  and  fifty 
years  ago  it  was  the  custom  of  the  natives,  in  preparing  the  skins,  to 
tear  off'  the  legs,  and  sometimes  even  the  wings.  The  constant  arrival 
in  Europe  of  birds  without  these  natural  appendages  gave  rise  to 
the  supposition  that  Paradise-birds  were  devoid  of  them.  The  male 
bird  was  supposed  to  float  about  in  mid-air  and,  by  spreading  out  bis 
long  flank-feathers,  to  form  a  bower,  in  which  the  female  built  her 
nest  !  Thus  it  was  that,  in  1766,  Liniueus  actually  named  the  largest 
form  Panidki'd  (i/ioda  (10),  or  the  Paradise-bird  without  legs.  A  glance 
at  the  structure  of  the  bill  and  feet  will  show  that  these  beautiful 
birds  are  in  all  respects  extremely  similar  to  Crows,  which  they  resemble 
in  their  nesting  habits,  their  chief  characteristic  being  their  fantastic 
oniamental  plumes.  A  very  fine  series,  including  representative  forms 
of  almost  every  genus,  is  exhibited  m  the  Centre-case.  The  number  on 
each  species  refers  to  a  special  printed  list,  copies  of  which  are  mounted 
in  the  Case. 

An  interesting  preparation  of  the  windpipe  of  an  adult  male  of  the 
Purple-and-\'iolct  Manucode  [Phonyyama  jjurjjurco-riolacfu)  will  be 
found  in  the  Case.  It  shows  the  remarkable  convolutions  of  the 
trachea  between  the  skin  and  breast-muscles  before  finally  entering  the 
lungs.  The  call-note  of  this  species  is  described  as  being  prolonged, 
bass,  and  guttural. 

Family  XLIV.  Corvid.e.     Crows. 
By  almost  common  consent  the  birds  of  this  family  are  placed  at  the       [(-'nsej 
head  of  the  class  Aveg.     Pre-eminence  must  be  given  to  the  members  '  ' ' 
of  the  genus  Corvus,  more  especially  to  the  Raven  (C  corax)  (2793)  of  the 
Northern   Hemisphere,   the  bird    perhaps  best    known  from  the  most 
ancient  times. 


13fi  BIKl)  GALLERY. 

Ill  the  Crow  wc  Hud  tlie  most  liiglily-(levelo|ic(l  type  of  wiiij;  and 
toot.  Ill  the  t'ormiT  every  quill  and  wing-covert  is  pert'eetly  t'ornied  ; 
and  iu  the  latter  all  tlie  scales  on  the  metatarsi  and  toes  are  more 
strongly  indicated  than  in  any  other  Passerine  Ijird. 

The  distribution  of  the  family  is  nearly  universal. 

Three  subfamilies  are  recognised  :  the  True  Crows  (CurriiKp),  Mag|)ies 
and  Jays  (Guriii/iiue) ,  and  the  Choughs  (Firr/i/iiue). 
[Case  84.]  Of  the  former  the  best-known  examples  are  the  Haven  (2793j, 
Carrion-Crow  (2796),  Hooded  Crow  (2797),  KooU  (2792),  and  Jack- 
daw (2801),  all  well-known  British  residents;  also  tlie  Nutcracker 
{Xiirifni(/(i  airi/iicfi/i/cfi's)  (2806),  an  irregular  visitor  to  England.  A 
remarkable  African  form  is  found  in  ('um/'/in-  (2794-5),  wliicli  has 
a  greatly  developed  upper  mandibk'. 

Our  Magpie  (2810)  and  Jay  (2823)  represent  the  second  subfamily 
( (ifintdiiue), with  which  are  also  associated  xarioiis  striking  Oriental  forms, 
sueli  as  L'rocissn  (2822),  Dendrncitfa  (2819-20),  and  rv,y.w  (2815-16), 
and  the  .Vmerican  genera  A7//(//m//7/  (2831  2)  and  ry«;/r;ro/7/,c  (2829-30). 
[Ua.-^e83.^  Tlie  third  subfamily,  Fnyi/i/iw,  includes  onr  Common  Chough  (dr/i- 
cu/h.^)  (2837)  and  the  Alpine  Chough  [Pyrrhororax)  (2836). 

Among  the  more  aberrant  forms  also  included  in  the  family  we  may 
draw  special  attention  to  the  curious  looking  West  African  Bald-headed 
Crow  (Piciit/uir/c.s)  (2840),  the  New  Zealand  Kokako  or  Wattled  Crow 
(G/mtcoph)  (2839),  and  the  Iluia  {Hrfcni/or/w  m-iitiros/ris)  {2939} .  In 
thi.s  New  Zealand  bird  the  two  sexes  exhibit  a  ditferent  form  of  bill,  that 
of  the  male  being  moder.itely  j)0werful,  while  in  the  female  it  is  slender 
and  sickle-shaped.  The  pair  are  said  to  hunt  in  company,  and  live  on 
the  grubs  which  burrow  in  wood.  The  male  attacks  the  more  decayed 
portions  of  the  wood,  ehiselliug  out  the  concealed  grubs  like  a  Wood- 
pecker, while  the  female  inserts  her  long  bill  into  boles,  where  the 
hardness  of  the  surrounding  wood  prevents  the  male  from  jienetrating. 
When  tiie  male  is  unable  to  icacli  some  larva;,  the  female  has  been 
observed  to  come  to  bis  aid,  and  n  ith  her  longer  and  more  slender  beak 
secure  the  hidden  prey. 


DESCRIPTION 


OF     THE 


NESTING-SERIES    OF    BRITISH    BIRDS. 


Owing  to  Avaut  of  space  in  the  Bird  Gallery  it  has  been  found  impossible 
to  arrange  the  Cases  containing  the  Nesting-series  of  British  Birds  in 
exact  scientific  order.  The  following  descriptions  of  the  species 
exhibited  are  therefore  arranged  in  the  same  sequence  as  the  Cases, 
■which  bear  a  special  set  of  numbers. 

"  Nesting-series  No.  1  "  is  placed  close  to  the  entrance  to  the  Bird 
Gallery,  and  the  last  Case  (No.  159)  will  be  found  in  the  Pavilion,  at 
the  further  end. 

No.  1.  STARLING  or  STARE,     (Stunms  vulgaris.) 

The  most  widely  distributed  of  our  indigenous  birds  and  very 
numerous  in  cultivated  districts,  where  it  destroys  an  immense  number 
of  noxious  grubs  and  insects,  and  thus  proves  to  be  a  great  friend  of 
the  farmer.  It  places  its  nest,  a  large  untidy  structure  of  dry  grass 
or  straw,  sometimes  lined  with  wool  or  feathers,  in  a  tree  or  in  masonry, 
and  readily  attaches  itself  to  the  habitation  of  man,  breeding  under  the 
roofs  of  houses.  It  is  very  prolific,  rearing  two  broods  of  from  four 
to  seven  young  ones  each.     The  eggs  are  pale  greenish-blue.. 

Norfolk,  June. 

Presented  by  Lord  Walsingham. 

No.  2.  JAY.     (Garrulus  glaudarius.) 

This  beautiful  bird  is  resident  in  the  British  Islands  and  was  formerly 
more  common  than  at  the  present  time,  having  been  persecuted  in 
many  localities  on  account  of  its  egg-stealing  propensities  and  the 
depredations  which  it  occasionally  commits  in  orchards  and  gardens. 
It  inhabits  thickly-wooded  districts,  and  builds  its  nest  at  a  height  of 


138  HIKD  GALLERY. 

from  eight  to  twenty  feet  from  the  ground  on  a  brancli  or  in  a  liigh 
bush.  The  nest  is  open  at  the  top  and  eonstructed  of  short  twigs,  with 
a  lining  of  fine  roots  and  grass.  The  eggs,  from  four  to  seven  in 
iiumbei',  arc  greenisli-grey,  speckled  with  olive-brown. 

Norfolk  :  nest  with  eggs,  May;  young  birds,  June. 
Presented  by  Lord  tValsbigham. 

No.  3.  NUTCRACKER,     (Nucifraga  caryocatactes.) 

A  native  of  the  pine-clad  regions  of  Eurojie  and  Siberia,  and  a  very 

irregular  autumn-visitor  to   Great  Britain,   about  twenty  occurrences 

having  been   recorded.      Large    flocks  are   sometimes    formed    in   the 

autumn,  Avhen  considerable  migrations  take   place  in  search  ot  food, 

and   stragglers  occasionally   reach  our  shores.     The  nest,    which  was 

placed  in  the  fork  of  a  spruce-fir  tree  about  fiftecu  feet  from  the  ground, 

is  not  roofed  over,  but  half-domed  nests  are  occasionally  found.     The 

eggs  vary  from  two  to  five  in  number,  and  are  pale  bluish-greeu  spotted 

with  ash-brow  u. 

Hungary,  April. 

Presented  hy  C.  G.  Danford,  Esq. 

No.  4-.  ROOK.     (Trypanocorax  frugilegus.) 

A  common  i-esident  and  generally  distributed  over  the  wooded  and 
cultivated  districts  of  the  British  Islands.  Gregarious  in  its  habits, 
this  bird  breeds  in  large  companies,  resoi'ting  early  in  spring  to  the 
same  "  rookery  "  year  after  year.  The  nests  are  generally  i)laced  on 
the  tops  of  tall  trees  in  the  neighbourhood  of  houses  and  constructed  of 
sticks  and  twigs,  lined  with  rootlets,  wool,  etc.  From  four  to  six  eggs 
are  laid,  and  resemble  those  of  the  Hooded  and  Carrion  Crows.  The 
food  consists  chiefly  of  insects  and  their  larvse ;  but  in  dry  seasons, 
when  these  are  scarce,  the  nests  of  other  birds  are  systematically  robbed 
of  their  eggs. 

Bedfordshire  :  nest  with  eggs,  18th  April ;  young  birds,  13th  May. 

Presented  by  Admiral  Mark  Pec/iell. 

No.  3.  CARRION-CROW.     (Corvus  corone.) 

Distributed  throughout  England,  but  local  and  rare  in  the  north 
.ind  west  of  Scotland  and  in  Ireland,  where  the  Hooded  Crow  takes 
its  place.  The  two  species  not  infrequently  interbreed.  The  nest, 
composed  of  sticks  and  warmly  lined  with  wool,  is  generally  placed 
on  a  tree  or  ledge  of  rock  commanding  a  wide  outlook.  The  eggs 
closely  resemble   those  of  the   Rook  and  Hooded  Crow,  and  arc  four 


NKSTING-SEHIES  OF  BRITISH   BIRDS.  139 

or  five  iu  immber  This  species  feeds  on  small  mammals,  young  birds, 
eggs,  and  all  sorts  of  carrion  and  refuse,  and  the  damage  done  in  game- 
])resei'vcs  by  a  single  pair  of  these  birds  is  almost  incredible. 

South  Wales,  May. 

Presented  bij  Lord  Kensinijloii. 

No.  6.  JACKDAW.     (Colceiis  raonedula.) 

A  common  resident  and  generally  distributed  over  the  British 
Islands.  It  is  equally  at  home  on  clift's,  church-towers,  ruins,  in  rabbit- 
warrens,  or  among  the  old  trees  of  wooded  districts.  It  builds  its 
nest  in  a  recess  or  fissure  of  a  rock  or  wall,  in  a  rabbit-burrow,  or  in  a 
hole  in  a  tree,  sometimes  amassing  an  immense  quantity  of  sticks  to 
raise  the  nest  to  within  a  convenient  distance  from  the  entrance. 
Smaller  twigs,  wool,  or  other  soft  materials  form  the  bed  for  from  four 
to  six  bluish-green  eggs,  marked  with  greyish  and  brownish  spots. 

Sussex,  May. 

Presented  by  IF.  R.  Ogilde-Grant,  Esq. 

No.  7.  HOODED,  or  GREY  CROW. 

(Corvus  cornix.) 

The  Koystoii  Crow,  as  this  species  is  also  called,  visits  England  and 
Wales  from  October  onwards  in  large  numbers,  while  in  the  north  and 
west  of  Scotland  and  in  Ireland  it  is  resident.  In  its  habits,  food, 
and  mode  of  nesting  it  closely  resembles  the  Carrion-Crow,  with  which 
it  not  infrequently  interbreeds. 

Ross-sliire,  June. 

Presented  bij  Captain  S.  G.  Reid  and  IV.  R.  Ogilvle-Grant,  Esq. 

No.  8.  MAGPIE.     (Pica  pica.) 

A  woodland  bird,  resident  and  common  in  the  British  Islands.  In 
many  districts  it  is  much  persecuted  and  has  been  almost  exterminated 
on  account  of  the  damage  it  does  to  the  eggs  and  young  of  game  and 
other  birds.  The  nest,  which  is  generally  placed  high  up  in  the  fork 
of  a  tree,  but  often  in  tall  hedges  and  thorn-bushes,  is  large  aud 
composed  of  sticks,  those  of  the  base  being  cemented  with  mud  or 
clay  ;  the  inside  is  lined  with  rootlets,  and  the  whole  covered  with  a 
rouf  of  sticks.  The  eggs,  from  six  to  eight  in  numljei',  are  greenish, 
with  small  purple  and  brown  markings. 

Leicestershire,  April. 

Presented  bij  Theodore  Jl'atker,  Esq. 

L  2 


140  BIRD  GALLEUY. 

No.  9.  SISKIN.     (C'lirysoniitris  spinus.) 

Erceds  regularly  in  many  parts  of  Scotland,  more  rarely  in  England 
and  Ireland,  where  it  is  principally  known  as  a  winter  visitor.  The 
nest  is  usually  situated  in  pine-woods  and  difficult  to  find,  being  placed 
in  the  fork  of  a  hoi'izontal  branch  some  distance  from  the  stem,  and  at 
a  considerable  height  from  the  ground.  The  eggs  are  five  or  six  in 
number,  and  two  broods  are  generally  reared  in  tlic  season,  the  tirst 
leaving  the  nest  early  in  May. 

Co.  Wicklow,  April. 

Presented  by  Allan  Ellison,  Esq. 

No.  lO.  CROSSBILL.     (Loxia  curvirostra.) 

A  somewhat  rare  and  local  resident  in  our  islands,  more  often  met 
with  in  the  northern  and  central  counties  of  Scotland  and  parts  of 
Ireland,  though  it  has  been  known  to  breed  in  numerous  instances  in 
England.  The  peculiar  shape  of  its  bill  is  admirably  adapted  for 
tearing  open  the  cones  of  pine  and  larch  to  extract  the  seeds,  which  form 
its  principal  food.  The  nest  is  usually  situated  in  a  pine-tree  some 
distance  (in  the  ])resent  instance  37  feet)  from  the  ground  and  contains 
four  or  five  eggs  which  are  laid  as  early  as  February  or  March. 
The  male  in  this  group  is  probably  a  bird  in  its  second  year  and  has 
not  yet  assumed  the  red  plumage  by  which  very  old  males  are 
distinguished. 

Co.  Waterford,  March. 

Presented  by  R.  J.  Ussher,  Esq. 

No.  11.     LINNET.     (Liiiota  caiinabina.) 

Universally  distributed  throughout  the  British  Islands,  but  rare  in 
the  north  of  Scotland.  The  nest  is  generally  placed  in  gorse  or  other 
low  bushes,  and  the  eggs,  four  to  six  in  number,  are  laid  in  the  end  of 
April  or  beginning  of  May,  a  second  brood  being  often  reared  later  in 
the  season. 

Leicestershire,  May. 

Presented  by  Theodore  Walker,  Esq. 

No.  12.  LESSER  REDPOLL.     (Liuota  rufescens.) 

This  bird  was  at  one  time  supposed  to  be  restricted  to  the  British 
Isles  during  the  breeding-season,  but  it  has  uow  been  ascertained  to 


NESTINO-SERIKS  OK   BHITISH    BIRDS.  141 

nest  in  the  mountain-ranges  of  Central  Europe.  In  England  it  breeds 
principally  in  tlie  nortliern  counties,  and  in  Scotland  it  is  a  resident 
throughont  the  year  wherever  woods  and  thickets  of  hrushwood  are 
found. 

Tlic  nest,  wliich  is  a  heantifnl  little  structure,  is  usually  placed  in  a 
sheltered  position  in  a  low  tree  or  bush  aud  contains  from  four  to  six 
eggs.  In  the  south  of  England  the  breeding-season  eoniraeuees  in 
April,  but  in  the  north  it  is  often  a  month  later.  Two  broods  are 
frequently  reared  in  tlic  season. 

Norfolk,  ^lay. 

'■'  Presented  by  Lord  ll^ahingham. 

No.  13.  TWITE.     (Liuota  Havirostris.) 

The  ^louutain-Linnet,  as  this  species  is  often  called,  is  a  resident  in 
the  British  Islands,  breeding  on  the  wild  moorlands  from  the  Midlands 
northward,  and  is  especially  numerous  on  tlie  islands  off  the  coast  of 
Scotland.  It  is  also  common  on  the  mountains  of  Ireland.  Durinir 
the  winter  months  it  leaves  the  higher  ground  and  is  then  to  be  met 
with  in  flocks  near  the  sea-coast,  except  in  the  south-west  of  England 
and  Wales.  The  nest,  made  of  dry  twigs  and  roots,  lined  with  wool, 
hair,  and  feathers,  is  usually  placed  among  heather  or  in  a  low  bush, 
and  often  on  the  ground  among  grass  or  other  heritage.  From  four  to 
six  eggs,  of  a  pale  grecnisli-blue  blotched  with  reddish-brown,  are  laid 
towards  the  end  of  ^lay. 

Island  uf  Tiree,  Hebrides,  June. 

Presented  hij  Colonel  L.  H.  Irby  and  Captain  S.  G.  Reid. 

No.  14.  HOUSE-SPARROW.     (Passer  domesticus.) 

There  are  few  localities  in  the  British  Isles  in  which  the  Sparrow 
has  not  attached  itself  to  the  habitation  of  man,  appearing  and  rapidly 
increasing  wherever  the  land  is  brought  under  cultivation.  Though  a 
harmless  and  pleasant  companion  to  the  dwellers  in  towns,  it  becomes, 
owing  to  its  numbers,  a  serious  pest  in  the  country,  where  it  does  an 
infinite  amouut  of  mischief  at  all  seasons.  It  is  not  particular  as  to  a 
site  for  its  nest,  which  is  placed  in  almost  any  suitable  'situation  on 
})uildings  or  in  trees  in  their  vicinity.  When  building  in  trees  and 
adopting  its  natural  mode  of  nidifieation,  it  constructs  a  large  domed 
nest  of  any  dry  stuff,  well  lined  with  feathers,  and  with  an  entrance  in 
the  side.     It  frequently  takes  possession  of  the  nests  of  both  the  House- 


142  BIRD  GALLERY. 

and  Saud-Martin,  driving  away  the  rightful  occupants.  The  eggs  are 
from  four  to  six  in  number,  and  two,  or  often  three,  broods  arc  reared 
during  the  season. 

Pembrokeshire,  June. 

Presented  bij  Dr.  A.  Gihit/ier. 

No.  15.  BULLFINCH,     (ryrrhula  europfea.) 

A  resident  in  Western  and  Central  Europe  and  generally  distributed 
in  wooded  districts  throughout  Great  Britain  and  Ireland.  A  white- 
thorn hedge  or  fork  of  some  evergreen  bush  or  tree,  for  choice  a  box  or 
yew,  are  among  the  sites  selected  for  the  nest,  which  is  a  slenderly 
constructed  platform  of  thin  dry  twigs  lined  with  fine  roots  and  hair 
woven  into  a  shallow  cup.  The  eggs,  four  or  five  in  number,  are  laid 
in  the  early  part  of  ]\Iay. 

Cambridgeshire,  May. 

Gould  Collection. 

No.  16.  GREENFINCH  or  GREEN  LINNET. 

(Chloris  cbloris.) 

A  common  and  well-known  resident  in  the  cultivated  and  wooded 
districts  of  the  British  Islands.  The  nest,  a  somewhat  loose  structure 
of  coarse  fibrous  roots,  moss,  and  wool,  with  a  lining  of  hair  and 
feathers,  is  placed  in  hedges,  shrubs,  and  evergreens,  or  even  in  trees. 
From  four  to  six  eggs  arc  laid  at  the  end  of  April  or  early  in  May,  and 
tfl  o  broods  are  often  reared  in  the  season. 

Suff^olk,  May. 

Presented  b>j  Dr.  A.  GUnther. 

No.  17.  CHAFFINCH.     (Fringilla  cojlebs.) 

A  common  and  geuerally-distril)uted  species  throughout  the 
cultivated  and  wooded  portions  of  the  British  Islands.  The  beautifully- 
constructed  nest  of  green  moss,  wool,  and  lichens  felted  together,  and 
lined  with  hair  and  feathers,  is  placed  in  a  fork  of  the  lower  branches 
of  a  tree  or  in  a  bush.  The  eggs,  from  four  to  six  in  number,  are 
laid  in  Aj)ril  or  May,  and  two  broods  are  generally  reared  in  the 
season. 

Korfolk,  May. 

Presented  by  Lord  iralsinyhum. 


Nl:sTIN(i-SERIlS  OF  BRITISH   BIKDS.  143 

No.  18.  SNOW-BUNTING.     (Plectropheiiax  nivalis.) 

Priucipally  a  cold-weather  visitor  to  the  British  Islands,  a  few  pairs 
remaining  to  breed  on  the  higher  mountains  of  Scotland.  The  situation 
chosen  for  the  nest  in  the  present  instance  was  the  steep  side  of  a  hill 
overhanging  a  deep  corrie,  covered  with  loose  boulders  and  granite 
debris,  locally  known  as  a  "  scree."  The  nest,  placed  in  a  crevice 
among  the  stones,  was  formed  of  dry  grass,  lined  with  deer's  hair  and 
a  few  feathers  of  the  Ptarmigan.  The  eggs,  four  to  sis  in  number,  arc 
pale  greenish  white,  spotted  with  red  and  dark  purple. 

In  order  to  shew  the  nest,  it  has  been  necessary  to  remove  the  stone 
behind  which  it  was  hidden. 

Banffshire,  3700  feet  elevation,  June. 
Presented  by  L.  Hhhvman  *,■  //".  E.  Clarke,  Esqrs. 

Nos.  19  &  20.  HAWFINCH. 

(Coccothraustes  coccotluaustes.) 

Though  the  habits  of  this  species  are  so  shy  and  retiring  that  its 
presence  may  easily  escape  detection,  it  is  a  resident  in  Great  Britain 
and  has  been  known  to  breed  in  every  county  in  England,  except 
Cornwall.  The  nest,  generally  placed  in  trees  overgrown  with  grey 
lichen,  such  as  old  hawthorns,  apple-  and  pear-trees,  is  built  of  twigs 
mixed  with  grey  lichens  and  lined  with  fine  roots  and  a  little  hair. 
The  eggs,  four  or  five  in  number,  are  laid  in  the  end  of  April  or  early 
in  May,  and  only  one  brood  is  reared  in  the  season. 

Norfolk,  June. 
Presented  by  Lord  IValsingham. 

No.  21.  GOLDFINCH.     (Carcluelis  carduelis.) 

Generally  distrilnited  thronghout  the  summer  months  over  England 
and  Ireland,  but  rarer  and  local  in  Scotland.  The  majority  are 
migratoi-y,  leaving  Great  Britain  in  October  and  returning  in  April,  but, 
in  mild  winters,  some  individuals  remain  in  England.  About  the 
middle  of  May,  the  neat  compact  nest  made  of  moss,  etc.,  and  lined 
with  fine  down,  feathers,  or  hair,  is  placed  in  the  fork  of  a  tree  or  in  a 
hedge.  The  eggs,  from  four  to  six  in  number,  are  greenish-white, 
spotted  and  sti'eaked  with  purplish-brown.  Two  broods  are  produced 
in  the  vear. 


144  lUKI)   (JALLEKV. 

1.  A  nest  built  in  tlie  branch  of  an  evergreen  oak  [Quercus  ile.i:), 
about  fifteen  feet  from  tlie  ground. 

PembrokCj  June. 

Presented  hij  li.  IV.  Mirehouse,  Esq. 

2.  A  nest  built  in  an  oak  about  twelve  feet  from  the  ground,  with 

nearly  full-fledged  young. 

Norfolk,  June. 

Presented  by  Lord  Watsingham. 

No.  22.  YELLOW^  BUNTING  or  YELLOW^  HAMMER. 

(Embcriza  citrinclla.) 

A  common  resident  in  the  British  Islands.  The  nest,  constructed  of 
dry  grass  and  a  little  moss,  lined  with  finer  materials  and  hair,  is  usually 
placed  on  or  near  the  ground,  in  the  side  of  a  bank  under  tangled 
herbage  or  in  a  low  bush.  In  the  present  instance  a  dead  furze-bush 
■was  chosen.  The  eggs,  four  or  five  in  number,  arc  generally  purplish 
white,  streaked,  spotted  and  scrawled  with  long  hair-like  markiugs  of 
purplish-black.  Two  broods  are  produced  in  the  year,  the  first  set  of 
eggs  being  laid  in  the  middle  of  April. 

Norfolk,  June. 
Presented  Inj  Lord  TFo/siiig/uim. 

No.  23,  COMMON  or  CORN-BUNTING. 

(Emberiza  miliaria.) 

A  resident  species  widely  distril)uted  throughout  the  British  Islands, 
but  decidedly  local  and  principally  to  be  fonud  iu  cultivated  districts. 
Its  loosely  constructed  nest  of  dry  grass  and  roots,  lined  with  hair,  is 
always  placed  on  the  ground,  cither  in  fields  of  growing  corn,  clover,  and 
grass,  or  among  rough  herbage,  under  the  shelter  of  a  low  bush.  Four 
or  five  eggs  are  laid  about  the  cud  of  May  and  are  usually  of  a  dull 
purplish-white,  blotched  and  streaked  with  dark  purplish-brown.  The 
nest  exhilnted,  in  addition  to  its  set  of  four  eggs,  contained  a  Cuckoo's 


pcptr 


Dorset,  July. 
Presented  btj  C.  E.  Radchjjfe,  Esq. 

No.  24.  REED-BUNTING.     (Emberiza  schoeuiclus.) 

The  Reed-Sparrow,  as  this  bird  is  also  called,  is  generally  distributed 
and  resident  throughout  the  British  Islauds.  During  the  summer 
months  it  frequents  the  vicinity  of  water  and  swampy  places,  where 


XKSTi.\(:->g:itii,s  oi    nuriisn  bihds  145 

osiers,  sedge,  and  rushes  flourisli,  but  during  winter  it  is  oiteu  to  be  met 
with  in  the  stubble-fields.  Its  food  consists  of  insects  and  their  larvse, 
as  well  as  Crustacea,  seeds,  and  grain.  The  nest,  made  of  dry  grass  and 
dead  flags,  lined  with  bents,  hair,  and  flowers  of  the  reed,  is  nsually 
placed  on  the  ground  among  tufts  of  rushes,  but  occasionally  in  a  low 
bush.  The  eggs,  from  four  to  six  in  number,  are  imrplish-grey,  boldly 
marked  and  streaked  Mith  dark  purplish-brown.  Two,  and  sometimes 
three,  broods  are  reared  in  a  season. 

Norfolk,  July. 
Presented  hij  Lord  ]Vah\n(jh(im. 

No.  25.  MEADOW-PIPIT  or  TITLARK. 

(Antlius  pratonsis.) 

Generally  distributetl  tiirunghout  the  British  Islands  during  the 
summer  months,  and  almost  as  abundant  on  the  higher  moors  as  it 
is  in  the  low-lying  districts.  Many  individuals  remain  thronghout 
the  year,  but  in  autumn  large  numbers  leave  our  shores  and  return 
in  spring.  Insects,  worms,  molluscs  and  seeds  lorm  its  princi)ial 
food  and  are  actively  searched  for  on  the  ground.  The  song  is  gene- 
rally uttered  on  the  wing,  but  sometimes  when  tiie  bird  is  perched 
on  some  bush  or  stone.  The  nest  of  dry  grass  is  always  placed 
on  the  ground  under  the  shelter  of  grass  or  among  heather.  The  eggs 
are  greyisli-whitc,  thickly  spotted  with  various  shades  of  brown,  and  vary 
from  four  to  six  in  number. 

Resident  birds  breed  much  earlier  in  the  year  than  migrants,  and  the 

nes-t  exhibited  was  taken  at  a  time  when  the  latter  were  probably  still 

on  their  way  north.  „  .       i 

•^  Sussex,  April. 

Presented  by  Dr.  R.  Boird/er  Sliarpe. 

No.  26.  SKY-LARK.     (Aliuida  arveiisis.) 

This  well-known  songster  is  widely  distributed  throughout  the  British 
Islands,  and  is  es|}ecially  abundant  in  the  vicinity  of  cultivated  fields 
and  grass-land.  In  autumn  its  numbers  are  largely  iucrea.sed  by 
immense  flocks  which  arrive  on  our  eastern  coasts  from  the  Continent. 
Its  magnificent  and  long-sustained  song,  uttered  while  the  bird  is  soaring 
on  the  wing  till  almost  lost  to  sight,  must  be  familiar  to  all.  The  nest 
of  dry  grass  is  placed  on  the  ground  among  growing  crops  or  under  the 
shelter  of  a  tuft  of  grass,  and  from  three  to  five  dull  grey  eggs,  thickly 
spotted  with  brown,  are  laid  towards  the  end  of  April.  Two  broods  are 
usually  produced  in  a  season. 

Norfolk,  June. 
Presented  by  Lord  JVuIsinyham. 


146  lilUU   GALLERV. 

No.  27.  YELLOW  WAGTAIL.     (jNlotacilla  carapestris.) 

Hay's  Wagtail,  as  this  species  is  often  called,  is  a  regular  summer 
visitor  to  the  British  Islands;  it  arrives  early  in  April  and  departs  in 
September.  During  the  breeding-season  it  is  generally  distributed 
throughout  England  and  the  south  of  Scotland,  extending  as  far  north 
as  Perthshire,  Avliile  in  parts  of  Ireland  it  is  also  fairly  coninion.  The 
nest  of  moss  and  dry  grass,  lined  with  feathers,  hair,  and  tine  -oots,  is 
placed  ou  the  ground  and  well  concealed  among  rank  grass  and  herbage. 
From  four  to  six  greyish-white  eggs,  mottled  with  yellowish-brown,  arc 
laid  towards  the  end  of  May,  and  two  broods  arc  sometimes  reared  in 
a  season. 

Norfolk,  May. 

Presented  bij  Lord  IVtihinnham. 


No.  28.  PIED  WAGTAIL.     (Motacilla  lugubris.) 

Uuriug  the  breeding-season  this  is  a  common  and  generally  distributed 
species  throughout  the  British  Islands,  but  in  winter  many  birds  move 
southwards  and  a  partial  migration  takes  place  in  autumn  and  spring. 
Flies  and  insects  form  its  principal  food,  aud  are  caught  as  it  luns 
swiftly  and  gracefully  over  the  ground.  The  nesting-place  is  very  varied, 
but  a  cleft  in  a  bank  or  some  hole  in  a  wall  or  rotten  tree  are  the  sites 
generally  selected  by  the  bird.  The  nest,  made  of  moss,  grass  and 
roots,  is  lined  with  hair  and  feathers,  and  from  four  to  six  dull  grey 
eggs,  spotted  and  streaked  with  ash-brown,  are  laid  towards  the 
end  of  April.  Two  broods  are  frequently  reared  in  a  season.  The 
Cuckoo  often  places  her  eggs  in  the  nest  of  this  Wagtail.  The 
male  bird  in  the  group  exhibited  is  a  White  Wagtail  [M.  alba),  and 
affords    an    interesting  example  of    interbreeding   between    two    allied 

species. 

Norfolk,  June. 

Presented  Inj  Lord  Jl'dlsinr/tiam. 

No.  29.  ROCK-PIPIT.     (Autlius  obscuvus.) 

This  shorc-frcciuenting  si)eeies  is  common  along  the  coasts  of  the 
British  Islands,  frequenting  the  more  rocky  portions  during  the  breeding- 
season.  Its  food  consists  of  marine  insects,  flies,  small  shells,  aud 
Crustacea,  which  it  obtains  among  the  seaweed  at  low  water.  The 
nest,  made  of  dry  grasses,  is  placed  in  a  crevice  of  th'    rocks,  among  a 


NESTING-SERIES  01'  BRITISH    BIRDS.  147 

clump  of  sea-pink,  or  on  the  grassy  ledge  of  a  cliff.  The  eggs,  four  or 
five  in  number,  arc  usually  greenish-grey  mottled  Avith  olive-brown,  or 
occasionally  with  reddish.     Two  broods  are  reared  in  a  season. 

Sutherlandshire,  May. 

Presented  bij  Colonel  L.  H.  Irbtj  is;  Caiitdin  S.  G.  Reid. 

No.  30.  TREE-PIPIT,     (x\nthus  trivialis.) 

This  summer  visitor  arrives  in  the  south  of  England  early  in  April 
and  is  generally  distributed  througliout  the  more  wooded  portions  of 
Great  Britain  during  the  summer  months.  Its  reported  occurrence  in 
Ireland  is  doubtful.  The  male  is  generally  to  be  seen  perched  on  the 
topmost  branch  of  some  tree,  whence,  at  short  intervals,  he  rises  singing 
into  the  air,  nsually  returning  to  his  starting-point  as  the  song  ceases. 
The  food  consists  of  insects  and  small  seeds.  The  nest  is  placed  on  the 
ground  among  grass  and  herbage  and  formed  of  moss  and  dry  grass, 
lined  with  hair.  From  four  to  six  eggs  are  laid  and  vary  greatly  in 
colour  and  markings. 

1.  A  nest  ^^ith  eggs.     Perthshire,  June. 
Preifviited  bij  jr.  li.  ()i/i/rie-G)-ant,  Est/. 

2.  A  nest  with  y<niug.     Norfolk,  June. 

Presented  by  Lord  Walsinf/bani. 

No.  31.  RED-BACKED  SHRIKE.     (Lanius  collurio.) 

This  summer  visitor  arrives  in  the  south  of  England  early  in  May 
and  is  irregularly  distributed  throughout  the  wooded  districts  of 
England  and  Wales  during  the  summer  montiis.  A  few  pairs  occa- 
sionally breed  in  the  south  of  Scotland,  but  from  Ireland  the  species 
has  only  once  been  recorded  as  an  accideutal  straggle)-.  The  food 
consists  of  small  mammals,  birds,  lizards,  bees  and  other  insects,  and 
from  its  curious  liabit  of  impaling  its  prey  on  thorns,  this  species  and 
its  allies  are  commonly  known  as  "  Butcher-birds."  The  "larder"  of 
the  pair  exhibited  contained  a  young  Yellow  Hammer  and  a  number  of 
bees.  The  rather  large  nest  of  moss  and  roots,  lined  with  dry  grasses, 
hair,  and  wool,  is  placed  in  a  thorn-bush  or  thick  hedge  five  or  six  feet 
from  the  ground.  The  eggs  are  from  four  to  six  in  number  and  vary 
greatly  in  colour  and  markings. 

Suffolk  :  nest  with  eggs.  May;  nest  with  young,  Juue. 

Presented  by  Duncan  Parker,  Esq. 


1  JS  lilKU  OALLICllY. 


No,  32,  BLACKBIRD.     (Turdus  uienila.) 

A  resident  species,  commonly  distributed  througliout  the  Britisli 
Islands,  and  though  some  of  our  native  birds  migrate  southward  in  the 
autumn,  their  place  is  taken  Ijy  numbers  of  visitors  from  the  Continent. 
Fruit  of  all  kinds,  as  well  as  snails,  worms,  and  insects,  constitute  its 
food  and,  owing  to  its  partiality  for  the  former,  great  numbers  are 
annually  destroyed  in  gardens  and  orchards.  The  nest  of  moss,  etc., 
lined  with  dry  grass,  is  generally  placed  in  bushes  and  hedgerows,  and 
occasionally  on  the  ground.  From  four  to  six  eggs  are  laid  very  early 
in  the  year,  and  are  usually  greenish-blue  spotted  with  reddish-brown, 
but  are  sometimes  devoid  of  markings.  Several  broods  are  raised  in  a 
season,  the  young  of  the  first  brood  sometimes  assisting  their  parents 
in  feeding  the  young  of  the  second. 

Suffolk,  May. 

/'icscjitcd  hii  T.  Ilarcoitrt-Poirdi,  Esq: 


No.  33.  RING-OUZEL.     (Turdus  torquatus.) 

This  spring  visitor  arrives  in  the  British  Islands  in  April  and 
remains  till  September  or  October,  when  the  majority  migrate  south- 
wards, but,  in  mild  seasons,  individuals  have  been  observed  in  the  end 
of  December.  It  inhabits  the  wilder  and  more  elevated  districts, 
feeding  on  moorland  berries,  molluscs,  worms,  and  insects,  and  often 
visiting  gardens  in  the  vicinity  in  search  of  fruit.  Tlie  nest,  which 
resembles  that  of  the  Blackbird,  is  placed  in  lieather  or  on  ledges  of 
rock,  often  on  the  side  of  a  stream.  The  eggs  ai-e  four  or  sometimes 
five  in  number  and  resemble  those  of  the  Blackbird,  but  are  usually 
more  boldly  marked.     Two  broods  are  often  reared  in  a  season. 

Yorkshire,  .June. 

Presented  by  Lor<l  Jr(i/.sini//iam. 


No.  34.  SONG-THRUSH.     (Turdus  musicus.) 

The  "  Throstle "  or  "  Mavis,"  as  it  is  termed  in  the  north,  is  a 
common  resident  throughout  the  British  Islands,  and  though  a  consider- 
able number  of  our  native  birds  migrate  in  autumn,  their  place  is  taken 
by  visitors  from  the  C'ontinent.  The  food  consists  of  fruits,  snails, 
worms,  and  insects.  The  familiar  nest,  lined  with  mud,  is  generally 
placed  in  a  thick  bush  or   among  ivy.     The  eggs,  from  four  to  six 


NESTING-SliUlliS  or  lUtnisH   BIRDS.  149 

iu  uiuuber,  arc  kid  curly  in  the  season,  sometimes  in  March,  and  are 
greenish-hluc,  usually  blotched  with  black  or  purplish-brown,  but  are 
sometimes  unspotted.     Two  or  three  broods  are  reared  in  a  season. 

Suffolk,  May. 

Presented  by  T.  Harcuurt-Pouell,  Esq. 


No.  35.  MISTLE-THRUSH.     (Turdus  ^iscivorus.) 

A  resident  species,  oiten  called  the  '•'  Storm-cock,"  from  its  habit  of 
singing  during  tlie  roughest  weather,  and  common  throughout  the 
British  Islands,  where  it  breeds  very  early  in  the  year.  It  feeds  on  fruits 
of  various  kinds,  snails,  worms,  and  insects,  being  especially  partial  to 
the  berries  of  the  yew,  holly,  mountain-ash,  and  mistletoe,  etc.,  from 
the  last  of  which  its  trivial  name  is  derived.  The  somewhat  untidily 
finished  nest  is  generally  cousjncuously  placed  in  the  fork  of  a  tree  at 
some  distance  from  the  ground,  and  composed  of  bents  and  lichens, 
lined  with  dry  grass,  phiced  on  a  foundation  of  mud.  The  eggs,  four 
or  five  in  number,  are  sometimes  laid  as  early  as  February,  and  the 
ground-colour  is  greenish-  or  tawny-white,  blotched  with  reddish-brown 
and  lilac.     Two  broods  are  often  reared  in  a  season. 

Norfolk,  :\ray. 

Presented  hij  Lord  W'uts'inyliain. 

No.  36.  WHITE'S  THRUSH.     (Geociclila  varia.) 

A  native  of  Northern  Asia,  ranging  from  Central  Siberia  to  China 
and  Japan,  where  it  breeds.  It  is  an  accidental  visitor  to  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland,  as  well  as  to  the  north  of  Europe. 

Japan,  May. 

Presented  hij  Heutleij  Soble,  Esq. 

No.  37.  DIPPER  or  WATER-OUZEL. 

(C^iuclus  aquaticus.) 

This  resident  species  is  found  throughout  the  more  hilly  parts  of  tlie 
British  Islands  wherever  there  are  rapidly  flowing  streams.  It  swims 
and  dives  with  equal  facility,  and  may  sometimes  be  seen  walking  below 
the  water  on  the  bottom  of  a  pool,  searching  for  the  water-insects  on 
which  it  feeds.  The  nest,  an  oval  ball  of  moss,  leaves,  etc.,  with  an 
entrance  in  the  side,  is  always  placed  close  to  the  water's  edge,  in  some 


]50  mitl)  liALLKKY. 

hollow  of  the  bank  or  on  a  ledge  of  rock,  of teu  under  a  bridge  or  behind 
a  waterfall.  From  four  to  six  white  ejjgs  are  laid  very  early  iu  the 
year,  and  two  or  even  three  broods  are  reared  in  the  season.  The 
young  are  able  to  swim  as  soon  as  they  leave  the  nest,  and  fully  Hedged 
birds  have  beeu  observed  as  early  as  the  middle  of  Mareh. 

Yorkshire,  ^lay. 

Presented  bij  Lord  ll'a/xinfjhaiti. 


No.  38.  REDBREAST  or  ROBIN. 

(Erithacus  rubecula.) 

This  most  familiar  and  charaeteristic  resident  sjieeics  is   generally 

distributed  throughout  the  British  Islands,  where  legendary  associations 

and  its  fearless  uature  have  combined  to   make  it  a  general  favourite. 

The  nest,  made  of  dead   leaves   and   moss,  lined   with  hair   and  a  few 

feathers,  is  usually  placed  in  holes  iu  banks,  walls,  or  hollow  trees,  or 

amongst  ivy,  but  all  sorts  of  strange  situations  are  sometimes  selected. 

The  eggs,  from  five  to   seven  in  number,  are   generally  white,  spotted 

with  light  red,  but  are   sometimes  pure  white.      The   nesting-season 

commences  in  March,  and   two,  or  even   three,  broods  arc  reared   in 

the  year. 

Sussex,  April. 

Presriifed  by  J  I'.  R.  Oij'ilrie-Grant,  Esq. 


No.  39.  "WREN.     (Aiiorthuia  troglodytes.) 

This  familiar  resident  is  generally  distributed  throughout  the  British 
Islands,  where  its  numbers  are  largely  increased  by  autumnal  immi- 
gration. Traditional  associations  as  well  as  its  active  fearless  ways 
and  loud  cheerful  song,  uttered  throughout  the  year,  have  endeared  it 
to  all.  The  beautifully  eoustiucted  dome-shaped  nest,  with  an 
entrance  in  the  side,  is  made  of  leaves,  moss  and  grass,  and  is  sometimes 
lined  with  feathers.  It  is  placed  in  very  varied  situations,  generally 
among  dense  tangled  vegetation,  and  always  well  concealed,  the  outer 
materials  being  taken  from  the  surroundings.  The  nesting-season 
commences  very  early,  and  the  eggs,  from  six  to  nine  iu  number,  are 
white  spotted  with  red.     Two  broods  are  produced  in  the  season. 

Northamptonshire,  June. 

Presented  hi/  Cotuiiel  />.  II.  Irhij. 


NESTING-SERIES  OF   lilUXIsU    JilUUS.  151 


No.  40.  NIGHTINGALE.     (Aedoii  lusciuia.) 

From  tlic  beginning  of  April  till  September  this  noted  songster  is 
generally  distributed  over  the  greater  part  of  England,  but  is  rarer 
in  tlic  northern  and  western  counties  and  in  AVales.  Its  favourite 
resorts  are  small  Avoods  and  coppices  in  the  neiglibourhood  of  water 
and  damp  meadows,  and,  till  the  young  are  hatched  in  June,  its  well- 
known  song  may  be  heard  at  almost  any  hour  of  the  day  or  night. 
The  nest,  composed  of  dead  leaves,  is  generally  placed  on  or  near  the 
gi'ound  in  low  undergrowth.  From  four  to  six  eggs,  usually  of  an 
olive-brown  colour,  are  laid  about  the  middle  of  May. 

Leicestershire,  June. 

Presented  Iji/  Theudare  lV(dker,  Ks<j. 


No.  41.  WHINCHAT.     (Pratincola  rubetra.) 

A  summer  visitor,  generally  distributed  over  Great  Britain  from  the 
middle  of  April  till  the  beginning  of  October,  but  only  met  with  in  some 
of  the  southern  counties  of  Ireland.  In  the  beginning  of  May,  the 
somewhat  loosely  constructed  nest  of  dry  grass  and  moss,  lined  with 
roots  and  hair,  is  placed  in  a  liollow  in  the  ground,  well  concealed  by 
the  surrounding  heather,  grass,  or  coarse  herbage.  The  eggs,  usually 
six  in  number,  are  greenish-blue,  faintly  dotted  or  zoned  with  rust- 
colour.     Two  broods  are  sometimes  reared  in  the  season. 

Norfolk,  May. 

Presented  by  Lurd  Wnlsingham. 


No.  42,  STONECHAT.     (rratincola  rubicola.) 

Unlike  the  Whiuchat,  this  species  is  a  resident  in  (ireat  Britain  and 
Ireland,  its  numbers  being  largely  augmented  in  winter  by  visitors  from 
the  colder  parts  of  the  Continent.  Both  in  its  nesting-habits  and  in  the 
number  of  its  eggs,  it  closely  resembles  its  ally,  but  breeding  com- 
meuces  in  the  beginning  of  April,  and  the  eggs  are  somewhat  greener 
in  colour. 

Norfolk,  April. 

Presented  bij  hord  II  ulsinjltuni. 


152  lilUD   (iALLKRV. 

No.  43.  WHEATEAR.     (Saxicola  cenanthe.) 

This  widely  distrilnited  species  is  one  of  our  first  spring  visitors, 
usually  arriving  early  iu  March  and  leaving  in  the  beginning  of 
October.  It  is  generally,  though  locally,  distributed  throughout  the 
British  Islands  and  frequents  the  wilder  parts  of  the  country,  such  as 
open  downs,  heaths,  and  barren  hills.  The  loosely  made  nest  of  dry 
grass,  lined  with  hair  and  feathers,  is  placed  in  various  situations — rabbit- 
burrows,  crevices  of  stone-walls  or  peat-stacks,  heaps  of  stones,  and 
empty  meat-tins  being  commonly  utilized.  The  eggs,  which  vary  from 
five  to  seven  in  number,  arc  very  pale  blue,  sometimes  faintly  dotted 
v.ith  purple.     Two  broods  are  produced  in  a  season. 

Norfolk,  June. 

Presented  bij  Lord  IValsitigham. 

No.  44.  CHIFFCHAFF.     (Phylloscopus  rufus. 

The  earliest  of  the  spring  migrants  to  the  British  Isles,  where  its 
familiar  note,  from  whicli  its  name  is  derived,  is  often  heard  in  the 
beginning  of  March.  The  majority  leave  our  islands  in  September,  but 
a  few  sometimes  remain  in  the  south  of  England  throughout  the  year. 
The  dome-shaped  nest,  with  the  entrance  near  the  top,  is  usually  placed 
near  the  ground  among  coarse  undergrowth,  but  sometimes,  as  in  the 
present  instance,  the  site  chosen  is  in  bushes,  even  at  a  height  of  several 
feet.  The  eggs,  generally  six  in  number,  are  white  with  distinct  spots 
of  dark  purplish-brown.  The  nesting-season  commences  about  the  end 
of  April  and  two  broods  are  generally  reared  in  a  season. 

Oxfordshire,  May. 

Presented  hij  IV.  R.  0[/Uvie-Gruut ,  Esq. 

No.  45.  WOOD-WREN.     (Phylloscopus  sibilatrix.) 

One  of  the  latest  summer  visitors  to  the  British  Islands,  arriving 
in  the  south  of  England  about  the  middle  of  April.  Though  always 
a  very  local  species,  it  is  not  uncommon  in  wooded  districts,  preferring 
old  plantations  of  oak  or  beech,  where  it  may  generally  be  seen 
searching  for  insects  among  the  higher  branches.  The  domed  nest  of 
dry  grass  is  always  placed  on  the  ground  among  herbage  and  invariably 
lined  with  fine  grass  and  hair,  never  with  feathers.  From  five  to 
seven  white  eggs,  thickly  spotted  with  purplish-brown  and  grey,  are  laid 
about  the  middle  of  May. 

Sussex,  June. 

Presented  by  Dr.  R.  Bawdier  S/iurjje. 


NliSTlNC-SEKILS  OF  liKITISH   BIKDS.  153 

No.  46.  WILLOW-'WARBLER. 

(Phylloscopus  trochilus.) 

This  Warbler  makes  its  appearance  about  the  first  week  iu  April  and 
is  commou  throughout  the  British  Islands  till  the  end  of  Septeml)er  or 
even  later.  It  frequents  gardens  and  coppices,  feeding  principally  on 
small  insects,  especially  flies  and  aphides.  The  dome-shaped  nest, 
loosely  constructed  of  dry  grass  and  always  liued  with  feathers,  is  usually 
placed  among  herbage  on  the  ground.  From  six  to  eight  white  eggs, 
generally  spotted  with  light  red,  are  laid  in  the  beginning  of  May  and 
two  broods  are  often  reared  in  the  season. 

Norfolk,  June. 
Pre.seii/cd  />//  Lord  ll'ah'nn/ham. 

No.  47.  SAND-MARTIN.     (Cotile  riparia.) 

No  other  Passerine  bird  has  so  wide  a  rauge  as  the  Sand-Martin, 
which  occurs  throughout  the  greater  part  of  Europe,  Asia,  Africa,  and 
America,  extending  in  winter  as  far  south  as  Brazil.  It  is  one  of  our 
earliest  spring  visitors,  arriviug  towards  the  end  of  j\Iarch  and  depart- 
ing by  the  end  of  September.  It  is  generally,  though  locally,  distributed 
in  colonies  all  over  the  British  Islands,  wherever  the  steep  banks  of 
rivers  or  lakes,  sand-pits,  gravel-quarries,  or  railway-cuttings,  etc.,  ofl'er 
a  suitable  nesting-site.  In  such  situations  tunuels,  varying  from 
eighteen  iuches  to  six  feet  in  length  and  slanting  slightly  upward,  are 
bored  by  the  birds,  the  nest  of  dried  grass,  lined  with  feathers,  being 
placed  in  an  enlarged  chamber  at  the  end.  From  four  to  six  white  Cfffs 
are  laid  in  the  middle  of  May,  and  two  broods  are  generally  reared  iu  a 
season. 

The  model  exhibited  is  an  exact  representation  of  a  portion  of  the 
side  of  a  disused  sand-pit  occupied  by  a  colony  of  Sand- Martins,  and 
the  dimensions  of  each  tunnel  were  carefully  measured.  The  two  lateral 
tunnels  have  been  opened  to  show  their  structure. 

The  measurements  are  as  follows  : — 

Tunnel  no.  I,  2  ft.  long ;  nos.  2  &  3  run  into  a  common  passage,  2  ft. 
8  ins.  ;  nos.  4  &  6,  2  ft.  4  ins. ;  no.  5  was  abandoned,  a  stone  preventing 
the  birds  from  completing  it ;  no.  8,  2  ft.  7  ius.  ;  nos.  7  &  9,  3  ft.  3  ins., 
extended  beyond  the  back  of  the  model. 

Norfolk,  July. 

Prcscitii'd  hii  Lord  JFalsingliam. 

M 


154 


niKI)  CALl.EliY. 


No.  48.  SWALLOW,     (nirniido  iiistica.) 

Though  this  well-knowii  summer  visitor  lias  been  known  to  arrive  in 
tlie  south  of  England  as  early  as  the  21st  of  Mareh,  the  usual  date  of  its 
appearance  is  the  seeoud  week  in  April,  after  which  it  is  generally  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  British  Islands  till  September  and  October  or 
even  later.  The  open  nest  of  mud,  lined  with  dry  grass  and  feathers,  is 
usually  placed,  as  in  the  present  instance,  on  the  horizontal  surface  of  a 
joist,  which  supports  the  rafters  of  a  barn  or  outhouse.  The  eggs  are 
white,  spotted  with  lavender-grey  and  reddish-brown,  and  from  four  to 
six  in  number.  Two  broods  are  reared  in  the  season  ;  the  first,  for  which 
the  eggs  are  usually  laid  early  in  May,  is  able  to  fly  by  the  end  of  June, 
while  the  second  is  generally  fully  fledged  by  September.  The  young 
birds  which  are  placed  on  the  top  section  of  the  tiles  formed  part  of  the 
first  brood,  and  were  still  being  occasionally  fed  by  the  parents  when 
these  were  already  engaged  in  incubating  their  second  set  of  eggs. 

Sussex,  July. 

Prcsfiitt'il  hij  II  .  li.  Ot/i/vit'-Gra/i/.  Es(j. 


No.  49.  HOUSE-MARTIN.     (Chelidon  uibica.) 

This  summer  visitor  is  generally  distributed  throughout  the  British 
Islands,  usually  arriving  about  the  middle  of  April  and  departing  in 
September  and  October,  though  considerable  nvimbcrs  are  often  to  be 
seen  even  later  in  the  year.  The  mud  nest,  shaped  like  the  half  of  a  cup 
and  lined  with  fine  straw  and  feathers,  is  attached  to  some  wall  or  rock, 
beneath  eaves  or  other  projections,  and  is  entered  by  a  hole  in  the  lim. 
The  same  spot  is  occupied  j'car  after  year,  the  nest,  if  intact,  being 
merely  renovated.  The  pure  white  eggs  are  four  or  five  in  number, 
and  two,  or  even  three,  broods  arc  reared  in  a  season. 

Sussex,  July. 

Presented  by  II .  R.  Oyihie-Grant ,  Esq. 

Nos.  50  &  51.  DARTFORD  W^ARBLER. 

(Melizophiliis  iiudatus.) 

A  local  resident  in  the  south  of  England  and  more  rarely  met  with  in 
the  valley  of  the  Thames  and  in  some  of  the  ^lidland  counties.  It  does 
not  migrate,  and  in  severe  winters,  like  that  of  1880-81,  its  numbers  are 
liable  to  be  greatly  reduced.     The  favourite  haunts  are  dense  patches  of 


-\ESTI.\G-SE1UES  OF  I3RIT1SU    IIIUDS.  ]  55 

ruize  and  lieather,  where,  owing  to  itssliy  skulking  luibits,  it  may  easily 
be  overlooked.  The  nest,  made  of  goose-grass  and  furze-shoots  lined 
with  a  little  wool  and  moss,  is  placed  among  the  branches  of  the  thickest 
furze,  and  difficult  to  find.  Four  or  five  greenish-white  eggs  witholive- 
or  reddish-browu  markings  arc  laid  in  the  end  of  Ai)ril  or  the  beginning 
of  May.     Two  broods  arc  reared  in  the  season. 

Hampshire,  May. 

Prescnti',1  hi/  Colonel  L.  H.  Irhi/. 


No.  52.  WHITETHROAT.  (Sylvia  cinerea.) 
The  Nettle-creeper,  as  this  bird  is  also  called,  is  one  of  our 
commonest  summer  visitors,  and  generally  distributed  throughout  the 
British  Islands  from  the  middle  of  April  till  the  beginuing  of 
September.  Hedgerows,  thickets  overgrown  with  brambles,  and  nettles 
are  its  favourite  resorts.  The  nest,  which  is  lightly  constructed  of  fine 
grass-stems,  Avith  a  lining  of  bents  and  horse-hair,  is  almost  invariably 
})laced  low  down  in  straggling  brambles  oi-  nettles.  The  eggs, 
generally  four  or  five  in  number,  arc  greenish- white  or  stonc-colonr, 
blotched  with  violet-grev  and  lisht  brown. 


Norfolk,  May. 
Presented  bij  Lord  W'uhinyham. 


No.  53.  BLACKCAP.  (Sylvia  atricapilla.) 
This  fine  songster  is  a  summer  visitor  to  our  shores,  arriving  about 
the  middle  of  April  and  departing  southward  in  September,  though 
occasionally  a  few  birds  remain  m  the  British  Isles  through  the  winter. 
It  is  generally  distributed  over  England  and  Wales,  but  scarcer  towards 
the  north  of  Scotland  and  in  Ireland.  The  food  consists  of  insects, 
berries  of  various  kinds,  and  fruit,  especially  raspberries  and 
currants.  The  nest,  built  of  dry  grasses  and  lined  with  horse-hair,  is 
generally  placed  in  a  low  bush,  a  few  feet  from  the  ground.  Four'or 
five  eggs  are  laid  about  the  middle  of  j\Iay,  and  are  usually  of  a  light 
yellowish -brown  colour,  blotched  with  darker  brown  (like  those  of  the 
Garden- Warbler),  but  sometimes  both  ground-colour  and  markings  are 
of  a  reddish  hue.     Two  broods  are  reared  in  a  season. 

Sussex,  June. 
Presented  hy  Dr.  R.  BoinUer  Sharpe. 

.M  2 


156  BIRD  GALLERY. 

No.  54.  GARDEN-WARBLER.     (Sylvia  hoi-tensis.) 

A  summer  visitor,  arriving  in  the  end  of  April  or  the  beginning  of 
May  and  locally  distributed  over  the  British  Islands  till  about  the  end 
of  September.  Low  bushes  and  brambles  in  gardens  or  copses  are  the 
sites  usually  selected  for  the  nest,  which  is  rather  loosely  constructed  of 
grass-stems,  with  a  well-shaped  inner  cup  of  horse-hair.  The  eggs, 
four  or  five  in  number,  are  white,  marked  and  blotched  with  greenish- 
brown,  (lark  brown,  and  violet-grey,  and  resemble  one  variety  of  those 
laid  Ijy  the  Blackcap. 

Norfolk,  May. 

Presented  by  Lord  JValsin(//iatn. 


No.  55.  SEDGE-WARBLER.     (Acroccphalus  phragniitis.) 

One  of  our  commonest  Warblers,  and  generally  distributed  over  the 
British  Islands  from  the  latter  half  of  April  till  the  end  of  September, 
when  tile  majority  go  south.  The  nest,  which  is  never  suspended  like 
that  of  the  llecd-Warbler,  is  generally  placed  in  a  low  bush  or,  among 
rank  herbage,  by  the  side  of  some  stream  or  ditch.  Five  or  six  eggs  of 
a  yellowish  clay-colour,  clouded  or  mottled  with  brownish  and  ofteu 
streaked  with  black  hair-lines,  are  laid  in  May. 

Norfolk,  July. 

Presented  bij  Lord  Wulsiiii/hani. 


Nos.  56  &  57.  REED-W^ARBLER. 

(Acroceplialus  streperus.) 

This  summer  visitor  arrives  in  England  towards  the  end  of  April  and 
remains  till  September,  bvit  it  is  rare  to  the  north  of  Yorkshire,  is  un- 
known ill  Scotland,  and  not  yet  proved  to  occur  in  Ireland.  The  nest, 
a  compactly  built  structure  of  fine  dry  grass,  lined  with  wool,  horse- 
hair, and  flowering  grasses,  is  generally  suspended  on  reeds  or  on  the 
slender  branches  of  willows  and  alders,  which  are  woven  into  the  sides. 
It  is  situated  from  three  to  twelve  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  water 
and  sometimes  at  a  greater  elevation.  Four  or  five  greenish-white  eggs, 
clouded  and  Ijlotclied  with  dark  olive  and  ash,  are  laid  towards  the  end  of 
May.     The  Cuckoo  frequently  places  its  egg  in  the  nest  of  this  species. 

Sussex,  June. 

Presented  by  Dr.  li.  Bawdier  Sharpe. 


NKSTINO-SEKIES  OF  BRITISH   RIRDS.  157 

No.  58.  GRASSHOPPER- WARBLER.     (Locustella  najvia.) 

This  Warbler,  also  known  as  the  "  Reeler,"  owes  its  trivial  names  to 
a  rapid  trilling  song,  which  somewhat  resembles  the  chirping  o£  the 
Grasshopper.  It  arrives  from  the  south  about  the  middle  of  April, 
departing  in  September,  and  between  those  montlis  is  found  in  suitable 
localities  throughout  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  in  gradually 
diminishing  numbers  towards  the  north  of  Scotland.  Feus,  commons, 
thick  hedge-rows,  and  small  copses  are  its  favourite  haunts,  but  owing 
to  its  skulking  habits  it  is  rarely  seen,  and  thus  often  supposed  to  be 
rarer  than  is  really  the  case.  The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground,  and 
well  hidden  among  thick  heritage.  It  is  approached  by  one  or  more 
mouse-like  runs,  often  of  considerable  length,  and  along  these  the  bird, 
when  alarmed,  creeps  back  to  her  eggs.  These  are  from  five  to  seven 
in  number,  pale  pinkish-white,  thickly  speckled  and  zoned  with  darker 
reddish-brown. 

Hampshire,  June. 

Presented  hij  Dr.  J.  E.  Kcho  is;  Lieut.  F.  Hodge,  R.N. 


No.  59.  TREE-CREEPER.     (Certhia  tamiliaris.) 

This  resident  species  is  common,  and  generally  distributed  throughout 
the  Bi'itish  Islands.  Its  long  curved  claws  and  stiff-pointed  tail- 
feathers  enable  it  to  ascend  the  trunks  and  branches  of  trees  with  ease 
and  rapidity,  as  it  searches  for  the  spiders  and  other  insects  on  Avhich  it 
principally  feeds.  The  nest,  made  of  i-oots,  grass,  and  moss,  and  lined 
with  wool,  feathers,  etc.,  is  usually  concealed  in  a  crevice  under  partially 
detached  bark,  or  in  a  cleft  in  the  bole  of  a  tree  ;  but  sometimes  it  is 
placed  under  the  eaves  of  a  shed  or  dwelling,  or  in  some  other  suitable 
situation.  From  six  to  nine  white  eggs,  spotted  with  light  red  and 
pale  lavender,  are  laid  in  the  cud  of  April.  Two  broods  are  reared  in 
the  season. 

1.  Norfolk,  June. 

Presented  bij  Lord  WidslngUam. 

2.  Hampshire,  May. 

Presented  by  Sir  Eda-ard  Shelley,  Bart. 


No.  60.  NUTHATCH.     (Sitta  csesia.) 

A  common  resident  in  the  southern  and  central  districts  of  England 
and  in  parts  of  Wales,  but  rare  towards  the  north,  and  only  met  with 


158  '  JUKI)  GALLERV. 

as  a  straggler  in  Scotland ;  in  Ireland  it  is  unknown.  Its  food 
consists  of  insects,  beech-mast,  acorns,  and  various  kinds  of  hard  seeds, 
and  it  is  extremely  partial  to  liazcl-nuts,  which  it  wedges  in  some 
crevice  and  breaks  open  by  repeated  blows  of  its  strong  bill.  Hence 
its  names  of  Nuthatch  {i.  e.  Nuthack)  or  Nutjobbcr.  A  uest  of  dry 
leaves  and  bark  is  formed  in  a  hole  in  a  tree  or  in  some  other  cavity, 
the  aperture  being  plastered  up  with  clay,  so  as  to  leave  only  a  narrow 
entrance.  I'loiu  five  to  seven  white  eggs,  blotched  with  reddish-brown, 
arc  laid  aljout  the  end  of  April.  ,      .     ■.         .  /       ; 

Norfolk,  May.      '         \'\:'. 

Presented  bi/  Lord  TJ'alsiiiff/iani.      ,:>  .    _    \ 

No.  61.  SPOTTED  FLYCATCHER.     (Muscicapa  grisola.) 

This  familiar  visitor  usually  appears  in  the  south  of  England  about 
the  first  week  in  May,  and  is  generally  distributed  throughout  the 
British  Islands  during  the  summer  mouths.  Its  food  consists  prin- 
cipally of  insects,  which  it  darts  at  and  captures  on  the  wing  ;  but,  in 
autumn,  it  sometimes  feeds  on  berries.  The  uest,  made  of  moss, 
lichen  and  strips  of  bark,  and  lined  with  wool,  hair  and  feathers,  is  usually 
placed  among  creepers  or  trelliswork,  or  in  a  hole  in  a  wall  or  a  tree, 
often  on  a  beam  of  some  shed,  but  many  other  sites  are  selected.  The 
eggs  vary  in  number  from  four  to  six,  and  are  pale  greenish-wliite, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  light  red  and  lavender.  Two  broods  are 
often  raised  in  a  season. 

This  is  one  of  the  few  species  which  nest  in  our  London  parks  and 
gardens. 

Norfolk,  June.  -. 

Presented  bij  Lord  IValsinyham. 


No.  62.  PIED  FLYCATCHER.     (Muscicapa  atricapilla.) 

This  Flycatcher  is  a  regular  visitor  to  Great  Britain,  arriving  towards 
the  end  of  April  and  returning  southwai'd  in  autumn.  During  the 
breeding-season  it  is  very  locally  distributed,  being  principally  met 
with  in  Wales  and  the  western  and  northern  counties  of  England,  and, 
more  rarely,  iu  Scotland.  In  Ireland  it  only  occurs  as  an  accidental 
straggler  during  the  migration.  It  feeds  chiefly  on  insects,  which  are 
sometimes  taken  on  the  wing,  but  more  often  on  the  ground.  The 
nest,  made  of  dry  grass  and  roots  and  lined  with  hair,  is  placed  in  a 
deep   hole  in  a  tree  or  sometimes  in  a  wall.     The  eggs,  from  six  to 


NESTINCi-SERlES   OF   KKITISH    UIKUS. 


15',) 


nine  in  mimbcr,  arc  pale  blue,  with  occasionally  a  few  small  spots  of 

light  red. 

Cumberland,  Jnue. 

Presented  by  the  Ker.  H.  A.  Macpherson. 

No.  63.  GOLDEN-CRESTED  WREN.     (Ivegulus  cristatus.) 

This  resident  species  is  the  smallest  of  our  British  birds,  and  geue- 
rally  distributed  throughout  the  islands  wherever  suitable  plantations 
of  larch  and  fir  are  to  be  found.  During  the  periods  of  migration, 
immense  flocks  sometimes  arrive  on  the  east  coast  and  spread  across 
(ireat  Britain  to  Ireland.  The  food  consists  of  insects,  for  which  the 
bird  often  searches  in  company  with  flocks  of  Tits  and  Creepers.  The 
lieautifnlly  constructed  nest  of  moss  and  lichens,  felted  together  with 
wool  and  spiders'  webs  and  lined  with  feathers,  is  generally  placed 
beneath  the  extremity  of  a  branch  of  some  evergreen  tree,  such  as  a  fir, 
yew,  or  cedar.  The  eggs  vary  from  five  to  ten  in  number,  and  are  pale 
buff,  minntcly  freckled  with  yellowish-broAvn. 

1.  Nest  and  eggs  in  a  Scotch  fir-tree.     Suffolk,  May. 

Presented  by  T.  Hareourt-Pouell,  Esq. 

2.  Parent  birds  with  nest  and  eggs  in  a  spruce  fir-tree. 

Norfolk,  ]\[ay. 
Presented  by  Lord  Walslnyltum. 

No.  64.  CRESTED  TITMOUSE.     (Parus  cristatus.) 

Though  common  on  the  Continent,  the  Crested  Titmouse  is  ex- 
tremely local  in  Great  Britain,  and  only  met  with  as  a  resident  in 
the  old  pine-forests  of  Strathspey,  in  the  north-east  of  Scotland.  Like 
its  allies,  it  feeds  on  insects  and  their  larvae,  as  well  as  on  seeds  and 
berries.  The  nest,  composed  of  moss,  deer's  hair,  and  wool,  is  usually 
placed  in  a  hole  bored  in  the  decayed  stump  of  a  tree,  a  few  feet  above 
the  ground.  The  eggs,  from  five  to  eight  in  number,  are  white,  l)oldly 
spotted  or  zoned  with  light  red.     Two  broods  arc  frequently  produced 

in  a  season. 

Morayshire,  May. 

Presented  by  Colonel  L.  H.  Irhy. 

No.  65.  COMMON  or  GREY  PARTRIDGE. 

(Perdix  perdix.) 

This  species  is  widely  distributed  throughout  Great  Britain,  being 
especially   abundant    in  the   south-eastern  couuties  of  England.     TTie 


160  lUltl)  (lALLEltY. 

food  consists  of  green  leaves,  seeds,  grain,  and  many  species  of  insects, 
small  snails,  etc.  The  nest,  a  slightly  lined  depression  in  the  ground, 
is  well  concealed,  and  generally  contains  from  twelve  to  twenty  eggs, 
which  are  laid  in  the  end  of  April  or  the  heginning  of  May.  As  many 
as  thirty-three  eggs  have  been  found  in  the  same  nest.  Incubation 
lasts  from  twenty-one  to  twenty-three  days.  The  young  are  carefully 
tended  by  both  parents. 

Cromarty,  June. 

Presented  by  G.  A.  St.  Qmntin  i^  TV.  R.  Ogilvie-Gmnt,  Esqr.^. 


No.  66.  BLACK  GROUSE.     (Lyruius  tetrix.) 

This  species  was  formerly  found  in  many  suitable  localities  through- 
out Great  Britain,  but  in  England  it  is  now  comparatively  scarce  or  local, 
except  in  the  south-western  counties.  In  Ireland  it  was  never  indi- 
genous. Its  favourite  haunts  are  young  plantations  of  fir,  larch,  and 
birch  situated  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  moorland,  but  it  is 
also  frequently  to  be  met  with  on  the  open  moor,  far  from  any  cover. 
Berries  and  seeds  of  various  kinds,  and  the  buds  of  trees  and  plants,  as 
well  as  grain,  arc  favourite  articles  of  food.  The  male,  commonly  known 
as  the  Black-cock,  is  polygamous  and  takes  no  share  in  the  duties  of 
hatching  the  eggs  and  caring  for  the  young.  The  female,  or  Grey-hen, 
makes  a  slight  nest  in  a  hollow  in  the  ground,  concealed  by  heather  or 
dead  bracken,  and  lays  from  six  to  ten  eggs  of  a  yellowish-white  colour, 
spotted  with  orange-brown. 

Perthshire,  June. 

Presented  by  V.  S.  H.  Drummond-Moraij,  Esq. 

No.  67.  CAPERCAILLIE.     (Tetrao  urogallus.) 

Though  originally  indigenous  in  the  British  Islands,  this  species,  also 
known  as  the  Wood-Grouse,  became  extinct  by  the  middle  of  the 
eighteenth  centurj'.  It  was  re-introduced  from  Sweden  into  Perthshire 
in  18.37,  and  is  now  abundant  in  the  pine-  and  lai'ch-forests  of  the  central 
districts  of  Scotland,  where  it  appeai-s  to  be  increasing  and  extending 
its  range  to  other  parts.  Tender  shoots  of  the  Scotch  fir,  varied  with 
berries  and  grain  in  summer,  form  its  principal  food,  and  the  flesh, 
except  in  the  case  of  young  birds,  is  strongly  tlavoured  with  turpentine 
and  little  esteemed  as  food.  The  male  takes  no  part  in  the  duties  of 
incubation  or  of  rearing  the  young.  The  nest  is  a  hollow  scraped  in 
the  ground  near  the   trunk  of  a  tree  or  under  a  bush,  and  the  eggs. 


NESTINf:-SERIi:s  OF   liKITISH   BIHPS.  161 

from  six   to  twelve   in  munbcr,   arc   ))ale  reddisli-ycllow,  spotted  with 
brown. 

The  phiiits  growing  near  tliis  nest  (in  a  somewliat  damp  situation) 
are  the  Spotted  Oi'chis,  Tormentil  {Potentilla  turmentilla),  Whortle- 
berry {Vacrhihnn  mi/rfU/i/s) ,  and  the  Marsh-Marigold. 

Pertlisliire,  June. 

Presented  bij  ('.  S.  H.  Dnniimond-Moruy,  Esq. 

No.  68.  PTARMIGAN.     (Lagopus  mutiis.) 

In  Great  Britain  this  species  is  now  confined  to  the  higher  mountains 
of  Scotland,  where  it  chooses  by  preference  the  more  desolate  tops, 
where  lichen-covered  fragments  of  rock  lie  scattered  about  between 
low  stunted  i)lants.  The  food  consists  of  the  green  tops  of  the  ling 
and  various  kinds  of  berries.  The  nest,  a  mere  hollow  scraped  in  the 
ground,  contains  from  eight  to  ten  eggs,  much  like  those  laid  by  the 
Red  Grouse,  but  with  the  ground-colour  usually  of  a  lighter  tint.  In 
autumn  both  sexes  assume  a  grey  plumage  on  the  upper  parts  of  the 
body,  and  in  winter  they  become  white. 

Tiie  plant  in  flower  is  the  Alpine  Azalea  {Lotselcitria  procumbens). 

Perthshire,  May. 
Presented  by  His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Athole. 

No.  69.  RED  GROUSE.     (Lagopus  scoticus.) 

The  Red  Grouse  is  peculiar  to  the  British  Islands,  where  it  is  the 
insular  representative  of  the  Willow-Grouse  (L.  layopiis)  of  the  northern 
portions  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America ;  but,  unlike  the  latter  species, 
it  does  not  assume  a  white  plumage  in  winter.  With  the  exception  of 
the  southern  counties  of  England,  it  is  generally  distributed  over  the 
moors,  but  is  most  abundant  in  the  north  of  England  and  in  Scotland. 
Its  food  consists  principally  of  the  tips  of  the  ling  and  heath,  as  well  as 
berries  and  grain.  From  eight  to  ten  eggs  are  laid  in  a  shallow  depies- 
sion  in  the  ground  among  the  heather,  but  as  many  as  fifteen  are 
occasionally  found  ;  their  ground-colour  is  whitish-buff,  heavily  mottled 
and  blotched  with  rich  rcddish-bi-own.  Incubation  lasts  about  twenty- 
four  days,  and  the  young,  when  hatched,  are  carefully  watched  over  by 
both  parents. 

Inverness-shire,  May. 

Presented  by  Lord  Lovat. 


162 


rniU)   GALLl'.RY. 


No.  70.  BEARDED  TITMOUSE.     (Paiuirus  biarmicus.) 

This  resident  sfjccies,  commonly  known  as  the  "  Reed-Pheasant,"  is 
now  almost  confined  to  the  Norfolk  Broads,  the  draining  of  the  reedy 
fens  and  meres  having  destroyed  many  of  its  former  l)recding-grounds 
in  the  eastern  and  southern  counties  of  England.  The  seeds  of  the 
reed  constitute  its  principal  food,  but,  in  summer,  numbers  of  small 
shell-bearing  mollusea  are  also  eaten.  The  nest,  which  is  placed  near 
the  water  among  sedge  and  weeds,  is  composed  of  the  dry  leaves  of 
aquatic  plants  and  lined  with  the  flower  of  the  reed.  The  eggs,  from 
five  to  seven  in  number,  arc  white  with  short  wavy  lines  and  markings 
of  purplish-brown.     Two  broods  are  produced  in  a  season. 

Norfolk,  June. 

Presented  by  R.  IV.  Chase,  Esq. 

No.  71.  BLUE  TITMOUSE.     (Parus  cannleus.) 

This  common  resident  is  generally  distributed  throughout  the  greater 
part  of  the  British  Islands,  its  numbers  being  largely  augmented  in 
autumn  by  the  arrival  of  flocks  from  the  Continent.  Insects  and  their 
larva3  form  its  principal  food  ;  and  though  this  diet  is  supplemented  in 
autumn  by  fruit,  the  small  amount  of  damage  done  in  gardens  is  com- 
jiensated  for  by  the  wholesale  destruction  of  insect-pests.  The  nest,  of 
moss,  hair  and  feathers,  is  generally  placed  in  a  hole  in  a  tree  or  wall, 
but  other  curious  sites  arc  sometimes  selected.  From  six  to  nine 
white  eggs,  spotted  with  light  red,  are  laid  in  April. 

Pembrokeshire,  June. 

Presented  by  li.  11'.  Mirelwuse,  Esq. 

No.  72.  MARSH-TITMOUSE.     (Parus  puluotris.) 

This  resident  species  is  common  throughout  the  greater  part  of 
Great  Britain,  but  becomes  scarce  towards  the  north  of  Scotland. 
In  Ireland  it  has  been  recorded  from  some  of  the  eastern  counties. 
Insects  form  its  principal  food,  but  berries,  seeds,  and  beech-mast  are 
also  eaten.  The  nest,  made  of  moss,  wool  and  hair,  with  a  lining 
of  down,  is  usually  placed  in  a  hole  in  some  decayed  stump  of  a  tree, 
a  willow  or  alder  being  frequently  selected  ;  but,  occasionally,  a  hole 
in  a  bank  is  utilized.  From  five  to  eight  white  eggs,  spotted  with  light 
red,  are  laid  from  the  end  of  April  onwards. 

Sufl'olk,  May. 

Presented  bij  Duncan  Parlcer,  Esq. 


Ni:sriN(,--i;Kii:s  or  iskhisii  iuuds. 


163 


No.  73.  LONG-TAILED  TITMOUSE.     (.Eiiitlialus  roseus.) 

Our  resident  form  of  the  Loug-tailcd  Tit  or  "  15ottle-Tit  "  is  generally 
distributed  throughout  the  British  Islands  and  ranges  thence  aeross 
France  and  West  Germany  to  North  Italy  and  the  northern  part  of  the 
Balkan  Peninsula.  Like  its  allies,  the  food  consists  of  insects  and 
their  larVcT.  The  oval  nest,  formed  of  moss  and  wood  felted  together 
with  spiders"  webs  and  encrusted  with  lichens,  is  thickly  lined  with 
feathers  and  has  the  entrance  in  the  upper  part  of  the  side.  It  is 
usually  placed  in  a  bush,  such  as  a  holly,  whitethorn,  or  furze,  but, 
occasionally,  in  the  lichen-covered  branches  of  a  tree.  From  seven 
to  ten  or  more  eggs  are  laid,  after  about  the  middle  of  April  ;  they  are 
white,  with  indistinct  red  spots. 

SuHulk,  :\Iay. 

Presented  Inj  T.  Hitreunrt-Powell ,  Evq. 


No.  74.  GREAT  TITMOUSE.     (Panis  major.) 

Our  largest  species  of  Tit,  commonly  called  the  "  Ox-eye,"  is  generally 
distribiitcd  over  the  British  Islands  throughout  the  year.  It  feeds 
chiefly  on  insects  as  well  as  on  seeds,  nuts,  and  buds,  but  as  the  latter 
often  contain  noxious  grubs,  little  real  damage  is  done  to  the  trees. 
The  rather  flat  nest  of  moss,  hair,  feathers,  etc.,  is  usually  placed  in 
a  hole  in  a  tree  or  wall,  but  almost  any  convenient  situation  may  be 
selected.  The  eggs  arc  white  with  light  red  spots,  and  vary  from 
six  to  twelve  in  number. 

Norfolk,  June. 

I'reseiilcd  hij  Lmil  II  iihiii(j]iaiit. 


No.  75.  GREAT  TITMOUSE.     (Parus  major.) 

The  post-box  exhibited  in  this  Case  stood  in  the  road  at  the  village 
of  Rowfarit,  Sussex,  and  letters,  etc.,  M-ere  posted  in  it  daily  and  cleared 
by  the  door.  In  the  year  1888  a  pair  of  "  Ox-eyes  "  began  to  build 
their  nest  in  it,  but  one  of  the  birds  was  killed  before  the  nest  had  been 
finished. 

In  1889  a  pair  completed  the  nest,  laid  seven  eggs,  and  began  to 
sit ;  but,  one  day,  when  an  unusual  number  of  post-cards  nearly  filled 


164  It]  Ki)  (;Ai,i,i;Ky. 

the  box,  tlie  birds  deserted,  and  tlic  nest  and  eggs  were  subsequently 
removed  [Nest  No.  1]. 

In  1890  a  pair  built  a  new  nest,  laid  seven  eggs,  and  reared  a  brood 
of  five  young.  Although  letters  were  posted  daily,  and  often  I'ound 
lying  on  the  back  of  the  sitting  bii'd,  it  never  left  the  nest  when  the 
box  was  cleared.  This  nest  [No.  '2]  is  exhibited  in  its  original  position 
in  tlie  post-box,  with  one  of  the  iiuhatehcd  eggs. 

When  the  box  was  removed  to  the  British  Museum,  in  the  autumn 
of  1890,  an  exactly  similar  one  was  put  up  in  its  place.  The  birds  took 
possession  of  this  in  the  following  spring,  and,  with  the  exception  of 
1894,  have  continued  to  build  there  every  year.  The  other  nest  ex- 
hibited [No.  3]  was  commenced  on  April  '^Gth,  189(5,  and  the  brood  of 
twelve  young  birds  reared  in  it  flew  on  June  10th. 

The  birds  entered  and  left  the  nest  by  the  slit  for  the  letters,  which 
were  posted  daily  in  the  box. 

Presented  by  Mr.  Locker-Lam jisoii. 

No.  76.  GREEN  WOODPECKER.     (Gecinus  viiidis.) 

The  largest  of  our  British  Woodpeckers,  generally  known  as  the 
"  Yaffle,"  is  met  with  in  most  of  the  wooded  districts  of  England  and 
Wales,  but  is  almost  unknown  in  Scotland  and  Ireland.  Though 
much  of  its  insect-food  is  captured  on  the  tree-stems,  it  may  frequently 
be  seen  feeding  on  the  ground,  and  is  especially  partial  to  ants  and 
their  pupa;.  Early  in  April  the  birds  chisel  out  a  circular  hole  in  the 
trunk  or  branch  of  a  tree,  which  is  generally  decayed,  and  excavate  a 
nesting- chamber  in  the  heart  of  the  stem.  The  eggs  are  glossy  white 
and  from  five  to  seven  in  number. 

Norfolk,  June. 

Presented  hij  Lord  Tl'al.s/nff/iajn. 


No.  77.  LESSER  SPOTTED  WOODPECKER. 

(Deudrocopus  minor.) 

Owing  to  its  small  size  and  partiality  for  tall  trees,  such  as  elms 
and  poplars,  this  species  frequently  escapes  observation,  but  is  fairly 
common  iu  many  parts  of  the  southern  half  of  England ;  it  is  rare  in 
the  north,  and  very  uncommon  in  Scotland  and  Ireland. 

The  nest-hole  is  often  made  in  the  highest  branches  of  tall  trees, 
but  sometimes  at  very  moderate  elevations  or  in  pollard  willows  and 
hornbeams,  as  in  the  present  instance.     Six  or  seven  white  eggs  are  laid 


NESTIXfi-SERIES   or    lilUTISH    lUKDS.  165 

about  the  luiddle  of  May.     The  food  consists  almost  entirely  of  tiiubei- 
haunting  insects. 

Hertfordshire,  June. 

Presenled  by  A.  M.  Blake,  Esq.,  C.H. 

No.  78.  GREATER  SPOTTED  V/OODPECKER. 

(Deiidrocopus  major.) 

Though  nowhere  abundant,  this  species  is  generally  distributed  over 
the  wooded  portions  of  England  and  Wales,  as  well  as  the  south-eastern 
part  of  Scotland.  Over  the  rest  of  Scotland  it  is  not  infrequently  met  with 
during  the  autumn  migration,  l)ut  very  few  examples  have  been  recorded 
from  Ireland.  It  frequents  the  highest  branches  of  trees,  feeding  on 
insects  and  their  larvte,  as  well  as  on  berries  and  nuts,  and,  owing  to 
its  retiring  nature,  frequently  escapes  observation.  In  April,  a  circular 
hole  is  hewn  by  the  birds  in  the  trunk  or  branch  of  some  tree,  a  dead 
one  being  usually  selected,  and,  within  the  stem,  a  chamber  is  excavated 
for  the  reception  of  the  eggs.  These  are  white,  from  five  to  seven  in 
number,  and  deposited  on  the  bare  wood  about  the  middle  of  May. 

Norfolk,  June. 

Presented  hij  Lord  ll^alsiuyhani. 

No.  79.  WRYNECK.     (lynx  torqiiilla.) 

This  spring  visitor,  also  known  as  the  "  Cuckoo's-mate  "'  or  "Cuckoo's- 
leader,"  arrives  in  England  towards  the  end  of  IMarch  or  beginning 
of  April,  but  is  rarely  met  with  in  Scotland,  except  during  the  autumn 
migration,  and  only  known  in  Ireland  as  an  accidental  straggler. 
It  frequents  orchards  and  open  parks,  rather  than  forest-districts, 
and  feeds  on  insects,  especially  on  ants  and  their  larvie.  It  breeds 
in  hollow  trees,  an  apple-tree  being  frequently  chosen,  and  about 
the  middle  of  May  makes  use  of  any  convenient  hole  to  deposit  its 
eggs,  which  are  white  and  from  six  to  ten  in  number.  Its  common 
name  is  derived  from  its  singular  habit  of  twisting  and  stretching  its 
neck. 

Norfolk,  July. 

Presented  bij  Lord  IValsinyham. 

No.  80.  WOOD-PIGEON.      (Columba  palumbus.) 

A  resident  in  the  British  Islands,  where  it  is  generally  distributed  in 
wooded  districts  and  commonly  known  as  the  Ring-Dove,  Cushat,  or 


166  iiii>i)  (iAij.i.in . 

Queest.  Of  recent  years  its  numbers  liavc  greatly  increased  and  every 
park  and  most  of  the  larger  gardens  in  London  are  now  frequented  by 
tliis  species.  In  winter  iuiniense  flights  arrive  on  the  east  coast  from 
the  Continent  and  augment  the  hordes  of  these  voracious  birds,  wliich 
cause  serious  loss  to  agriculturists.  The  nest,  a  slightly  built  jdatform 
of  twigs,  is  placed  on  the  branches  of  almost  any  kind  of  tree  or  bush, 
and  frequently  in  thick  ivy  on  clifls  and  old  walls.  Two  or  three  broods 
are  reared  annually,  the  first  pair  of  white  eggs  being  generally  laid  in 
February  or  j\Iarch,  and  in  favourable  seasons  nests  containing  eggs  or 
young  biids  may  be  found  during  every  month  of  the  year. 

Norfolk,  .1  line. 

Presented  hu  Lord  li'als'ui<jhum. 


No.  81.  TURTLE-DOVE.      (Tiutuv  tintur.) 

A  summer  visitor  to  the  British  Islands,  generally  arriving  about 
tlie  beginning  of  May  and  departing  in  September.  Its  numbers  seem 
to  be  yearly  increasing  and  it  is  now  found  in  many  localities  in  which 
it  was  formerly  scarce  or  entirely  absent.  The  flat,  slightly  constructed 
nest  of  twigs  is  placed  in  a  thick  bush  or  on  the  branch  of  a  tree,  usually 
at  no  great  height  from  the  ground,  and  the  two  white  eggs  are  laid 
towards  the  end  of  May. 

Xorlolk,  .inly. 

Presented  liij  Lorit  ir<d.',iiii/tiain. 

No.  82.  ROCK-DOVE.      (Columba  livia.) 

Common  along  the  rocky  coasts  in  the  north  of  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land where  caves  and  deep  fissures  e.xist  and  afford  suitable  resorts.  The 
nest  is  generally  placed,  as  in  the  present  in.stance,  on  the  ledge  of  some 
deep  cavern,  and  composed  of  dry  sca-wecd,  grass,  or  other  materials. 
Two  white  eggs  are  laid  at  each  sitting  and  several  broods  are  reared 
during  the  year. 

From  this  species  all  the  domestic  varieties  of  dove-cot  pigeons  have 
been  derived,  and  it  is  by  no  means  unusual  to  find  tame  pigeons  in  the 
caves  consorting  ^itli  their  wild  allies. 

Caves  of  Cromarty,  May. 

Presented  by  Captain  S.  G.  Ne/d,  (J,  A.  St.  Quintin  &y 
IV.  li.  Of/ifrie-Grant,  Esqrs. 


NESTIN'G-SEKIES   OF    IJKITISH    lilKDS.  167 

No.  83.  STOCK-DOVE.     (Colunil)a  oonas.) 

This  species  has  greatly  increased  in  iinmbcrs  of  kite  years,  extending 
its  range  northward  and  is  now  plentiful  in  many  parts  of  the  north  of 
Scotland.  The  nesting-site  varies  greatly  in  different  localities.  In 
districts  where  timber  exists,  pollards  and  holes  in  trees  are  generally 
used,  but  in  treeless  areas  the  two  white  eggs  are  deposited  in  rabbit- 
burrows  or  under  the  shelter  of  dense  furze,  while  ivy  on  cliffs  or  old 
walls,  old  nests  of  other  birds,  and  squirrels'  dreys  are  also  made  use  of. 
Several  broods  are  raised  during  the  year. 

^lorayshire,  May. 

Presented  bij  Jl'.  N.  Oi/i/rie-Gruiit  ^y  IJ.  S.  Re'uh  Esqrs. 


No.  84.  GREAT  CRESTED  GREBE.      (Podicipes  cristatus.) 

This  species  nests  on  many  of  the  more  extensive  aud  reedy  sheets  of 
water  throughout  the  British  Islands,  and  is  more  or  less  resident  in 
England  and  Wales.  In  w'intcr  it  is  to  be  found  on  many  parts  of  the 
British  coasts.  Its  food  consists  of  small  fish  and  Crustacea,  and  some- 
times of  tadpoles  and  frogs.  The  nest  is  usually  a  floating  mass  of  wet 
aquatic  plants.  The  four  or  five  eggs  are  white  when  fresh,  but  they 
soon  become  stained  w  ith  yellowish-brown  from  contact  with  the  de- 
composing vegetable  matter  on  which  they  are  laid.  After  the  autumn 
moult  the  crest  aud  tippet  disappear,  the  top  of  the  head  and  back  of 
the  neck  become  brown,  and  the  throat  and  fore-neck  silvery  white. 

Lt'ieestershire,  ^Maj'. 

Presented  hij  Theodore  Jlui/ker,  l\.<q. 


No.  85.  LITTLE  GREBE  or  DABCHICK. 

(Podicipes  tluviatilis.) 

A  common  resident  throughout  the  British  Islands  wherever  reedy 
streams,  lakes,  and  ponds  fringed  with  reeds  are  to  be  found.  Small 
tish,  insects,  and  vegetable  matter  form  its  principal  food,  but  in 
winter  marine  animals  are  also  eaten.  The  rather  large  nest  of  reeds 
aud  decaying  weeds  is  anchored  to  some  aquatic  plant  or  shrub. 
The  eggs,  from  four  to  six  in  number,  are  creamy  white  when  fresh, 
but  soon  become  stained  ;  they  are  almost  always  covered  over  with 
weeds   by  the  sitting   bird   before   it   leaves  the  nest.     In   winter  the 


168  lilKll  CALLEltV. 

chestnut  ou  the  sides  of  the  head  and  ucck  is  replaced  by  rufous  wliite, 
the  crown  is  browu,  aud  the  underparts  of  the  body  much  paler. 

Norfolk,  May. 

Prcxcnti'il  hij  Lord  Walsinglunn. 

No.  86.  CUCKOO.    (Cuculus  canorus.) 

Tliis  well-known  visitor  to  the  British  Islands  is  generally  distributed 
over  Europe  and  Northern  Asia  during  the  summer  months,  arriving 
in  the  south  of  England  about  the  first  week  in  Aj)ril  aud  remaining  till 
August  or  sometimes  later.  The  food  consists  of  insects  and  their 
larvae,  especially  hairy  caterpillars.  The  ])arasitic  habits  of  this  bird  are 
well  known ;  it  builds  no  nest,  and  the  female  Cuckoo  lays  her  egg  on 
the  ground,  conveying  it  in  her  bill  to  the  nest  of  the  foster-parent.  The 
Hedge-Sparrow,  Wagtail,  Meadow-Pipit,  Sedgc-War1)ler,  and  Reed- 
Warbler  are  the  hosts  generally  selected,  but  the  nests  of  many  other 
species  are  less  frequently  made  use  of.  Soon  after  the  young  bird  is 
hatched  it  ejects  the  other  nestlings,  and  when  two  young  cuckoos 
occupy  the  same  nest  the  struggle  for  existence  is  sometimes  severe. 
From  four  to  eight  eggs  are  laid  in  a  season  and  the  period  of  incuba- 
tion lasts  for  twelve  or  thirteen  days.  The  eggs  laid  by  different 
individuals  vary  greatly  in  colour,  sometimes  resembling  those  of  the 
foster-parent ;  pale  blue  eggs  are  occasionally  found  like  those  of  the 
Hedge-Sparrow  and  Redstart,  but  are  not  invariably  placed  in  nests  of 
these  birds. 

Norfolk,  June. 

Presented  by  Lord  IVulsbiylium. 

No.  87.  SWIFT.     (C!ypselus  apus.) 

This  common  summer  visitor  to  the  British  Islands  arrives  towards 
the  end  of  April  and  remains  till  the  end  of  August,  when  the  majority 
depart  southward  to  their  winter-quarters,  though  individuals  some- 
times remain  till  much  later  in  the  year.  The  food  consists  entirely  of 
insects,  taken  on  the  wing  in  the  course  of  the  bird's  extraordinarily 
rapid  flight.  The  nest,  a  slight  strnctui-e  of  straws,  cobwebs  and  a  few 
feathers,  is  placed  under  the  caves  of  buildings,  in  crevices  of  cliffs,  or 
even  in  hollow  trees.  Two  oval  white  eggs  are  laid  in  the  end  of  May 
or  early  in  June  and  incubation  lasts  for  eighteen  days.  As  a  rule,  only 
one  brood  is  produced  in  a  season. 

Forfar.     Eggs,  6th  June  :  young,  2nd  and  20th  July. 

Presented  by  Dr.  Thomas  Deivar. 


N'ESTIN'fi-sKRIES  f)F  imiTIsH    RIRPS.  IT)!) 

No.  88.  NIGHTJAR  or  GOATSUCKER. 

(C'apriimilgus  europfeus.) 

Tliis  regular  sniiimcr  migrant  is  one  of  tiie  latest  to  visit  the  British 
Islands,  seldom  arriving  before  the  middle  of  ^lay,  and  departing  in 
Scpteml)er,  though  individuals  sometimes  linger  in  the  south  of  England 
till  November.  Its  i:'avourite  haunts  are  woodland  glades,  eommons  and 
heaths,  where  heather,  ferns  aiul  gorse  flourish ;  and  its  food  consists  of 
insects,  most  of  which  are  captured  on  the  wing,  at  twilight  or  during 
the  night.  No  Jicst  is  made  and,  towards  tiie  cud  of  May,  two 
beantifuily  marbled  oval  eggs  are  deposited  on  the  ground.  Incubation 
lasts  for  eighteen  days,  and  tlic  young  when  hatched  are  covered  with 
tliick  grcvisli  down. 

N(n-folk,  May. 

Prfsi  iilcd  //I/  Lord  II  (ihii>i//i(ii/i. 


No.  89.  BLACK-THROATED  DIVER. 

(Colymbus  arcticiis.) 

Tolerably  common  during  the  breeding-season  about  the  larger  lochs 
of  the  north  and  west  of  Scotland,  and  occasionally  found  in  the  winter 
off  the  coasts  of  England  and  Ireland.  In  winter  the  plumage  is 
entirely  different  from  that  of  spring,  for  after  tiie  rutumn  moult  tiie 
upper  parts  become  ashy  brown  and  the  under  parts  hliite.  The  flight 
is  very  strong  and  rapid,  and  the  movements  both  on  and  below  the 
surface  of  the  water  are  active  and  varied,  though  slow  and  awkward  on 
land.  The  food  consists  principally  of  fish,  which  are  captured  by  diving 
and  subsequently  brought  to  the  surface  and  swallowed.  Tlie  nest,  a 
hollow  in  the  ground  with  little  or  no  lining,  is  generally  situated  close 
to  the  water's  edge,  either  on  a  grass-grown  island  or  (as  in  the  present 
instance)  on  the  mainland.  Two  large  olive-brown  eggs,  spotted  with 
black,  are  laid  in  May. 

Sutherlandshire,  June. 

Prfsentc'fl  by  Colonel  L.  H.  Iihij  cV  ('apta'n)  >'.  G.  Heiil. 


No.  90,  RED-THROATED  DIVER. 

(Colymbus  septentiionalis.) 

Though  adults  with  the  white  throat  characteristic  of  winter  plumage 
are  commonly  met  with  on  all  our  coasts  from  autumn  to  spring,  the 
"  Rain-Goose/'  as  it  is  often  called,  is  only  known  to  breed,  as  regards  tne 


1 70  '  111  i!i)  i:  \r.r.i;uv, 

|])'iti.'>li  Islands,  ill  till'  iMiiili  dl'  Jrclaiid  anil  in  paits  of  Si'otlan<l  and  lip 
adjacent  islands.  The  plumagp  of  tlic  sexes  is  similar,  lint  the  female 
is  scmiewliat  smaller  tlian  tlic  male.  "\\'lien  nestiiiii-,  tliis  s))ecies;,  unlilie 
the  Blaek-thi'oated  l~)ivei'.  ])i'efers  the  small  lochs  and  jjools,  and  is 
seldom  i'oiuid  on  the  larg-ci'  lochs,  exee[)t  when  in  search  of  fish,  on  which 
it  chiefly  feeds.  Little  or  no  ucst  is  made,  and  the  two  large  olive-brown 
eggs,  spotted  \iith  dark  brown,  arc  placed  on  the  hare  and  often  wet 
gronnd  close  to  the  water's  edge.  The  male  shares  the  duties  of 
incubation. 

Siitlierlaiidshire,  .M  ay. 

I'ri-xciilril  III/  a.  .1.  ,S7.  Qiiiii/in  i>;  11  .  R.  ()(/ilrir-Urinil.  lisqrs. 

No.  91,  WATER-RAIL,     (Ralliis  aquaticus.) 

In  the  marshy  districts  of  the  JJritish  Islands  this  species  may  be 
regarded  as  a  resident,  for  ibough  some  of  our  native  birds  move  south- 
ward in  autumn,  their  place  is  taken  by  otbers  from  the  Continent. 
Worms,  molluscs,  and  aquatic  [ilants  form  its  principal  food.  The 
nest,  made  of  flat  leaves  of  reeds  and  sedges,  is  well  concealed  among 
rushes  or  coarse  herbage.  The  eggs,  from  seven  to  eleven  in  number, 
arc  ])ale  creamy-white  spotted  with  reddish-brown  and  ash-grey.  The 
young,  wlicn  first  hatched,  are  covered  with  black  down.  Two  broods 
are  produced  iu  a  season. 

Co.  Waterford,  April. 
Prcsfiifei/  bij  R,  ./.  Ussher,  Esq. 

No,  92,  LAND-RAIL  or  CORN-CRAKE.     (Ciex  cie.x.) 

This  well-known  visitor  arrives  in  the  south  of  England  about  the 
end  of  April  and,  as  a  rule,  takes  its  departure  before  the  end  of 
September.  During  tbe  summer  mouths  it  is  widely  distributed 
througbout  the  British  Islands,  wherever  grass-land  and  cultivated 
fields  are  to  be  found.  Owing  to  its  retiring  habits  it  is  seldom  seen  ; 
but  the  harsh  call-note  of  the  male  must  be  familiar  to  most  people. 
Slugs,  insects  aud  worms,  as  well  as  seeds,  etc.,  form  the  principal  food. 
The  nest,  composed  of  pieces  of  dry  plants,  is  placed  on  the  ground 
among  grass,  clover,  or  standing  crops.  From  seven  to  ten  buff- 
coloured  eggs,  spotted  with  pale  lavender  and  reddish-brown,  are  laid 
about  the  end  of  May. 

The  plant  with  the  yellow  flower  is  the  Meadow  Vetehling  (Lat/ii/rus 

pratensis). 

Pt'rthshiie,  June. 

Presented  by  U '.  R.  OyUvie-Grant,  Esq. 


NTSTINfJ-l^KRll's  <)l'   l!Hlri-<n    I!IIU)s 


No.  93.   COOT.     (iMilica  ;itr;i.) 

This  rcsiik'iit  species  is  f'tiuiHl  lu  iiuist  ol'  tiie  l;il<es.  jioiuls  and 
sluggish  streams  tliroiigliout  the  Uritisli  Islands,  but,  in  severe 
wcatlier,  it  iiiigrates  to  tlic  sea-eoast.  Its  loud  eoiisists  of  aquatic 
iuseets,  worms,  i)ioli\isc<.  and  vegetable  substances.  The  nest,  a  deep 
compact  mass  of  dry  I'ccds  and  sedges,  is  generally  placed  above 
siiallow  water,  anujng  tlags  and  tall  I'ushcs.  The  eggs,  from  seven  to 
ten  in  number,  arc  l)uff-colour,  with  small  spots  of  blackish-brown. 

Hampshire.  .May. 

Presrn/r(/  liij  Sir  liilimril  S/ir//ri/,  Hurt. 


No.  94.  MOORHEN.     (( ialliimla cliloniiius.) 

This  species,  also  known  as  tiie  Waterhcn,  is  a  common  resident 
throughout  the  Britisli  Islands,  wherever  tiie  reedy  margins  of  lakes, 
ponds,  or  running  water  afford  suitable  shelter.  It  swims  well,  and 
feeds  chiefly  on  slugs,  worms,  and  insects,  but  will  also  kill  and  devour 
the  young  of  other  waterfowl.  The  nest,  a  compactly  bnilt  structure 
of  dry  Hags  and  sedges,  is  usually  situated  in  shallow  water  among  reeds 
and  other  atjuatic  plants,  but  it  is  occasionally  placed  on  branches  of 
overhanging  trees  and  at  a  considerable  lieight  above  the  water.  The 
eggs,  from  seven  to  nine  in  numljcr,  arc  pale  buff,  spotted  with  reddish- 
brown  and  dull  lilac. 

Leiccstershiri'.  May. 

I'rcseittcil  hij  Thfodari'  JValker,  Es<j. 


No.  95.  STORM-PETREL.     (Frocellaria  |)('lat;ica.) 

This  bird,  (jften  known  as  "Mother  Carey's  Chicken,"  is  strictly 
pelagic  in  its  habits,  seldom  coming  to  shore  except  during  the  breeding- 
season.  It  is  generally  distributed  throughout  British  waters,  and 
frequents  low  islets  and  other  suitable  situations,  common  off'  the  coasts 
of  Scotland  and  Ireland.  During  severe  storms  it  is  sometimes  driven 
inlandj  and  is  occasionally  found  far  from  the  coast.  The  food  con- 
sists of  small  fish,  crustaceans,  molluscs,  and  fatty  matter  floating  on 
the  surface  of  the  ocean.  A  single  white  egg,  faintly  dotted  with  rusty 
brown,  is  laid  at  the  end  of  a  burrow  or  beneath  stones,  often  on  the 
bare  soil,  but  sometimes  on  a  slight  nest  of  dry  grass-stems.  Though 
eggs  are  sometimes  found  as  early  as    the  end  of  May  and  as  late  as 

n2 


1  72  liiiin  riAi.i  KRv. 

Se])t('ml)er,  incubation   usually  eoinnieiices  about   tlie  uiiddle  of  June, 
;ni(l  lasts  for  tliivty-fivr  days. 

Isle  of  Skyc,  July. 

Pre.wnfff/  hij  ilii-  Rcr.  H.  A.  Mncpherson. 

No.  96.  LEACH'S  FORK-TAILED  PETREL. 

(Oceaiiodi-diiia  loucorrlioa.) 

This  species,  restricted  to  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  is  met  with 
off  the  coasts  of  Great  ISritain,  occasionally  in  numbers,  during  the 
autumn  and  winter  mouths.  It  is  known  to  breed  on  the  St.  Kilda 
Group,  on  North  Rona  and  other  islands  of  the  Outer  Hebrides,  as 
well  as  on  the  Blaskets,  off  the  soutli-west  coast  of  Ireland.  The  food 
consists  of  small  molluscs,  crustaceans,  and  greasy  matter  found  floating 
on  the  sea.  The  nest  is  made  at  the  end  of  a  burrow  or  in  a  hole  of 
some  kind  ;  and  a  single  white  egg,  zoned  and  freckled  with  minute 
lusty  dots,  is  laid  in  June.     Both  birds  take  part  in  the  incubation. 

North  Rona,  Outer  Hebrides,  1st  July. 

Pretttnlcd  bij  Htn/h  G.  Barchiij,  Esq. 

No.  97.  PUFFIN.    (Fratercula  arctica.) 

Vast  numbers  of  the  "  Sea-Parrot "  or  "  Coulter-neb,"  as  it  is  often 
called,  breed  in  the  cliflfs  and  grassy  slopes  on  many  parts  of  the  coast- 
line of  the  British  Islands.  In  the  end  of  August,  when  the  young 
are  ready  to  follow  their  parents  into  the  water,  they  leave  the  coast 
for  the  open  sea,  where  they  pass  the  winter,  returning  to  their 
breeding-places  in  March  or  April.  The  single  dull  white  egg,  faintly 
spotted  with  brown  or  lilac,  is  laid  in  a  crevice  of  a  rock  or  in  a 
burrow,  either  dug  out  by  the  bird  or  made  by  a  rabbit.  The  young 
are  fed  on  small  fish,  which  are  carried  transversely  in  the  bill  of  the 
parent,  and  as  many  as  eight  are  sometimes  brought  at  a  time. 

Island  of  Grassholme,  Pembrokeshire,  July. 

Presented  by  Colonel  P.  JF.  L'Eshange. 

No.  98.  MANX  SHEARWATER.     (Fufiinus  angloruiii.) 

This  species  is  widely  distributed  over  British  waters  throughout  the 
year,  and  breeds  on  many  of  the  unfrequented  islands  round  our 
coasts,  with    the  exception   of  those   on   the  eastern  shores   of  Great 


NESTlNG-SElllEs  or  JJKlTlsil   untus.  J  7;} 

Britain,  wiiere  uo  breediug-statiou  lias  as  vet  been  found.  It  skims 
tlic  surface  of  the  waves  with  rapid  fliglit  ia  search  of  surlace-fish  and 
other  fioatuig  food,  and  is  also  an  expert  diver.  The  siii-k-  white  eo-o- 
IS  deposited  in  a  burrow  ou  a  few  blades  of  drv  grass.  The  nestling- 
remains  in  its  home  until  long  after  it  is  fully  Hedged  an<l,  becoming 
enoimously  tat,  is  greatly  esteemed  by  some  as  an  article  of  food. 

Isles  of  Scilly,  June. 
Pri'seti/ed  hy  Edward  Bidirell,  Esq. 


No.  99.  KINGFISHER.     (Alccdo  is|)ida.) 
This  resident   species  is  common  along  the   banks   of  streams    and 
lakes  and  on  many  parts  of  the  coast  of  I'ngland,  but  is  less  uuinerous 
in  Scotland  audi  reland.     It  feeds  on  small  fish,  crustaceans,  and  insects 
the  first-named  being  secured  by  a  sudden  plunge  from  some  convenient 
perch  above  the  water.     The  nesting-place,  which  is  a  hole  in  the  bank 
two  or  three  feet  in  length  and   terminating  in  a  chamber,  is  generally 
excavated  by  the  birds.     The  entrance  is  usually  situated   above  th'e 
reach  of  floods,  but   occasionally  a   site  is  selected   at  some   distance 
from  water.     No  nest  is  constructed,  but  in  old  nesting-chambers  the 
floor  is  covered  with   bones  and  scales  of  Ksh,  which  have  been  cast  up 
by  the  young  of  previous  broods.     The  eggs  vary  in  number  from  six 
to   nine   and    are  rounded,   white,   and   highly  glossy.       In  the  group 
exhibited   part   of   the   bank    has   been   removed   to  show  the  internal 
construction  of  the  burrow  and  four  of  the  young  eighteen  days  old, 
which  are  still   being  fed  by  the  parent-bird.     The   two  young   birds 
perched  outside  the  entrance  also  formed  pait  of  the  brood,  and  were 
respectively  six  and  seven  weeks  old,  and  able  t..  care  for  themselves. 

Suffolk,  :May. 
Prenented  hij  T.  Huicourt-Pouell,  Exq. 

No.  lOO.  HOOPOE.  (Upupa  epops.) 
This  handsome  bird,  common  in  many  parts  of  Europe,  Asia,  and 
North  Africa,  is  a  spring  visitor  to  the  southern  and  eastern  parts  of 
England,  where,  if  unmolested,  it  would  breed  regularly.  It  is,  how- 
ever, subjected  to  so  much  persecution  on  its  arrival,"  that  very  few 
pairs  survive  and  are  allowed  to  rear  their  young  in  peace.  The  slight 
nest  is  placed  in  a  hole  in  some  decayed  tree,  frequently  a  willow  or 
ash,  and  from  four  to  seven  pale  yellowish  eggs  are  laid  on 'the  decaying 


\7l  lUKi)  (;Ar.i.i;nv. 

mould.  The  groui)  cxliibitcd  is  remarkable  lor  the  great  disparity  in 
the  size  of  the  youiiy  birds^  and  lor  Ihe  unusually  cleanly  eouditiou  ot 
the  nest. 

I'oklisa,  Hungary,  .luue. 

P resent cil  hij  V.  (i.  Daiiford,  Usq. 

No.  lOl.  DUNLIN.      (Feluiuu  ali.iiiii) 

Throughout  the  year  this  Saudpijier  is  euiiiniou  on  the  shores  and 
tidal  rivers  of  the  ]5i'itish  Islands  and  may  be  met  with  iu  large  floeks 
on  the  nuul-Hats  and  sand-banks  une(jvered  Ijy  the  tide.  In  suninier 
most  of  the  adult  birds  move  inland  to  the  more  extensive  moorlands 
and  marshy  districts  to  breed,  and  are  tlum  fairly  plentiful  in  Scotland 
and  the  northern  counties  of  England^  but  rare  in  the  souths  and  local 
in  Wales  and  Ireland.  The  nest,  a  mere  depression  in  the  turf,  slightly 
lined  with  dead  grass,  is  situated  among  shoi't  heather  or  in  a  tussock 
of  coarse  grass.  Tiie  four  eggs  are  usually  of  a  pale  green  colour 
blotciied  and  spotted  with  grey  and  reddish-brown. 

Cunibcrland,  .1  une. 
I'reseii/ei/  ////  llie  Her.  H.  A.  Mceji/ier.yfjii. 


No.  102.  GOLDEN  PLOVER.      (( 'haradrius  pluvialis.) 

Thouah  numbers  of  these  biril.s  are  I'csident  in  the  13ritis!i  Islands 
throughout  the  year,  the  species  is  most  plentiful  during  the  periods  of 
migration  and  in  winter,  when  vast  flocks  frequent  the  pastures  and 
coasts,  in  search  of  the  insects,  worms,  molluscs,  etc.,  on  which  they 
feed.  In  March  the  birds,  which  ijreed  in  our  islands,  retire  to  the 
HKJors  and  prepare  a  slight  hollow  in  the  ground,  usually  among  heather 
or  short  grass,  for  their  eggs.  These  are  always  four  in  number,  aud 
are  yellowish- butf.  handsomely  blotched  and  sj)otted  with  purplish- 
brown  aud  brownish-black. 

After  the  autumn  moult  the  black  uuderparts  are  I'cplaecd  by  white. 

Yorkshire,  May. 
Presented  III!  Lard  ll'(i/siii(//iai/i. 

No.  103.  LAPWING  or  PEEWIT.      (N'aiielUis  vaiiellus.) 

A  common  resident  throughout  the  British  Islands,  its  numbers 
being  largely  augmented  in  autumn  by  the  arrival  of  large  floeks  from 


NKs'l'ING-SERlES  i)K   Ultlllsll    HIHI)-;.  175 

the  Coutiueut.  Damp  pastures,  baie  tallows,  and  luoorlauus  are  its 
favourite  Iiauuts,  where  insects,  worms,  and  slugs  are  plentiful.  The 
nest,  a  slight  depression  in  the  soil,  sometimes  i^cratehed  out  by  the 
birds  themselves,  is  lined  with  a  few  bits  of  dead  rush  or  dry  grass. 
The  eggs,  usually  four  in  number,  arc  subject  to  variation  in  eolonr, 
but  are  commonly  brownish- but!',  blotched  and  s[)otted  with  blackish- 
brown. 

In  March,  A\)n[  and  May  vast  numbers  of  eggs  are  collected  and 
are  greatly  appreciated  for  the  table. 

Yorkshire,  May. 

Presented  bij  Lord  H^ulsiiKjham. 

No.  104.  RED-NECKED  PHALAROPE. 

(Phalaropus  hj  perboreiis). 

This  elegant  little  Wader  is  a  circumpolar  species  breeding  in  the 
north  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America,  and  migrating  southward  in  the 
autumn.  A  few  pairs  still  uest  regularly  in  the  Shcthmds,  Orkneys, 
and  Outer  Hebrides,  and  a  small  breeding-colony  has  recently  been 
discovered  in  Ireland.  Its  nest,  a  small  deep  hollow  in  a  tuft  of  grass, 
is  usually  situated  in  the  vicinity  of  water.  The  four  eggs  are  yellowish- 
bulf  or  pale  olive,  blotched  and  spotted  with  blackish-brown,  reddish- 
brown,  and  grey. 

The  female  is  both  larger  and  more  brightly  coloured  than  the  male, 
and  the  latter  usually  undertakes  the  duties  of  incubation.  After  the 
autumn  moult  the  cheeks,  ueck,  and  uuderparts  become  white. 

Hebrides,  June. 

Presented  by  Colunel  L.  H.  Irby  ^y  L'aptuin  S.  G.  Reid. 

No.  105.  AVOCET.     (Recurvirostra  avocetta.) 

Formerly  a  regular  summer  visitor  to  England,  breeding  in  con- 
siderable numbers  ou  the  shores  of  the  eastern  counties  from  the 
Humber  to  Sussex.  Reclamation  of  fen-land  and  constant  persecution 
have  gradually  caused  it  to  forsake  our  coast  and  it  probably  ceased 
to  uest  in  18.34.  Though  small  parties  still  arrive  in  spring,  and 
occasionally  in  autumn,  they  are  never  allowed  to  breed.  The  eggs 
are  laid  in  May,  in  a  slight  depression  among  scanty  herbage,  sand, 
or  dry  mud. 

Europe,  May. 

Presented  liy  J.  Stares  i)'  E.   V.  Eitrle,  li.tijrs. 


176  UlllU  (iALLEKY. 

I 

No.  106.  WOODCOCK.     (Scolopax  lusticula.) 

Tliougli  generally  known  as  a  migrant,  wliicli  arrives  in  October  and 
returns  northwards  iu  IMarcli,  many  AVoodcocks  remain  to  breed 
throughout  the  British  Islands.  The  I'ood  eousists  chiefly  of  insects 
tiud  -worms,  esi)ecially  the  latter,  of  which  enormous  numbers  are  eaten. 
A  rounded  depression  in  the  ground,  lined  with  withered  gi'ass  and 
dead  leaves,  serves  as  a  nest  and  is  situated  in  some  sheltered  spot. 
The  four  eggs  are  ercamy-bufl',  blotched  and  spotted  with  grey  and 
I'eddish-brown. 

The  Woodcock  lias  often  been  observed  on  the  wing  carrying  its 
young;  the  nestling  is  held  close  to  the  breast  with  the  aid  of  the  legs 
and  bill. 

The  four  young  birds,  which  were  on  the  [)oint  of  hatciiing,  were 
extracted  from  the  eggs  exhibited  in  the  Case. 

luverness-sliiie,  J une. 

Presented  by  Luril  Local. 


No.  107.  BLACK-TAILED  GODWIT,     ( Liuiosu  limosa.) 

This  species  used  to  breed  in  the  fens  of  Lincolnshire  and  Cambridge- 
shire, and  eggs  have  been  taken  in  Norfolk  as  recently  as  1817.  It 
has  now  ceased  to  nest  in  Enghind,  and  is  only  oijserved  on  the  spring 
and  autumn  migrations  and  occasionally  in  winter.  The  nest,  a  slightly- 
lined  hollow  amongst  coarse  herbage,  contains  four  eggs  of  a  pale  olive- 
green  colour,  spotted  with  brown. 

Europe,  June. 
Presented  Iiy  J.  Stares  c\-  E.  V.  Earle,  Esijrs. 


No.  108.  SNIPE.     (Galliiiago  galliiiago.) 

A  common  species  in  all  marshy  localities  thronghout  the  British 
Islands,  espeeudly  in  Scotland  and  Ireland,  but  most  numerous  during 
the  colder  months  of  the  year,  when  immense  "flights"  arrive  from  the 
Continent  and  often  remain  till  Marcli.  In  fi'osty  w  eather  it  frequently 
shifts  its  quarters  in  searcii  of  open  ground,  where  insects,  worms,  and 
molluscs  may  still  be  obtained.  The  nest,  a  mere  depression  in  tlic 
ground,  slightly  lined  with  dead  grass,  is  generally  situated  amongst 
rushes,   grass,   or  heather.       The   eggs,    usually   four  in   number,    are 


NESTING-SEKIES  Ol'   liKITISII    HIHDS.  177 

comuiouly  j^rceiiisli-butf,  obliquely  spotted  and  hlotched^  especially  at 
the  larger  end,  with  dark  brown,  pale  brown,  and  grey. 

Norfolk,  May. 

Presented  Itij  Lord  ]Vuls'inijhuin. 

No.  109.  OYSTER-CATCHER.     (Htematopus  ostmlegus.) 

The  "  Sea-Pie,"  as  this  species  is  often  called,  is  a  common  resident 
on  the  shores  of  the  British  Islands,  but  most  numerous  during 
the  colder  months  of  the  year,  w  hen  its  numbers  are  augmented  by 
migrants  from  the  Continent.  Its  food  consists  of  crustaceans,  as  well 
as  mussels,  whelks  and  limpets,  which  are  extracted  from  their  shells  by 
the  bird's  poweiful  bill.  It  breeds  on  the  sea-shore  above  high-water 
mark  or  on  the  stony  beds  of  rivers  :  no  real  riest  is  made,  but  a  slight 
hollow  is  usually  scraped  in  the  sand  or  shingle  and  often  lined  with 
fragments  of  shells.  The  eggs,  generally  three  in  number,  arc  pale 
brownish-buff,  spotted  and  streaked  with  dark  browu  and  ash-grey. 

Scilly  Islands,  June. 

Presented  hij  Ednuird  liidn'ell,  l\sq. 

No.  no.  KNOT.     (Triiigji  caimtus.) 

A  regular  visitor  to  the  JSritish  coasts,  arii\iiii;'  IVom  the  north  in 
large  Hocks  in  autumn  and  remaining  till  May,  when  all  except  the 
non-breeding  birds  return  to  North  Greenland,  Arctic  America,  and 
North-western  Siberia.  ()u  .July  80th,  187G,  Colonel  FeildeUj  when 
naturalist  to  H.M.S.  'Alert,'  found  this  species  breeding  near  a  small 
lake  on  GrinncU  Land  in  hit.  82^  '■i'd'  N.,  and  obtained  the  old  and 
young  birds  exhibited  in  the  Case. 

The  four  pear-shaped  eggs  have  the  ground-colour  pale  green  or 
yellowisb-white  blotched  and  spotted  with  dark  bi'owu  and  violet-grey 
[cf.  'Ibis,'  1904,  p.  233). 

lu  w  iuter  the  plumage  of  the  upper-parts  is  ash-grey  and  the  under- 
parts  are  white  spotted  with  grey. 

Presented  hj  Colonel  H.  //'.  Feildeii,  C.B. 

No.  111.  CURLEW.     (N"uiueuius  aiquatii.) 

This  species  is  common  on  the  British  coasts  throughout  the  year ; 
but  in  spriug  the  adult  birdt^  retire  inland  to  the  moors  and  uplands 


178  niKD   CALLEHV. 

tor  uestiiij^-pui'poses.  In  summer  the  food  consists  of  berries,  woi'ms, 
molluscs,  etc..  but  in  Avinter  crustaceans  and  other  marine  animals  are 
eaten.  Tlie  nest,  a  slight  liollinv  in  the  ground,  lined  with  bits  of  dry 
herbage,  is  usually  situated  among  heather,  bog-myrtle,  or  grass.  The 
four  large  pear-shaped  eggs  vary  in  tint  from  olive-green  to  brownish- 
butt',  and  are  spotted  and  blotched  with  brown  and  purplish-grey. 

Inverness-shire,  A[)ril. 

Presenttd  hij  Lord  Lovol. 

No.  112.  KENTISH  PLOVER.     (yEgialitis  alexandrina.) 

A  summer  visitor  to  the  south  of  England,  arriving  in  April  and 
usually  migrating  southward  in  September.  It  breeds  in  some  numbers 
on  the  shoj'es  of  Kent  and  Sussex,  occasionally  wanders  westward  to 
Devon  and  Cornwall,  and  has  beau  met  with  on  the  east  coast  as  far 
north  as  Yorkshire.  The  eggs,  usually  three  in  number,  are  deposited 
in  a  hollow  scratched  in  the  sand  or  among  fine  shingle  :  they  are  buff, 
spotted  and  streaked  with  blackish-brown  and  grey. 

Both  the  eggs  and  young  birds  are  difficult  to  distinguish  from  their 
surroundings.  The  two  nests  exhibited  were  from  the  same  locality, 
but  were  placed  at  some  distance  apart. 

Kent :  eggs.  May  ;  young  birds,  June. 

Presented  by  Colonel  L.  H.  Irbij  tV  Cu/u/ie/  IVilloiKjhbij  Verner. 


No.  113.  RINGED  PLOVER,     (^gialitis  hiaticola.) 

The  larger  race  of  the  Kinged  Plover,  sometimes  called  the  Ringed 
Dotterel,  is  more  or  less  resident  throughout  the  British  Islands,  and 
inhabits  the  flat  sandy  portions  of  our  coasts,  as  well  as  the  shingly 
banks  of  the  larger  rivers  and  inland  lakes.  A  smaller  race  visits  our 
shores  for  a  brief  period  in  spring  and,  possible',  a  few  remaiu  to  breed 
in  Sussex  and  Kent.  T'he  four  eggs  are  laid  iu  a  liollow  in  the  sand, 
often  lined  witii  fragments  of  shells ;  they  are  pale  butt'or  stone-colour, 
spotted  with  black  and  grey.  Two  broods  are  usually  reared  in  a 
season. 

Both  the  eggs  and  young  birds  so  closely  resemble  their  surroundings 
that  they  arc  difficult  to  find. 

Sussex,  May. 
Presented  bij  Mr.  II  'niter  Hartou. 


.\tSTJ.\U-SUKlt:s   Ol'   HKITISH    lilKUN.  171) 

No.  114.  COMMON  SANDPIPER.     (Tiin^uidus  liy[)oleucLis.) 

This  spccit's,  ol'tcii  called  tlic  "  8uiimier-Snipe,"  is  a  regulai'  visitor 
to  tlic  Biitisli  Islaiids,  aniving  iu  April  and  departing  in  September.  It 
breeds  on  the  Ijanks  of  almost  every  loch  and  stream  iu  Scotland,  and 
is  common  in  Ireland,  Wales  anil  the  northern  and  western  portions  of 
England,  but  less  plentiful  in  the  southern  and  eastern  counties.  Its 
nest,  of  dry  grass,  leaves,  etc.,  is  placed  in  a  hollow  in  the  ground, 
usually  in  the  proximity  of  fiesh  water.  The  eggs  are  four  in  number, 
and  of  a  creaniy-ljurt'  colour,  finely  s[)otted  with  grey  and  with  two  shades 
of  browii. 

Siitherlandshiie,  .June. 

Pn^sentiH  by  Colonel  L.  H.  Irbij  \  Captain  S.  G.  Beid. 

No.  115.  REDSHANK,     ('rotanus  culidris.) 

A  common  species  during  the  summer  months  throughout  the  British 
Islands,  but  on  the  approach  of  cold  weather  the  majority  of  birds  move 
southward,  though  some  remain  on  the  coasts  throughout  the  winter. 
It  breeds  in  marshy  districts  and  pastures,  nesting  iu  a  hollow  in  the 
ground  among  rushes,  heather,  or  long  grass.  The  eggs,  which  are 
usually  well  concealed,  are  four  in  number,  and  are  of  a  greenish-buff 
colour,  blotched  and  spotted  with  pur[>lisli-browu. 

The  birds  betray  great  anxiety  when  their  uest  is  approached,  and 
endeavour  to  lead  the  intruder  away  by  Hying  roiinil  and  uttering  their 
shrill  but  [ilaintive  note. 

Two  nests  are  exhibited  with  the  parent  birds — one  pair  with  eggs, 
the  other  with  young. 

( 'uiiibciland,  .1  luie. 

Fn'.si'u/et/  ////  /Ac  lier,  II.  A.  Miicjj//i'rson. 

No.  116.  GREENSHANK.     (Glottis  nebularius.) 

An  annual  migrant  to  the  British  Islands,  many  remaining  to  breed 
on  the  moors  in  the  northern  parts  of  Scotland.  It  feeds  on  small  fish, 
molluscs,  worms,  crustaceans,  beetles,  etc.  The  nest,  a  mere  hollow  in 
the  ground,  thinly  lined  with  dry  grass  or  heather,  and  frecpiently 
sheltered  by  a  stone,  is  generally  situated  near  the  edge  of  a  loch  or 
other  fresh  water.  The  eggs,  four  in  uuuiber,  are  of  a  greenish-butf 
blotched  and  spotted  with  rich  brown  and  purplish-grey. 

Sutherlandshire,  ,'2»th  May. 

l'rtf!<ented  bij  Colonel  L.  H.  Irhij  i^  Cuiitaln  .S.  C  Real. 


180  BlKl)  CAI.LKKY. 

No.  117.  DOTTEREL.     (iMiiliomias  niorinellus.) 

This  Plover  is  a  migrant  to  the  British  Islands  in  late  spring  and 
autumn,  but  a  few  pairs  remain  to  breed  on  some  of  the  mountain-tops 
of  Seotland  and  of  the  Lake  District.  The  nest  is  a  mere  hollow  in  the 
moss  covering  some  elevated  plateau,  where  the  vegetation  consists 
chiefly  of  deer-grass  and  dwarf  alpine  plants.  Patches  of  the  little  ])ink 
flower  I'^ileiw  ucaulis  (some  nearly  a  square  yard  in  extent)  abounded  in 
the  proximity  of  the  uest  exhibited,  and  contrasted  strikingly  in  colour 
with  the  otherwise  sombre  surroundings.  The  eggs,  three  in  nundjer, 
are  yellowish  olive  heavily  blotched  and  spotted  with  brownish-black  ; 
they  are  laid  early  in  June,  and  arc  rennirkably  difficult  to  find,  owing 
to  the  fact  that  the  parent,  if  sitting,  will  allow  itself  to  be  almost 
trodden  on  before  it  leaves  the  nest. 

Banffshire,  3300  feet  alt..  June. 

Prexenled  by  Captain  S.  G.  Rdd,  W.  R.  OyUvie-Grunt  k; 
G.  A.  <S/.  Quill  till,  Esijis. 

No.  118.   ARCTIC  or  RICHARDSON'S  SKUA. 

(StercoraiiiLs  crepidatus.) 

This  eircumpolar  species,  most  common  on  the  northern  and  eastern 
coasts  of  Great  Britain,  breeds  in  the  north  of  Scotland  and  has  nume- 
rous colonies  on  the  Shetlands,  Oi'kncys,  and  Outer  Hcl)rides.  it  feeds 
principally  on  fish,  obtained  by  robbing  the  smaller  (lulls  and  Terns ; 
but  is  also  said  to  prey  on  wounded  birds  and  on  the  eggs  of  other  sea- 
fowl.  Two  brownish-green  eggs,  blotched  with  dark  brown,  are  laid 
in  a  hollow  iu  the  moss  or  grass  of  the  open  moorland  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  coast. 

Two  distinct  phases  of  plumage  occur,  one  being  entirely  sooty,  while 
the  other  has  light  under-parts  :  in  the  pairs  exhibited,  tlie  light-coloured 
specimen  is  a  male. 

Island  of  Mousa,  Slietlauds,  June. 

Presented  by  Lieut.  G.  H.  Bruce,  B.N. 

No.  119.  GREAT  BLACK-BACKED  GULL. 

(Larus  niarimis.) 

This  rapacious  Gull,  the  largest  of  our  resident  species,  is  to  be  met 
with  at  all  seasons  on  the  British  coasts.  It  breeds  iu  small  numbers 
on  the  south  and  uest  coasts  of  England  and  in  Wales,  but  is  common 


XESTI.VG-SERIKS  OF  BRITISH    BIRDS.  ]«] 

in  many  parts  of  Scotland  and  Ircdaiul,  citlicr  in  solitarv  pairs  nv  in  small 
•■"li>nics.  It  feeds  largely  on  animal  food,  attacking"  sicklv  sheep  and 
lambs,  and  devouring  the  eggs  and  young  of  game-birds  "and  water- 
fowl, as  well  as  carrion.  On  account  of  its  predatory  habits,  large  num- 
bers are  annually  destroyed.  The  roughly  constructed  nest,  made  of 
seaweed,  dry  grass,  etc..  is  usually  situated  on  some  isolated  stack  of 
rock  or  on  an  islet  in  some  secluded  mountaiu-loch.  The  eggs,  two  or 
three  in  number,  are  brownish-buft;  blotched  aiul  sj)otted  wilh'  umber 
and  dark  grev. 

Sutherlaudsliirc,  ^Nfay. 
Prcseiiti'd  by  Ci,hjn,'l  L.  II.  Irhij  .v  Vuptcua  ,s'.  G'.  R^hL 


No.  120.  COMMON  GULL.     (Laius  canus.) 

i:)nring  the  colder  mouths  of  the  year  this  species  is  generally  distri- 
buted along  the  coasts  of  the  British  Islands  and  frequently  seen  inland, 
but  in  April  the  majority  of  adults  move  northwards.  It"is  not  known 
to  nest  in  England  or  Wales,  l)ut  in  Scotland  and  the  adjacent  islands 
as  well  as  in  parts  of  Ireland,  large  colonies  are  numerous.  Open  moors' 
the  islands  in  both  salt-  and  fresh-water  lochs,  and  the  less  precipitous 
coasts,  are  the  favourite  breeding-places.  When  at  sea,  this  Gull  feeds 
on  small  Hsh  etc.,  but  inland  it  is  frequently  to  be  seen  following  the 
plough  in  search  of  worms  and  grubs,  or  hawking  insects  on  the  wing. 
The  somewhat  large  uest  is  made  of  any  convenient  materials,  such  as 
grass,  heather,  or  seaweed.  The  eggs,  usually  three  in  number,  are 
laid  early  in  May,  and  vary  greatly  in  colour,  "but  are  generally  olive- 
brown  spotted  with  dark  brown. 

Island  of  .Alousa,  Slietlands,  June. 
Presented  by  E.  M.  Nelson,  Esq. 

No.  121.  LESSER  BLACK-BACKED  GULL. 

(Larus  fuse  us.) 

Though  common  on  all  the  coasts  of  the  British  Islands  during  the 
greater  part  of  the  year,  this  species  is  somewhat  local  in  its  distribution 
during  the  breeding-season,  when  large  numbers  congregate  on  moors, 
turf-clad  slopes,  or  flat-topped  islands,  in  preference  to  the  ledges  of 
cliffs.  Being  almost  omnivorous  and  especially  pai-tial  to  the  eggs  and 
young  of  game-birds  and  water-fowl,  it  is  constantly  destroyed  by 
game-preservers.  The  nest,  which  is  made  of  grass,  dry  seaweJd,  etc', 
was  placed   in  the  present  instance  at  the  intersection  of  two  sheep- 


a 


183  Hiiin  (i  \i.i  r.itv. 

walks,  tlic  sliccp  liciiiji-  obliged    to   'yn\\\t  over  tlio  sittiuf;-  bird.     'I'lin'O 
eggs  are  laid  rally  in  ,May  and  vary  greatly  in  colour  and  markings. 
l^land  oi'  .Moi\sa,  Slii'tlaiids,  .Innc. 
I'li'sfiilfd  III/   I, Kill.    a.   II.    lii  iirr,   /\'..\. 

No.  122.  TAWNY  OWL.     (Syniiuni  nliico.) 

Tliis  Owl,  also  known  as  the  IJrown  or  Wood-Owl.  is  fairly  common 
all  over  Great  Britain  wherever  there  are  woods  and  crags  suited  to  its 
habits,  but  it  docs  not  appear  to  be  found  in  Ireland.  The  nesting- 
site  is  very  varied,  the  most  usual  place  being  a  hollow  in  the  trunk  of 
some  decayed  tree,  bnt  old  nests  of  l{ooks,  Crows,  and  other  birds  are 
frequently  used,  while  ruins,  barns,  and  disused  cliimneys  are  sometimes 
resorted  to,  and  not  infrequently  the  bare  ground  under  the  shelter  of 
tir  branches  or  roots.  The  eggs,  usually  three  or  four  in  number,  are 
smooth,  white,  and  nearly  round  in  shape,  and  somctinus  laid  as  early  as 
the  end  of  February.  During  the  day  this  sj)ecics  rimains  concealed,  and 
it  appears  to  dislike  the  sunlight  more  than  any  other  British  Owl.  It 
preys  chiefly  on  rats,  mice,  moles,  and  sometimes  on  small  birds,  insects, 
or  surface-swimming  fishes. 

Somerset,  May. 

Prrsciili'il  liii  ('.   B.  l/iirs/inii///.  E.t(/ . 

No.  123.  LONG-EARED  OW^L.     (Asio  otus.) 

This  resident  species  is  generally  distributed  throughout  the  wooded 
districts  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  being  especially  partial  to  fir- 
plantations.  It  is  nocturnal  in  its  habits  and  feeds  principally  on  small 
rats,  mice,  and  birds,  though  beetles  and  other  insects  are  also  eaten. 
The  eggs,  which  are  white  and  from  four  to  six  in  number,  are  usually 
deposited  very  early  in  the  year  in  an  old  squirrel's  drey,  or  in  the 
deserted  nest  of  some  larger  bird,  but  occasionally  they  are  laid  ou  the 
gi'ound,  at  the  foot  of  a  hollow  tree. 

Norfolk,  May. 

Preseiittd  In/  Lord  11  ii/sini/hiiiii. 

No.  124.  HERRING-GULL.     ( l.anis  argentatus.) 

One  of  the  commonest  Gulls  on  the  coasts  of  the  British  Islands, 
breeding  wherever  jirecipitous  rocks  or  isolated  "  stacks  "  afford  a  suitable 
refuge.      Many   pairs  uest   also   among  the   sand-hills   on   the   nortli- 


XESTINfi-SKKlLs  or   mUTISH    BIliD- 


183 


cast  mast  of  Scotland  and  some  colonics  may  bo  tound  on  the  islets  m 
loHis.  It  ftcuerally  nests  in  company  Avith  others  of  its  kind  and  often 
anion-  colonies  of  the  Lesser  IJlaek-backed  and  Common  Gulls.  Like 
other  large  (iuUs  it  is  a  great  robber  of  eggs  and  young  l)irds.  Three 
is  the  full  nnniljcr  of  eggs  laid. 

Xaiiiisliire,  (itli  .liinc. 
Pn-sciitnl  hii  ir.   R.    Oi/ilnr-Clnnit  .V  //.  N.    /(",.„/,   /'Jxy/'.v. 

No.  125.  GLAUCOUS  GULL.     (Larus  -lauciis.) 

.Mthougli  this  circumpolar  iiird  is  an  irregular  winter  visitor  to  our 
sliores,  it  has  never  been  known  to  breed  in  the  British  Islands,  its 
nesting-places  being  in  the  Arctic  Ocean  on  the  shores  of  both 
continents.  Its  iiabits,  food,  and  mode  of  nesting  arc  similar  to  those 
of  the  Greater  Black-backed  Gull.  The  stonc-eolourcd  eggs,  spotted 
with  ash-grey  and  Ijrown,  arc  laid  during  the  first  half  of  June  and  are 
usually  three  in  number. 

AVaigats  Island,  July. 
Pn-xriitril  liij  H.  .1 .   I'i'iirsiiii,  Esfj. 

No.  126.  SANDWICH  TERN.     (Sterna  cantiaca.) 

A  regular  visitor  to  the  British  Islands,  arriving  in  March  and  April, 
and  returning  south  early  in  autumn.  It  nests  in  colonies,  associating 
with  Arctic  or  Common  Terns,  and  not  infrequently  changes  its 
breeding-grounds  when  persecuted.  The  nest  is  generally  a  sliallow 
hole  scratched  in  the  shingle  or  in  the  sand  among  sea-campion,  sorrel, 
and  other  plants,  but  sometimes  a  tolerably  solid  structure  of  bents  may 
be  seen.  The  eggs  are  usually  two  and  rarely  three  in  number,  and 
vary  much  in  colour  and  markings. 

Scotland,  lOth  June. 
Presented  hi/  Captain  S.  G.  Reid  ^-  IV.  R.  Oyihie- Grant,  Esq. 

No.  127.  ROSEATE  TERN.     (Sterna  dougalli.) 

This  southern  species  visits  the  British  Islands  regularly  in  small 
numbers,  arriving  at  the  end  of  April  and  leaving  as  soon  as" the  young 
are  able  to  fly.  It  is  generally  met  with  in  small  colonies  of  one  or 
two  pairs  associating  with  Arctic  or  Common  Terns.     The  eo-o-s,  two  or 


184  liiiti)  f:Ai,i,ERy. 

tlircc  in  imnil)cr,  nro  laid  on  tlie  f^rouiid  ami  arc  alinnsf  iiulistinsiuishable 
from  those  of  tlie  ahovp-mciifioned  allied  species. 

iScotland,  1  Itli  June. 
Prcnoiitpd  lij  Cfijitdiii  S'.  CV.  He  hi  is  II'.  li.  ()f/i/rir-(!ri/)i/,  Es(/. 

No.  128.  BLACK-HEADED  or  LAUGHING  GULL. 

(Lavus  vidibuiulus.) 

The  dark  brown  hood^  from  which  tliis  species  derives  its  somewhat 
inappropriate  name,  is  assnmed  in  spring,  but  disappears  after  the 
autumn  moult.  It  is  a  common  resident  on  the  coasts  of  the  British 
Islands  during  the  colder  mouths  of  tlie  year,  but  in  spring  resorts  to 
its  breeding-places,  where  it  congregates  in  large  numbers.  These  "  gul- 
leries,"  as  they  arc  called,  arc  formed  in  marshy  localities,  or  on  inland 
lakes,  and  some,  like  that  on  Scoulton  ^lere  in  Norfolk,  liavc  been  used  for 
centuries.  The  nest  is  made  of  sedge,  flags,  etc.,  and  placed  on  clumps 
of  ruslies  or  on  the  ground.  Three,  or  occasionally  four,  eggs,  varying 
greatly  in  colour  and  markings,  are  laid  towards  the  end  of  April,  and 
in  many  places  are  regularly  collected  for  the  market.  This  Gull  is  a 
useful  friend  to  the  farmer,  feeding  f«r  the  greater  part  of  the  year  on 
grubs  and  other  Jioxious  insects. 

Invcrness-sliire,  May. 
Presented  by  Lonl  Lorat. 

No.  129.  IVORY  GULL.     (Pagophila  ebuniea.) 

This  Arctic  species  is  an  occasional  wanderer  to  the  coasts  of  the 
British  Islands.  About  thirty-five  examples  have  been  recorded  and  of 
these  rather  more  than  half  appear  to  have  been  adults.  T^vo  is  the 
full  number  of  eggs  laid. 

Cape  Mary  Harmsworth,  Franz-Josef  Land,  7tli  August. 
F resented  hy  F.  G.  Jackson,  Esq. 


No.  130.  COMMON  TERN.     (Sternn  tlnviatilis.) 

This  wcll-knoun  "  Sca-SwalloM-  ''  reaches  our  coiists  towards  the  end 
o£  April  and  returns  to  the  south  between  August  and  October.  Its 
numerous  breeding-stations  are  scattered  along  the  coasts  of  the  British 
Islands,  as   well    as  on    inland    freshwater    loch.s.      The    food    consists 


NESTING-SERIES  OF  BRITISH   BIRDS.  185 

principally  of  small  fish,  sand-eels,  shrimps,  and  other  Crustacea,  and,  like 
the  Arctic  Tern,  it  may  constantly  be  seen  plunging  headlong  into  the 
sea  in  pursuit  of  its  prey.  The  eggs,  which  vary  greatly  in  colour  and 
markings,  arc  two  or  three  in  immber,  and  deposited  in  a  shallow 
depression  iu  the  sand  or  among  shingle,  dry  seaweed,  and  short 
herbage ;  many  pairs  of  birds  sometimes  nesting  within  a  small  area. 

Kent,  June. 

Presented  by  Culonel  IVillouyhby  Verner. 


No.  131.  LITTLE  TERN.     (Sterna  minuta.) 

This  is  the  smallest  of  our  Terns,  aud  arrives  early  in  May  at  its 
breeding-stations  on  the  flat  sandy  or  shingly  shores  scattered  along 
the  coasts  of  the  British  Islands.  In  September  or  early  iu  October 
it  leaves  for  the  south.  About  the  end  of  May  two  or  three  stone- 
coloui'cd  eggs,  spotted  with  grey  and  brown,  are  laid  in  a  slight  hollow 
scratched  in  the  sand  or  among  the  shingle.  In  the  colony  from  which 
the  birds  and  nests  exhibited  were  taken  the  nests  were  more  widely 
scattered,  being  from  five  to  ten  yards  apart.  The  egg  were  found  on 
the  12th  of  June  and  the  youug  sixteen  days  later. 

Kent,  June. 

Presented  by  Colonel  n'illou(/hby  Verner. 


No.  132.  ARCTIC  TERN.     (Sterna  macrura.) 

This  Tern  reaches  England  towards  the  cud  of  April  and  departs 
southward  in  the  autumn,  the  migration  lasting  from  August  to 
October.  Large  colonies  breed  on  many  of  the  islands  off  the  coasts 
of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  but  the  species  is  most  numerously 
represented  towards  the  uorth  of  Scotland,  and,  though  it  has  been 
found  nesting  by  freshwater  lakes  iu  Ireland,  its  breeding-places  are 
usually  by  the  sea.  On  migration  it  is  generally  distributed  along  our 
shores.  Two,  or  sometimes  three,  eggs,  which  vary  greatly  in  colour 
aud  markings,  are  laid  in  a  shallow  depression  of  the  sand  or  among 
shingle,  sometimes  on  dead  seaweed  or  in  scanty  herba°c. 

Island  of  Mousa,  Shetlands,  June. 

Presented  by  Lieut.  G.  H.  Bruce,  R.N.,  ^  E.  M.  Nelson,  Esq. 


186  BIRD   GALLERY. 


No.  133.  STONE-CURLEW  or  THICK-KNEE. 

(Qidicnemus  CEclicnemus.) 

The  Norfolk  Plover,  as  this  species  is  often  called,  is  a  summer 
visitor  to  the  southern  and  midland  counties  of  England,  and  has  been 
known  to  nest  as  far  north  as  Yorkshire  ;  it  usually  arrives  in  April 
and  dei)iirts  in  October,  but  some  individuals  pass  the  winter  in  South 
Devon  and  Cornwall.  It  frequents  downs,  open  heather,  wastes,  and 
fallows,  and  feeds  principally  on  worms,  molluscs,  and  insects,  but  it 
also  eats  small  mnmmals,  reptiles,  and  frogs.  The  two  buff-colo>ircd 
eggs,  blotched  and  spotted  with  bi-own  and  grey,  are  laid  in  a  slight 
hollow  scratched  in  the  ground,  often  among  sand  and  scattered  stones. 
When  alarmed,  the  bird  endeavours  to  conceal  itself  in  a  crouching 
position,  but  if  closely  approached  it  runs  swiftly  away  and  ultimately 
takes  wing. 

Norfolk,  May. 

Presented  hij  Lord  JValsinghum. 

No.  134.  CREAM-COLOURED  COURSER. 

((!ursoriiis  gallicus.) 

This  species  is  an  irregular  straggler  to  Europe,  and  about  a  score  of 
individuals  have  been  pi'oeured  in  Great  Britain,  chiefly  in  the  southern 
counties  of  England.  Its  true  home  extends  from  the  Canary  Islands 
and  North  Africa,  through  South-western  Asia,  to  India.  It  frequents 
sandy  districts,  where  the  surroundings  harmonize  in  colour  with  its 
plumage  and  afford  equal  protection  for  its  young  and  eggs.  Tiie 
latter,  which  are  two  in  number  and  yellowish-buff,  thickly  spotted  and 
freckled  with  yellowish-brown  and  grey,  are  laid  on  the  bare  parts  of 
the  desert,  where  the  stones  are  mostly  small.  The  male  bird  takes  no 
part  in  the  duties  of  incubation,  but  is  said  to  assist  in  caring  for  the 
young. 

Fuerteventura,  Canary  Islands,  March. 

Presented  by  E.  G.  B.  Meade-Waldo,  Esq. 

No.  135.  COMMON  HERON.     (Ardea  cinerea.) 

This  species  is  generally  distributed  throughout  the  British  Islands, 
and  during  the  breeding-season  is  usually  met  with  in  colonics,  known 
as  heronries;  but  from  August  onwards  it  often  leads  a  solitary 
existence  on   the  coasts   and  inland   waters.     Its  nests  are    generally 


NESTING-SERIES  OF  BRITISH    BIRDS.  187 

placed  on  tlie  tops  of  higli  trees,  sometimes  on  sea-cliffs  or  rocks,  and 
occasionally  on  the  ground  ;  they  are  large  flat  structures,  formed  of 
sticks  and  lined  with  roots  and  dry  grass.  From  three  to  five  uniform 
bluish-grccn  eggs  are  laid  in  March  or,  in  mild  seasons,  even  as  early  as 
January.  Both  parents  assist  in  providing  the  young  with  food,  wliich 
consists  of  tish,  frogs,  reptiles,  young  water-fowl,  mice,  and  voles,  as 
well  as  worms,  molluscs,  and  insects. 

Perthsliire,  June. 

Preseiiled  hij  Jf.  R.  Oyilvie-Graiit ,  Esq. 

No.  136.  COMMON  SCOTER.  (CEdemia  uigia.) 
Vast  numbers  visit  our  seas  in  winter,  and  the  species  is  especially 
ahundant  on  tlie  east  coast  of  Great  Biitaiii,  where  it  is  often  found  in 
numbers  exceeding  those  of  any  other  Duck.  In  spring  the  majority 
of  adult  birds  depart  to  the  north  of  Europe,  but  some  remain  to  breed 
in  the  north  of  Scotland.  The  food  consists  chiefly  of  molluscs,  which 
are  procured  by  diving.  The  uest,  made  of  moss  and  grass  with  a  lining 
of  down,  is  placed  on  an  island  in  a  freshwater  loch  or  among  the 
heather  in  the  vicinity.  From  six  to  nine  yellowish-white  eggs  are  laid 
early  in  June. 

Caithness,  June. 
Presented  hij  Colonel  L.  H.  Irhy  cV  Cuptuin  S.  G.  Reid. 

No.  137.  EIDER  DUCK.     (Somateria  mollissima.) 
Oil  the   southern  and    western   coasts   of  England  and   Wales    this 
species  is  only  known  as  a  winter  visitor,   but  it    breeds  on  the   Fame 
Islands,  in  Northumberland,  and  in  suitable  localities  along  the  coasts 
of  Scotland.     As  a  straggler  it  is  occasionally  met  witli  on  the  Irish 
coast.    The  food,  obtained  by  diving,  consists  of  shellfish  and  crustaceans 
(which  are  often  swallowed  entire),  as  well  as  seaweed,  etc.     The  nest, 
usually  situated  among  coarse  herbage  on  low  islands,  is  composed  of 
the  stems  of  plants,  grass,  and  fine  seaweed,  and  contains  from  five  to 
eight  green  eggs.     As  incubation  proceeds,  a  lining  of  down  plucked 
from  the  breast  of  the  female  is  gradually  added;  each  nest  contains 
about  three  ounces  of  eider-down.     As  soon  as  the  ducks  begin  to  sit 
the  drakes  leave  them,  and  tiie  latter  may  then  be  met  with^in  small 
parties  off  the  coast. 

Island  of  Coll,  Hebrides,  May. 
Presented  by  Colonel  L.  H.  Irhy. 


188  BIRD  GALLERY. 

No.  138.  RED-BREASTED  MERGANSER. 

(Mergus  serrator.) 

During  the  winter  months  this  species  is  met  with  on  the  eoasts  and 
tidal  rivers  of  Eughmd  and  Wales,  but  in  Scotland  (including  the  Shet- 
lauds,  Orkneys,  and  Hebrides),  as  well  as  in  Ireland,  it  is  resident  and 
breeds  more  or  less  plentifully  on  the  freshwater  lochs  and  on  many 
parts  of  the  coasts.  It  is  an  expert  diver  and  feeds  chiefly  on  trout, 
young  salmon,  and  other  small  fishes.  The  nest  (a  hollow  in  the  ground 
thickly  lined  with  down)  is  usually  well  concealed  among  heather,  long 
grass,  etc.,  but  is  sometimes  placed  in  an  old  burrow.  The  greenish- 
buff  eggs,  rarely  more  than  ten  in  number,  arc  laid  towards  the  end  of 
May,  and  the  female  undertakes  the  entire  duties  of  incubation.  A 
male  in  winter  plumage  has  been  introduced  into  the  Case  to  show  the 
difference  iu  jjlumagc  between  the  two  sexes. 

Island  of  Skye,  July. 

Presented  bij  the  Rev.  H.  A.  Macphersoii. 

No.  139.  COMMON  SHELD-DUCK.     (Tadorna  corniita.) 

The  "  Burrow-Duck,'^  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is  not  uncommon  on 
suitable  parts  of  the  eoasts  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland.  Low  sand- 
hills, sand-bars,  aud  mud-flats  are  its  favourite  haunts,  where  small 
moUusca,  Crustacea,  marine  insects,  aud  otlun'  kinds  of  food  are 
plentiful.  The  plumage  of  the  sexes  is  very  similar,  but  the  colours  of 
the  female  aie  less  bright  aiul  well  defined  than  those  of  the  male.  The 
nest  (made  of  bents,  with  a  thick  lining  of  down  from  the  breast  of  tlie 
female)  is  generally  placed  inside  a  rabbit-burrow  some  feet  from  the 
entrance.  In  the  present  instance  it  was  situated  at  the  unusual  depth 
of  15  feet  and  7  feet  below  the  surface  [see  Diagram] .  Prom  seven 
to  twelve  cream-coloured  eggs  are  laid  in  May.  The  male  takes  no 
part  in  the  incubation,  which  lasts  for  twenty-eight  or  thirty  days,  but 
remains  iu  the  vicinity  of  the  nest,  often  in  company  with  other  drakes 
of  his  kind. 

Cromarty,  June. 

Presented  bij  G.  A.  St.  Quint  in  ^"  JV.  K.  O^ilcie-Grant,  Esijs. 

No.  140.  GADWALL.     (Chaulelasmus  streperus.) 

This  Duck  is  a  winter  visitor  to  the  British  Islands,  though  iu  no 
great  numbers,  but  now  breeds  regularly  in  a  few  localities  iu  Norfolk, 


NESTING-SERIES  OF   HRITISH    BIRDS.  189 

Avlioro  it  vas  originally  introilucrd.  It  iVequciits  t'rcslnvater  lalu-s  wliicli 
artbrd  plenty  of  cover,  and,  owing  to  its  retiring'  habits,  is  often  supposed 
to  be  more  imcommoii  than  is  really  the  case.  It  feeds  by  night, 
chierty  on  grain,  seeds,  and  other  vegetable  matter.  The  nest  (made  of 
grass  and  lined  with  down)  is  placed  at  a  short  distance  from  the 
water,  under  a  bush  or  tuft  of  long  grass.  From  eight  to  twelve 
whitish-buff  eggs  are  laid  from  towards  the  end  of  May  onwards. 

Norfolk,  .Tuly. 

Presented  by  Lord  ll'nhitKjhmii. 

No.  14-1.  TEAL.     (Nettioii  crecca.) 

The  smallest  of  our  British  Ducks,  this  species  is  more  abundant 
(luring  the  winter  months  than  in  summer,  but  it  breeds  in  almost  everv 
county  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland.  It  frequents  fresh  water,  and 
feeds  on  the  seeds  of  aquatic  plants,  grain,  worms,  slugs,  and  insects, 
and  the  flesh  is  much  esteemed  as  food.  The  nest,  composed  of  dry 
grass  and  leaM's,  is  lined  with  blackish  down  and  placed  in  tufts  of  coarse 
grass  or  heatlier  on  the  borders  of  lakes  or  morasses.  From  eight  to 
fourteen  creamy- white  or  pale  buff  eggs  are  laid  early  in  May. 

1.— Noiiolk,  May. 

/'resented  by  Lord  IVulsingham. 

2. — Hertfordshire,  May. 

Presented  by  the  Hon.  L.  W.  Rothschild. 

No.  14-2.  WIGEON.     (Mareca  peiielope.) 

A  winter  visitor  to  the  British  Islands,  generally  appearing  on  our 
coasts  in  vast  numbers  about  the  end  of  September  or  beginning  of 
October,  and  remaining  till  March  and  April,  when  the  majority  return 
to  the  north.  A  considerable  number  remain  to  breed,  principally 
about  the  lochs  in  the  north  of  Scotland  and,  possibly,  in  Ireland. 
The  nest,  which  is  placed  among  rushes,  coarse  herbage,  or  heatlier,  is 
thickly  lined  with  down,  and  may  contain  from  seven  to  ten  cream- 
coloured  eggs. 

Sutherlandsliire,  June. 

Presented  by  Coloiitl  L.  H.  Irby  ^y  Cajjlahi  S.  (i.  Reid. 


I'JO  BIRD  OALLEKV. 

No.  143,  SHAG  or  GREEN  CORMORANT. 

(Phalacrocorax  ^raculus.) 

This  species  is  also  known  as  the  Crested  Cormorant;  ou  account  o£ 
the  curved  tuft-like  crest  which  is  assumed  in  the  early  spring  and 
shed  in  ]\Iay.  Though  essentially  marine  and  common  along  all 
the  more  rugged  coasts  of  the  British  Islands,  it  occasionally  wanders 
inland  to  freshwater  lochs.  It  is  an  expert  diver,  and  feeds  principally 
on  sea-fishes.  Tlie  nest,  formed  of  seaweed  and  other  materials 
plastered  together  and  emitting  a  horrible  smell,  is  generally  placed 
on  a  ledge  of  a  cliff,  and  from  three  to  five  oblong  eggs,  with  a  pale 
lilue  undcrshell  thickly  encrusted  with  chalky  white,  arc  laid  in  May 
or  sometimes  earlier.  The  manner  in  whicii  the  young  arc  fed  is 
very  remarkable.  The  parent  bird  having  filled  its  gullet  with  fish, 
returns  to  its  nest  and,  bending  over  the  young,  opens  its  bill  to  the 
fullest  extent.  The  young,  in  turn,  thrust  the  head  and  neck  down 
the  old  bird's  throat  and  extract  the  partly  digested  food  till  the  pouch 
is  empty. 

South  Wales,  June. 

Presented  hij  Lord  Kensiiit/lon. 

No.  144.  SHOVELER.     (S]iatula  clypcata.) 

Though  chiefly  a  winter  visitor  to  the  iJritish  Islands,  a  good  many 
pairs  remain  to  breed  on  some  of  the  inland  lakes  and  marshes,  and  the 
number  of  breeding-birds  is  yearly  increasing.  As  a  rule,  this  species 
frequents  fresh  water,  feeding  on  mollusca,  worms,  and  aquatic  insects, 
as  well  as  on  grass  and  water-[)lauts,  and  its  Hesh  is  much  esteemed  as 
food.  The  deep  nest  of  fine  grass,  lined  with  down,  is  generally  placed 
in  long  grass  or  heather,  and  the  eggs,  when  numerous,  lie  in  two 
layers.  They  are  of  a  pale  greenish-buff  colour,  and  vary  in  number 
from  eight  to  fourteen. 

Norfolk,  May. 

Presented  by  Lord  il'ulsiiiijhnm. 

No.  145.  TUFTED  DUCK.     (Fuligula  cristata.) 

Between  autumn  and  spring  this  species  is  common  about  the  coasts, 
estuaries  and  lakes  of  the  British  Islands,  and  is  often  found  in  company 
with  flocks  of  other  diving-ducks.  It  breeds  in  considerable  numbers 
»\\  many  of  the  lakes  and  ponds  throughout  the  kingdom,  but  is  most 
numerous  in  Scotland.     It  feeds  on  aquatic  plants  and  various  animal- 


NESTIXG-SElilES   OF   URITTSH    BIRDS.  191 

food,  inosl  III"  uliich  is  obtained  liy  divinj;-,  and,  as  a  rule,  the  tlesli  is 
iiidifl'ereiit  eating.  The  nest,  of  dry  f;rass  lined  with  down,  is  con- 
c(-aled  in  a  tuft  of  grass  or  sedge.  From  eight  to  thirteen  greenish- 
biift'  eggs  arc  hiid  about  tlie  cud  of  jNI: 


^06' 


IV. 


Norfolk,  June. 
Presented  hij  Lord  Jl'ahiiuiltfiiii . 


No.  146.  POCHARD.     (Nyruca  ferina.) 

This  species  of  diving-duck,  often  known  as  tlie  Eed-headed  Poker 
or  Dim-bird,  is  mainly  a  winter  visitor  to  the  Britisli  Islands,  arriving 
in  October  and  departing  in  spring,  but  a  good  many  pairs  remain  to 
breed  on  some  of  our  inland  waters.  While  frequenting  fresh  water  and 
feeding  on  tlic  plants  that  grow  below  the  surface,  it  is  excellent  eating, 
but  after  it  has  visited  the  sea,  a  diet  of  marine  crustaceans  and  molluscs 
renders  the  flesh  vmpalatablc.  The  nest  is  placed  near  the  margin  of 
some  lake  or  pool,  and  consists  of  a  layer  of  old  dead  flags  surrounded 
and  concealed  by  growing  reeds  and  aquatic  plants.  From  seven  to 
ten  greenish-drab  eggs  are  laid  in  ilay,  and  embedded  in  greyish-brown 
down,  taken  from  the  breast  of  the  female. 

Norfolk,  June. 

Presented  by  Lord  Wahingham. 


No.  147.  GREY  LAG-GOOSE.     (Auscr  ferus.) 

This  is  the  only  species  of  Wild  Goose  whieli  nests  within  the 
British  Islands,  and  is  tlie  source  from  which  our  domestic  race  lias 
spi'ung.  Though  not  so  plentiful  as  some  of  its  allies,  during  the 
winti'r  months  a  good  many  pairs  remain  to  bivcd  in  the  northern  parts 
of  Scotland  and  in  the  Hebrides,  especially  in  the  outer  islands  ;  while 
in  Ireland  a  colony  is  resident  on  the  lake  at  Castle  Coole,  Co.  Mono- 
gjian.  The  nest,  composed  of  reeds,  moss,  dry  hcatlicr,  etc.,  is  generally 
placed  among  coarse  grass  and  rushes  or  in  deep  heather  near  tlie 
edge  of  a  loch  or  on  an  island.  The  yellowish-white  eggs  are  usually 
from  four  to  seven  in  number,  and  surrounded  by  down  plucked  from 
tlie  lircast  of  the  female.  The  males  take  no  part  in  the  incubation, 
lint  associate  in  flocks  on  the  nearest  water. 

Sutherlandsliire,  May. 

Presented  by  Captain  S.  G.  Reid,  IF.  R.  Oyilvie-Grant  ^ 
G.  A.  St.  Qiiiniin,  Esqs. 


192 


BIHI)  OAM.EHY. 


MODEL  OP  PART  OF  A  CLIPP  OP  THE 
BASS  ROCK. 

Tlic  Bass  Rock  is  one  of  tlie  most  celebrated  breecling-stations  on 
the  east  coast  of  Scotland,  and  every  spring  conntlcss  numbers  of  sea- 
birds  resort  ther(>  for  tlic  purpose  of  nesting;-.  It  rises  some  420  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea^  and  tlic  accompanying  photographs  give 
some  idea  of  the  biid-life  which  covers  the  ledges  of  this  rock.  The 
part  reproduced  accurately  represents  two  shelves  situated  liigli  up  on 
the  precipitous  face  of  the  rock,  on  which  the  three  following  species 
of  sea-birds  were  breeding,  socially,  and  in  close  proximity  to  one 
another. 


No.  148.  KITTIWAKE.    (Rissa  tridactyla.) 

Throughout  the  winter  mouths  this  Gull  is  generallv  distributed 
along  the  coasts  of  the  British  Islands,  but  in  summer  it  resorts  in  \ast 
numbers  to  rugged  clifl's  for  the  jiurposc  of  nesting.  Large  breeding- 
colonies  are  to  be  found  on  the  Fame  Islands,  Flamborough  Head, 
the  Scilly  Islands,  Lundy  Island,  and  round  the  coasts  and  islands 
of  Wales,  Scotland,  and  Ireland.  The  nest,  usually  formed  of  seaweed 
and  lined  with  grass,  is  placed  on  a  ledge  of  rock  and  contains  two  or 
three  pale  buff  eggs,  spotted  with  reddish-brown  and  ash-grey. 

The  trivial  name  "  Kittiwakc  "  is  derived  from  its  note. 


No.  149.  GANNET  or  SOLAN  GOOSE.     (Suhi  bassana.) 

During  the  autumn  and  winter  months  the  Ganuct  is  found  tiirough- 
out  British  waters,  but  in  spring  it  repairs  in  countless  numbers  to 
some  isolated  rock  to  breed.  The  most  noted  breeding-colonies  are  at 
Lundy  Island,  Grasshohu,  oft  Pembrokeshire,  Ailsa  Craig,  Sulisgeir,  oft' 
the  Butt  of  Lewis,  Boreray  in  the  St.  Kilda  group,  and  the  Bass  Rock 
in  Ireland  it  breeds  on  the  Bull  Rock  uff  Co.  Cork  and  on  the  Little 
Skellig.  It  feeds  on  fish,  which  arc  obtained  by  plunging,  often  from 
a  great  height.  The  nest  of  seaweed  and  grass  contains  only  one  egg, 
which  is  pale  blue  overlaid  with  a  chalky-white  coating.  The  young- 
arc  naked  when  hatched,  but  soon  become  covered  with  wiiite  down, 
which  ill  a  few  weeks  gives  place  to  dark  feathers  tipped  with  white. 
The  mature  plumage  is  not  assumed  till  the  fifth  year. 


NESTING-SEKIES  OF  BKITISH    BIRDS.  193 

No.  ISO.  GUILLEMOT,     (Uria  troile.) 

Tlic  j\Iurrc  or  Marrot,  as  it  is  often  called,  is  louiul  throii<;liout  the 
year  in  the  open  seas  surrouiuliiig  tlie  Britisli  Islands.  Towards  tlie  end 
of  March  vast  nnmbcrs  make  for  land,  and  assemble  in  immense  colonics 
at  their  accustomed  nesting-places  on  island-cliffs  or  precipices.  A  single 
large  pear-shaped  egg,  which  varies  greatly  in  colour  and  markings,  is 
laid  in  j\Iay  or  June  on  an  open  ledge  of  the  rock  or  on  the  flat  top  of 
some  '•  stack."  The  female  usually  sits  facing  the  clift',  Iioldiug  the 
egg  between  licr  legs  with  the  point  t)utwards. 

The  Guillemot  feeds  on  fish  and  is  an  expert  diver,  using  its  wings 
as  a  means  of  propulsion  under  water. 

Presented  by  Edward  Bidwiil,  I'lsq. 


No.  151.  MONTAGU'S  HARRIER.     (Civeiis  i)\i;-argiis.) 

Thougli  a  common  summer  visitor  to  Europe,  this  Harrier  is  now 
scarce  in  the  Britisli  Islands.  Every  year  a  few  pairs  arrive  in  April 
and  attempt  to  nest  in  the  eastern  and  southern  counties  of  England  and 
occasionally  in  Wales,  but  they  are  seldom  allowed  to  rear  their  young 
in  peace.  Reptiles,  grasshoppers  and  other  insects  form  the  princijml 
food,  but  .small  mammals,  birds,  and  the  eggs  of  ground-nesting  species 
are  also  eaten.  The  nest,  a  slight  depression  in  the  ground,  sparsely 
lined  with  dry  grass  or  heather,  is  usually  situated  on  the  open  moor  or 
among  dead  grass  and  rushes.  From  four  to  six  bluish-white  eggs  are 
laid  about  the  end  of  May.  The  male  bird  exhibited  in  the  Case  liad 
not  assumed  the  slate-grev  plumage  ciiaracteristic  of  the  fully  adult 
bird. 

Dorsetshire,  IMay. 

Presviilcl  hij  C.  G.  Radcliffc,  Esq. 


No.  152.  HEN-HARRIER.     (Circus  cyaneus.) 

This  species  was  formerly  a  regular  summer  visitor  to  the  British 
Islands  and  nested  on  the  higher  ground  in  n.any  jarts  of  England  and 
AVales,  but  is  now  almost  extirpated  as  a  breeding-species.  Even  on  the 
undisturbed  moors  of  Scotland  and  Ireland  its  numbers  have  greatly 
decreased  during  recent  years.  Like  other  Harriers,  it  feeds  on  small 
mammals,  birds  and  reptiles,  aud  jjlaces  its  nest,  made  of  small  sticks, 
roots,  and  coarse  grass,  on  the  ground.     In  the  present  iustauce  the 


194  BIRD  nALI.ERV. 

birds  sclrctcd  a  depression  in  the  soil  wliere  two  sheep-walks  intersected 
one  nnotlier  at  rii;ht  anf^les.  The  eggs,  from  four  to  six  in  niunliei', 
are  bluish-wliite,  sometimes  s])otted  witli  rusty  brown. 

The  aibilt  birds  differ  ;;reatly  in  colour,  tlic  male  being-  grey  while  the 
female  is  brown,  with  various  mai'kings. 

Suthci'iandshire,  May. 

Presented  hi/  Cu/oni-/  L.  //.  Trl)}/  tV  Captu'ni  S.  G.  Rehh 


No.  153.  Sparrow-hawk.    (Accipiter  nisus.) 

This  eommou  and  rapacious  species  is  generally  distriljuted  through- 
out the  British  Islands,  wlicrevcr  there  arc  woodlands  suited  to  its 
habits.  It  preys  chiefly  on  liirds,  and,  during  the  breeding-season, 
often  does  great  execution  among  the  young  of  game-birds  and  poultry. 
It  usually  constructs  a  nest  of  sticks,  lined  witli  twigs,  and  places  it  in 
a  tree  at  a  considerable  heiglit  from  the  ground  ;  but  the  old  nest  of  a 
Ciow,  Wood-Pigeon,  or  othei'  bird  is  sometimes  renovated  and  made 
use  of  for  several  successive  years.  The  eggs  vary  from  four  to  six  in 
number,  and  are  pale  blnisli-white,  blotched  with  reddish-brown. 

The  male  is  always  much  smaller  than  the  female. 

1. — Norfolk,  June. 
Presented  by  Lord  IValsingham. 

2. —  Dorset,  July. 
Presented  by  F.  Jieckford,  Esq. 


No.  154.  MERLIN.     (Falco  sesalon.) 

The  Merlin  is  the  smallest  of  oui-  British  Falcons,  and  breeds 
tlirougliout  the  moorlands  and  mountainous  districts  of  the  British 
Islands,  with  the  (>\ception  of  some  of  tlie  southern  counties  of  England. 
It  preys  chiefly  on  the  smaller  Wading-birds,  Thrushes,  Larks,  Pipits, 
etc.,  and  being  a  bird  of  high  courage  and  extremely  rapid  flight  is 
a  favourite  witii  falconers  and  frequently  trained  to  take  Ijarks.  The 
nest  is  generally  a  mere  hollow  scratched  in  the  ground  at  the  foot  of 
some  l)oulder  or  rock,  but  occasionally  the  old  nest  of  a  Crow  or  Heron 
is  occupied.  The  eggs,  which  are  laid  in  May,  are  reddish  brown  and 
from  four  to  six  in  numlx'r. 

Isle  of  Skye,  June. 

Presented  by  the  Rev.  H.  A.  Mucpherson. 


NESTING-SERIES  OF  BRITISH   BIRDS.  195 

No.  155.  PEREGRINE  FALCON.     (Falco  pc-veiiTinus.) 

Thougli  greatly  persecuted  (iii  account  of  the  liavoc  it  commits 
among  game,  this  species  is  still  fairly  abundant  and  generally  dis- 
tributed in  suitable  localities  throughout  the  British  Islands.  It  preys 
chiefly  on  Grouse,  Partridges,  Pigeons,  and  Ducks,  as  well  as  on 
Sea-fowl  of  various  kinds.  No  nest  is  made ;  either  a  sliglit  hollow  is 
scratched  in  the  soil  on  some  overhung  ledge  of  an  inland  rock  or 
sea-cliff,  or  an  old  nest  of  some  otlicr  bird,  such  as  the  Raven,  Crow, 
or  Heron,  is  made  use  of.  The  eggs,  which  arc  from  two  to  four  in 
number,  vary  in  colour  from  freckled  orange-brown  to  ricli  brick-red. 
As  is  the  case  with  other  birds-of-prey,  the  female  is  much  larger  than 
the  male,  and  tlie  difference  is  conspicuous  even  in  the  young 
birds  cxhilutcd  in  the  Case. 

lloss-shire,  June. 

Presented  by  Captain  Savile  G.  Rtid  i^  IV.  R.  Oyilviv-Grunt,  Esq. 

No.  156.  KESTREL.     (Oerchneis  tinnuiifulus.) 

This  useful  friend  of  the  agriculturist  is  the  commonest  bird  of  prey 
in  the  British  Islands,  where  it  is  often  known  as  the  Wind-hover, 
from  its  habit  of  hovering  or  hanging  almost  motionless  in  the  air, 
against  the  wind,  over  one  spot,  while  it  searches  the  ground  beneath 
for  prey.  Its  food  consists  chiefly  of  rodents,  large  beetles,  and  other 
insects,  but  occasionally  small  or  young  birds  are  taken.  The  eggs, 
which  arc  reddish-brown  and  from  four  to  six  in  number,  are  laid,  as  a 
rule,  in  the  old  nest  of  a  Crow  or  Magpie,  etc.,  but  cavities  in  hollow 
trees,  clifls,  and  towers  are  also  utilized. 

Sutherlandshire,  j\Iay. 

Presented  by  Colonel  L.  H.  Irby  4f  Captain  S.  G.  Reid. 

No.  157.  COMMON  BUZZARD.     (Buteo  vulgaris.) 

Though  still  fairly  numerous  in  many  of  the  wilder  parts  of  Scotland, 
in  the  north-west  of  England  and  iu  Wales,  this  species  is  atmuallv 
decreasing  in  numbers,  owing  t(j  tlie  constant  persecution  to  which  it  is 
subjected.  Its  food  consists  cliiefly  of  young  rabbits  and  hares  and 
otlier  small  mammals,  but  reptiles,  grasshoppers  and  other  insects,  as 
well  as  small  birds,  are  also  eaten.  The  large  nest  of  sticks  and  dead 
heather  is  either  built  in  a  tree  or  placed  on  the  ledge  of  a  cliff,  iu  the 
ueighbourliood  of  rabbit-burrows.     Three  or  four  greyish-white  eggs, 


inn  BIRD  GALLERY. 

l)lotcliC(l  witli   I'cddish-ljrowii  and  Idac,  arc  usually  laid  in  April  ;  both 
liii'ds  take  part  in  the  duties  of  incubation. 

Tiie  nest  exhibited  is  a  second  07ie,  the  tirst  havint;-  been  destroyed. 

]{oss-shire,  .[line. 

PrcxciUcd  III/  Cajilubt  IS.  G,  Ih'iil  t>;  11  .  R.  Ojilrii'-Uraiilj  Esq. 

No.  158.  GOLDEN  EAGLE.     (A(|uihi  clivysai'tus.) 

Owing'  to  the  protection  alTorded  hy  the  proprietors  of  deer-forests^ 
tiie  numbers  of  this  grand  l^ird  of  prey  have  greatly  increased  daring 
I'ecent  years.  Its  breeding-places  are  now  confined  to  the  highlands  of 
Scotland,  the  Hebrides,  and  the  nortli  and  west  of  Ireland,  but  during 
exceptionally  c(dd  seasons  it  sometimes  visits,  the  .south  of  Scotland 
and,  very  rarely,  England.  It  feeds  chielly  on  mountain-hares,  grouse, 
and  ptarmigan,  oceasioiuilly  taking  lambs,  fawns,  and  young  red-deer; 
and  a  nest,  with  one  nearly  full-fledged  young  eagle,  was  found  to 
contain  nine  grouse,  four  hares,  part  of  a  lamb,  a  water-rat,  and  various 
other  I'emains.  The  nest,  a  large  platl'orni  of  sticks  and  dead  lieather, 
lined  with  tufts  of  eagle-grass  and  bits  of  Seoteli  fir,  is  usually  placed 
on  a  ledge  of  a  cliff,  some:imes  in  a  tri'i'  or,  more  rarely,  on  tlie  ground. 
Two,  or  sometimes  three,  greyish-uhite  eggs,  more  or  less  blotched  with 
rcddish-bi'own  and  lilac,  are  laid  early  in  April,  and  the  young  are  on 
tlie  wing  by  the  beginning  of  August. 

]\o?s-shire,  June. 

rrt'scnled  bij  Ciqjlain  S.  G.  Rehl  if  W-  R-  Oyilvle-Grunl ,  E.iij. 

No.  159.  FLAMINGO.     (riiaMiicopterus  roseus.) 

This  handsome  species  is  merely  an  accidental  straggler  to  the 
British  Islands  in  early  autunni,  at  wliich  season  it  likewise  wanders  to 
Germany  and  Northern  France.  It  is  distributed  over  Soutliern  Eui'ope, 
the  greater  part  of  Asia,  and  the  whole  of  Africa.  In  the  countries 
surrounding  the  Mediterranean  it  nests,  locally,  in  large  companies  on 
the  swampy  flats  near  rivers  and  lakes,  frequently  iu  the  vicinity  of  the 
coast.  Tlie  round  nest  of  mud,  slightly  hollowed  out  on  the  top,  is  built 
in  shallow  water  and  raised  a  few  inches  above  the  surface.  It  is  rarely 
a  foot  in  height  and  the  bird,  wlien  incubating,  doubles  up  its  long  legs 
beneath  it.  The  two  chalky-white  eggs  are  generally  laid  in  the  last 
week  of  May. 

Delta  of  the  Guadalquivir,  South  Spain,  May. 
Presented  by  Lord  LUJ'ord. 


197 


EXPLANATION  OF  PLATES. 


[.  Sliaw's  Kiwi  (Apleryr  (lustrulis),  frmu  a  mounted  specimen  exhiliiled  in  tlie 
Gallery  ;  showing-  the  r.ilatively  enormous  size  of  the  egg  laid  by  this 
New  Zealand  bird. 

II.  /•'///.  1.  ,\  photograph  of  the  Plate  in  Strickland  and  Melville's  '  l)odo  and  it 
Kindred,'  which  is  a  facsimile  of  Savery's  picture  of  the  Dodo  in  the  Iloyal 
Gallery  at  Berlin. 
Fiij.  2.  The  ne.arly  complete  skeleton  exhibited  in  tlie  (ialli'ry,  found  in  18G.') 
by  Mr.  George  Clarke  in  the  black  alluvial  soil  at  "  La  Mare  aux  Souges'' 
near  MahiSbourg,  Mauritius.  It  was  described  and  tigured  by  !Sir  Itichard 
Owen  in  the  Transactiims  of  the  Zoological  Society,  vi.  p.  49. 

A  dried  right-foot,  exhibited  in  the  (iallery;  received  by  tin-  I'.ritisli 
Museum  in  1781. 

III.  Group  of  Xew  Zealand  Penguins,  taken   from  specimens  exhibited  in  tlie 

Gallery'. 

IV.  A  pair  of  Putlins   (Fratercula  nrcfica)   feeding  their  young  one,  talien  from 

Group  no.  07.  illustrating  tin'  Nesting-Series  of  British  Birds. 

V.  Great  Auk  {I'/diitus  iiiij/enni.f),  fmm  the  specimen  exhibited  in  the  Gallery, 
which  was  procured  at  Labradiu'  and  once  formed  part  i if  the  Lidth  de 
.Teude  OoUection. 

YI.  A  pair  of  Kentish  Plovers  {.lu/idlitin  (ih-.iaiHh-Din)  and  two  nests  containing 
respectively  three  young  birds  and  three  eggs,  from  Group  no.  Ill' 
illustrating  the  Nesting-Series  of  Hritish  Birds. 

VII.  A  pair  of  Herring  Gulls  (I,iinis  ctri/entatus)  with  their  nest  and  eggs,  taken 
from  Group  no.  ll'I  illustrating  the  Nesting-Series  of  British  Birds. 

\'III.  Sandwich  Terns  [Sterna  catitiaca)  with  their  nests  and  eggs  suriouuded  by 
plants  of  sea-campion  and  sorrel.  Taken  from  (iroup  no.  ISfi,  illustrating 
the  Nesting-Series  of  British  Birds. 

I.K.  Great  Bustards  (Oth  tanhi).  Taken  frum  the  Group  exhibited  in  one  of  the 
centre  cases  in  the  Gallery.  The  right-hand  figure  (c)  shows  the  male  in 
courting  attitude.  The  birds  yvere  mounted  by  Mr.  G.  I'ickhardt  and  are 
admirably  represented. 

X.  A  pair  of  Hoatzins  (Opisthocomns  honzhi)  with  their  nest  and  eggs,  exhibited 
in  one  of  the  centre  cases. 


198  BIRD  GALLERY, 

XI.  Sun-Iiitteni  (Euri/pi/f/a  miijiir)  raountcd  witli  outspread  winps  in  an  attitude 
the  bird  is  fond  of  nssiiiniiijr- 

Xll.  l-'ii/.  1.  Till'  Cariania  (Ciiridiiid  rristiita),  a  8iiiitk  American  bird  whose 
]io.*ition  in  tlie  Avian  System  has  given  rise  to  much  discussion.  Some 
autliors  liavt'  plact'd  it  in  tlu>  Accipitres  near  the  Secretary-Bird  (So-peii- 
Idi-iioi  sci-iii'iifiiriux},  Fill.  '-•  which  it  clo.sely  resembles  in  general  appearance 
and  in  some  of  its  habits  :  but  many  consider  that  its  proper  position  is 
with  the  Cranes. 

XIII.  Litlli'  liittern  (Aidi-/I(i  tiiiiiida),  tuki'U  from  specimen^  mounted  to  shew  tlic 
immature  bird  in  a  protective  attitude  with  the  body  drawn  up  tn  its  fullest 
extent  to  imitate  the  snrronndin|j-  reeds. 

XIN  .  'I'll''  .\ustralian  Plumed  l''gret  {Mcsiqihuyx  pluiniffrii)  in  breeding  dre.ss 
shewing  the  ''dorsal  train"  of  featheis  used  as  ornamental  plumes  and 
known  among  dealers  as  "  Ospreys.'' 

XV.  Itepresents  a  very  old  male  of  Steller's  8ea-Eagle  (lltdiavtus  pihijii'iix), 
e.xhiliitcd  in  the  Group  of  these  birds  presented  by  Mr.  Henry  Seebohu). 

X\"I.  A  female  Peregrine  Falcon  [Falco  peref/irnvs)  with  her  young.  Taken  from 
(troup  no.  15o  illu.?tratiug  the  Nesting-Series  of  British  Birds;  the  male 
is  not  included  in  the  Plate.  The  bird  beneath  the  foot  of  the  female  is  a 
Golden  Plover  in  summer  plumage. 

XVII.  Taken  from  the  Group  illustrating  the  breeding-place  of  the  Common  King- 
fisher {A/ccdo  ispida),  Nesting-Series  of  British  Birds,  no.  911.  The  birds 
perched  outside  the  entrance  formed  part  of  the  brood  and  were  respec- 
tively six  and  seven  weeks  old.  The  parent  bird  and  remaining  j-oung 
can  be  seen  in  the  case,  part  of  the  bank  having  been  removed  to  shew  the 
internal  construction  of  the  burrow. 

XVIII.  A  group  of  Indian  Ilornbills  including  a  pair  of  the  Rufous-necked  Ilorubill 
{Aceros  nep<deniis)  and  the  Ilomrai  (Dichoceros  bicorm's) ,  two  of  the  largest 
.species.  The  Plate  .shows  the  extraordinary  development  of  the  bill  in 
these  birds. 

XIX.  Fii/.  1.  The  Kaka  Parrot  {?i^fstoi-  tni'ridwiKdis)  from  New  Zealand  is  closely 
allied  to  the  Kea  {N.  not(d)llh).  The  latter  is  notorious  on  account  of  its 
habit  of  attacking  living  sheep  and  tearing  open  their  backs  to  devour  the 
kidney -fat. 
Fii/.  2.  A  male  of  the  Pennant-winged  Nightjar  (Cosinetoniis  vexilluriiis) 
which  has  the  ninth  primary  quill  enormously  lengthened.  The  bird  is 
well  known  to  most  travellers  in  Tropical  Africa,  and  presents  a  remark- 
able appearance  when  on  the  wing. 

XX.  Ttepresents  a  portion  of  the  interior  of  a  cave  in  which  a  colony  of  Esculent 
Swifts  (Cullocttlia  ftictphaga)  have  attached  their  nests.  These  are  of  the 
finest  "  white  "  quality,  so  highly  prized  by  the  Chinese  for  making  Birds'- 
nest  soup. 

XXI.  A  pair  of  Greater  Spotted  ^^'oodpeckers  {Dendrocopus  mnjor)  with  their 
nesting-hole  and  young.  Taken  from  Group  no.  78  illustrating  the  Nesting- 
Series  of  British  Birds. 


EXPLANATFOX  OF  PLATES.  199 

XXII.  A  ffroiip  of  "Parasitic  liirds"  which  place  their  eg-gs  in  the  nests  of  other 
species  and  leave  their  young-  to  be  brmight  up  by  the  foster-parents. 
Fi(/.  \.  A  pair  nf  the  Common  Cuckoo  (CuviiIkx  ciiiinnis). 
l-'ii/.  1'.  A  ]iair  of  Cow-birds  {Molof/inif  Iniiinricnfiis). 
Ft(j.  :i.  A  pair  of  Bobolinks  (TjoHc/ioni/.r  nn/zlrDrux). 

Tlie  two  latter  brlouL"-  lo  the  Ann-rican  family  of  IlauL'-nest^  (Irtt-ridie). 

X.XIil.  Fii/.  1.  A  pair  of  (he  Australian  ]-yre-bird  (Meiiiira  siijur/iri)  shewing  the 
extraordinary  development  of  the  tail  in  the  male. 
l-'ii/.  '2.  X  pair  of  the  Hardener  Bower-liird  {Amiilyvniis  iii(iniii/ii)  from  New 
(.(ninea.  These  birds  are  remarkable  for  their  architectural  skill  and  the 
{esthetic  taste  they  display  in  preparing-  their  playing-  grounds.  They  build 
a  miniature  cabin  made  of  diflerent  n-.osses.  surrounded  by  a  perfectly-kept 
meadow  of  moss  and  studded  with  biilliantly  coloured  flowers,  fruits  and 
insects,  which  as  they  become  faded  are  constantlv  replaced. 

X.\l\'.  .\  skeleton  of  the  Iceland  Falcon  (llu'rufalio  isUtnilus)  to  shew  the  various 
bones  referred  to  iu  the  Appendix  on  the  Structure  of  Birds. 


:i()l 


AVPENDIX  ON  THE  STRUCTURE  OF  BIRDS. 


[The  specimens  illustrative  of  this  subject  are  set  out  chiefly  in  the 
recess  No.  4  of  the  Central  Hall.  ] 

The  Class  Birds — Avcs — may  be  briefly  characterised  as  warm- 
blooded, egg -laying  (oviparous),  vertebrate  animals,  covered  with 
feathers  and  having  the  fore-limbs  modified  into  wings.  Of  these 
characters,  the  covering  of  featbers  is  alone  sufbcient  to  distinguish 
Birds  from  all  other  animals. 

Feathers  [Eigs.  I.-IIU.] — The  featbers  of  Birds  correspond  to 
tbe  scales  of  Reptiles.  A  typical  feather  consists  of  a  long  tapering 
shaft  or  stem  (rhachis)  (tig.  ill.  1),  bearing  on  each  side  for  tbe 
greater  part  of  its  lengtli  a  broad  elastic  web  or  vane  (2).  The  part  of 
the  shaft  to  wbich  tbe  vanes  arc  attached  is  four-sided,  solid,  grooved 
along  its  uiuler  surface,  and  very  pliant.  Below  the  vane,  the  stem  is 
hollow  and  transparent,  and  known  as  the  "quill"  or  calainus  (3).  The 
vane  is  made  \x\)  of  a  number  of  flattened  plates  know  as  barbs  or  rami 
(tig.  Iir.  1)  set  obliquely  on  the  shaft  and  held  together  by  a  very 
conqjlex  arrangement  of  interlocking  processes  called  barbules  or 
radii  (fig.  HI'.  2).  Where  these  barbules  are  perfectly  developed 
and  unite  tbe  barbs,  the  vane  forms  a  continuous  web,  able  to 
withstand  the  resistance  of  tbe  air  encountered  during  flight,  and 
more  or  less  inqjervious  to  water.  In  flightless  birds  the  barbules 
are  degenerate,  and  tbe  barbs  of  the  feathers  being  no  longer  held 
together  arc  said  to  be  discontinuous,  as  in  the  Ostrich-tribe^  or  in  the 
tail-feathers  of  the  Lyre-bird. 

In  mauv  feathers  a  small  shaft  bearing  a  discontinuous  vane  is  found 
attached  to  the  base  of  the  under  surface  of  the  shaft  where  it  passes 
into  the  quill.  This  is  called  the  after-shaft  [hyporhucMs)  (fig.  III.  4). 
In  the  Cassowaries  and  Emus  among  tbe  Ostrieh-tribe,  and  in  the 
feathers  of  some  nestling  birds,  this  aftershaft  equals  the  main  shaft  in 
size. 

Five  kinds  of  feathers  may  be  distinguished,  viz. : — Contour-feathers, 
Semiplumes,  Down-feathers,  Filo-plunies,  and  Powder-dowu  feathers. 

Contour-feathers  are  those  which,  as  their  name  implies,  determine 
the  outline  of  the  body,  that  is  to  say,  they  are  all  that  meet  the  eye  in 
the  living  bird.  Those  covering  the  head  and  body  are  more  or  less 
firm  in  structure  and  have  continuous  vanes  ;  those  of  the  wings  and 

p 


202 


BIRD  GALM:in'. 

I'V.  1. 


( 

1. 
->_ 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 
10. 
11. 
12, 


)iitline  figure  of  the  Topograjihy  of  a  Bird.     Common  Francoliii  (Frainn/iiiiis 

^yan-juiiiiiis). 

13.  Tail-feathers  (Rectrices). 

14.  I'rimaries     I  Quills  or  tiight- 
lo.  Secondaries  1         feathers. 

I  16.  Major  wiufi-coverts. 

I  17.  Median  winn--coverts. 


Forehead. 

Crown. 

Nape. 

Ear-coverts. 

Lores. 

Throat. 

Neck. 

Interscapular  region  (mantlej. 

Scapulars. 

Back. 

Rump, 

Upper  tail-eoverts. 


I 


18.  Minor  wing-coverts. 

19.  Under  tail-coverts. 
'20.  Abdomen. 

21.  Fiauk.s. 

22.  Breast. 

23.  Crop. 

24.  Tarso-melatarsus. 


APPENDIX. 


203 


Tiff.  Tl. 


TTpper  surfnce  r,f  Riglit  Wing-  of  a  Bivd  extendL-cl  lo  show  the  relati.jiis  between  the 
•.,.,.  tlifrht-feathei's  anil  coverts. 


i.  Primaries     \  Rg„jig.^,. 
2.  Secondai'ies  1 
;i.  Major  coverts  of  primaries. 
4.  Major  coverts  of  secondaries. 
a.  Median  coverts. 


li.  Minor  coverts. 

7.  Marginal  coverts. 

8.  Remiges  of  bastard  wing, 
ii.  Scapulars. 


J'iw.  III. 


Under  surface  of  Contour-feather  showing  after-shaft. 


1.  Shaft  (Machis). 

2.  Vane. 


3.  Quill  (Calamus). 

4.  .Vfter-shaft  {Hiiporhachis). 


201 


])iii^-nan  t^Uo-vvinti-  (1)  section  oi'barb.'s  (rtniii)  ,11. d  (-,  3)  interlocking 
barbules  (ndlii). 


tail,  in  birds  wliicli  possess  full  powers  of  fliglit,  are  always  well- 
doveloped  and  conspicuouslj'  large  (p.  203) . 

Seniipluinen  are  degenerate  contour-feathers  and  have  discontinuous 
vanes.  Sometimes  they  are  of  great  size  and  beauty  and  are  accordingly 
nuicli  prized  for  decorative  purposes.  For  instance  "Marabou"  feathers 
arc  the  sciuiplumcs  of  the  Marabou  and  Adjutant-Storks. 

Dovjn-J'eatlicrfi  arc  very  delicate  in  structure,  the  shaft,  when  present, 
being  very  short  and  weak,  whilst  the  barbs  are  long  and  fragile. 
They  are  almost  always  hidden  below  the  contour-feathers,  but  arc 
occasionally  exposed  and  form  the  ruff'  round  the  neck  of  the  Condor 
and  certain  N'ultures.  In  water-birds  these  feathers  form  a  thick  under- 
clothing recalling  the  under-fur  of  Mammals,  and  often,  as  in  the 
Swans  and  Eidcr-Ducks,  have  a  considerable  commercial  value.  Some 
birds,  such  as  the  Game-birds,  Pigeons,  and  Hornbills,  have  no 
down-feathers. 

Filo-plunies  are  long  hair-like  feathers  bearing  a  minute  vane  at  the 
ti(),  and  occur  in  clusters  round  the  bases  of  the  contour-feathers.  In 
some  birds,  for  instance  in  the  Cormoi'ants,  they  appear  on  the  surface 
of  certain  parts  of  the  body,  notably  on  the  head  and  neck. 

Powder-dovm  feat/iers-  occur  only  in  a  few  groups  of  birds,  either 
sj>arsely  scattered  over  the  body,  as  in  Parrots  and  certain  Hawks,  or  in 
patches  on  tlie  breast  and  thighs,  as  in  the  Herons.  They  are  remark- 
able for  their  extreme  friability,  constantly  breaking  up  at  their  tips 
into  a  fine  powder,  which  feels  smooth  and  almost  greasy  to  the  touch. 
Nothing  is  known  concerning  the  develoinncnt  or  use  of  these  extra- 
ordinary feathers. 

The  long  stiff  bristles,  which  occur  round  the  mouth  of  certain  birds, 
such  as  the  Nightjars,  or  form  eyelashes  in  others,  for  instance  in  the 
Ostrich  and  Grouud-Hornbill,  and  the  peculiar  tuft  which  hangs  from 
tlie  breast  of  the  Turkey,  are  degenerate  contour-feathci's,  which  have 
lost  their  vanes. 


ATPEXDIX.  205 

Except  ill  tlic  Penguins,  tlie  feathers  of  a  bird  are  never  evenly 
distributed  over  the  body,  but  arc  arranged  in  long  rows  or  tracts 
'  [pteri/he)  separated  by  more  or  less  wide  spaces  (upteria).  Tn  tliose 
birds  wliicli  liave  no  down  tlie  spaces  may  be  seen  at  once  by  raising  tlie 
contour-feathers.  Tlic  form  and  arrangement  of  tliese  tracts  and  spaces 
are  definite,  and  cliaracteristic  of  whole  families  or  orders  of  birds,  and 
are  important  for  purposes  of  classification. 

The  contour-feathers  of  the  head  and  body  overlap  one  another, 
and  their  arrangement  resembles  that  of  the  scales  iu  a  reptile  or  fish. 
The  large  feathers,  which  fringe  the  hinder  border  of  the  wing  and 
those  of  the  tail  have  a  peculiar  arrangement.  The  former,  called 
the  flight-feathers  {remiges)  (fig.  II.  1  &  '2),  overlap  one  another 
laterally,  so  that  their  free  edges  face  outwards,  towards  the  front  of 
the  extended  wing.  They  are  divided  into  two  scries,  primaries  and 
xecoinlaries.  The  primary  quills  are  closely  attached  to  the  bones  of 
the  hand  and  vary  in  number  from  nine  to  twelve ;  while  the  secondary 
quills  extend  from  the  wrist  inwards  to  the  elbow-joint,  and  vary  from 
six  (Humming-birds  and  Swifts)  to  thirty-seveu  (Albatros). 

Tlie  large  quills  of  the  tail  {rectrices)  (fig.  I.  13)  serve  for  steering 
purposes.  They  rise  like  the  ribs  of  a  fan,  from  a  common  base  formed 
by  the  last  boue  of  the  vertebral  column. 

Cover},};/  of  Beak  and  Feet  [Figs.  IV.,  VIII.  &  IX.]— The  beak  is 
always,  and  the  feet  arc  usually,  devoid  of  feathers,  and  encased  in  a 
horny  covering.  The  beak  is  formed  by  the  prolongation  of  the  jaws, 
which  in  modern  birds  never  bear  teeth,  and  its  sheath  [rhamphotheca) 
is  either  formed  of  a  single  piece  or  made  up  of  numerous  separate 
elements,  when  it  is  said  to  be  compound.  In  some  birds,  such  as 
the  Puffins,  parts  of  the  beak  arc  jicriodically  shed.  The  horny 
covering  of  the  feet  {poilothecu)  is  generally  made  up  of  numerous 
small  pieces  which  take  the  form  of  overlapping  plates  or  scales 
(fig.  IV.  .-,,  G). 

Oil-yland. — With  few  exceptions,  birds  have  a  singular  apparatus 
for  secreting  oil  situated  on  the  root  of  the  tail.  With  the  beak  they 
press  out  a  drop  of  oil  from  this  gland,  to  luliricatc  and  polish  their 
plumage. 

Muult. — The  renewal  of  plumage  is  a  process  familiar  to  all  under 
the  term  "moult"  [ecdysis).  It  occurs  at  least  once  a  year,  and 
generally  twice,  in  the  spring  and  autumn,  when  the  old  worn-out 
feathers  are  shed  and  replaced  by  new  ones.  The  spring  moult  only 
affects  the  smaller  feathers,  but  in  autumn  the  change  is  complete,  and 
generally  results  in  considerable  differences  of  colour  constituting  the 
"seasonal  plumages"  of  so  many  birds,  such  as  the  Grebes,  Divers,  and 
Weaver-Finches. 


206 


UlRl)   CALI.KHV. 


Colour. — The  coluiir  of  leathers  is  due  to  one  of  three  causes.  : — 
(1 )  It  may  arise  frt)ni  tlie  pi'esence  of  actual  pigment,  (2)  from  pigment 
overlaid  by  colourless  structures,  or  (3)  from  irideseeuee  due  to  the  (-fleet 
of  light  falling  on  tlic  polished,  ridircd  or  pitted  surfaces  of  the  feather 
which  act  as  piisms.  .   ,  ■    . 

Vvs.  IV.  .      '    •   '  -.,  . 


Side  view  of  HiplU  Foot  of  a  Piirplu  (Jiilliuuli/  (Poi-phi/riu)  to  sliovv  tlie 
composition  of  the  lioniy  coveriug  (pudot/iecd). 

1 .  Hallux  ur  hind  toe. 

2.  Inner  toe. 

3.  Middle  loe. 


4.  Outer  toe. 

o.  Scales  (,Sciitr//fe). 

(i.  Ueticulate  sciiles. 


Yellow  colour,  like  black,  brown  and  red,  is  as  a  rule  due  to  pigment 
diffused  througliout  the  substance  of  the  feather.  Some  yellow  feathers, 
however,  contain   no   pigmeut   whatever,  the   colour   being  due  to   the 


APPENDIX. 


207 


reflection  of  light  from  various  ridges  and  furrows  on  the  surface  of  the 
feather.  In  other  cases  the  yellow  colour,  like  violet,  blue  and  some 
browns,  is  due  to  pigment  in  the  deeper  layers  of  the  feathers  combined 
with  peculiar  structural  modifications  of  the  upper  colorless  layers. 

Turacin  is  a  remarkable  crimson  pigment  found  only  in  the  flight- 
feathers  of  the  Touracos  (p.  100). 

Bine  is  never  found  as  a  separate  pigment  in  feathers,  and  green  only 
in  the  case  of  the  Touracos  (p.  100).  These  colours  are  formed  by  the 
combination  of  the  underlying  yellow,  orange  or  brown  pigment  with 
the  specially  modified  outer  layers  of  the  feather  fi-om  which  the  light 
is  refracted. 

Metallic  colours  arc  those  which  change  according  to  the  relative 
position  of  the  spectator's  eye  and  the  light.  Their  prismatic  properties 
are  partly  due  to  a  dark  In-own  pigment  and  partly  to  the  structure  of 
the  barbulcs  of  the  feather  which  take  the  form  of  a  series  of  overlapping 
compartments. 

White  is  never  due  to  pigment  and  is  produced  by  structural  peculia- 
rities of  the  feather. 

Heart. — The  heart  of  Birds,  as  in  Mammalia,  consists  of  two  completely 
separated  halves,  each  of  which  is  again  divided  into  an  upper  chamber, 
the  auricle,  and  a  lower,  the  ventricle.  The  blood  maintains  a  high  and 
uniform  temperature  (from  100°  (Gull)  to  112"  (Swallow)),  exceeding 
that  of  mammals  by  from  8°  to  14°.  This  high  temperature  permits  of 
no  intermission  of  the  energy  of  the  vital  functions  in  cold  weather.  No 
Bird,  therefore,  hibernates  as  do  certain  mammals,  but  such  kinds  as  are 
unable  to  obtain  their  food  during  the  winter  season  are  obliged  to 
migrate  to  milder  climates. 

Lungs. — Tlie  lungs  are  very  spongy  in  texture  and  closelyattachcd  to  the 
roof  of  the  thoracic  region  of  the  body-cavity. 

Air-sacs. — The  bronchial  tubes,  which  form  the  termination  of  the 
windpipe,  after  ramifying  through  the  lungs,  open  into  certain  thin- 
walled  receptacles  known  as  the  air-sacs.  These  lie  along  the  roof 
and  upper  portion  of  the  side-walls  of  the  body-cavity  and  arc  filled  with 
ail-,  which  is  drawn  from  the  lungs.  There  are  five  pairs  of  these  sacs 
in  the  body-cavity,  and  they  not  only  assist  in  the  ventilation  of  the 
luugs  but  serve  as  reservoirs  of  air  to  iucrease  the  voice  daring  long- 
sustained  singing,  as  in  the  Sky-Lark. 

Additional  air-sacs  in  connection  with  the  nasal  passages  and  with  the 
mouth  occur  in  some  Birds  and  serve  as  sexual  ornaments.  Such  are 
the  throat-pouches  of  the  Adjutant-Stork  and  Bustard .  [ Cf.  preparation 
in  Case  29.]  Further,  numerous  Birds  possess  smaller  air-sacs  more 
or  less  directly  connected  with  the  lungs,  penetrating  many  (and  lu 
some  cases  all)  of  the  bones  of  the  skeleton ;  wiiilc  in  a  few  Birds,  such  as 


208 


1)11(1)  GALLKltV. 


the  Ganuets  and  Screamers,  these  sacs  also  penetrate  between  the  muscles 
ami  beneath  the  skin.  The  bones  whicli  contain  these  air-sacs  are 
liollow  or  i)neumatic  and  consequently  have  no  marrow.  In  the  Albatrose.s, 
Gannets  and  Pelicans,  which  possess  great  powers  of  flight,  almost  every 
bone  in  the  body  becomes  pneumatic,  but  the  Swifts  and  Swallows,  which 
possess  equal  powers,  have  the  long  bones  filled  with  marrow.  So  also 
have  Penguins,  Grebes,  Divers,  and  the  smaller  Petrels. 

Skeleton  [Plate  XXIV.  Figs.  V.-VII.].— As  regards  tlie  details  of  the 
structure  of  the  Birds'  skeleton,  wc  can  only  refer  here  to  those  points 
which  are  either  generally  characteristic  of  the  Class  or  which  are 
strikingly  correlated  to  the  peculiarities  of  their  life.  The  bones  of  the 
cranium  (PI.  XXIV.  fig.  V.  1)  become  united   (coalesce)  early  in  life, 

Fi-.  VIII. 


Head  ol'.n  l'"alcoii  (Hiififalco  i.<hin<Iiix)  to  show  (1)  iiupoivious  nostrils, 
.inil  ('2)  tooth-like  process  of  the  bill. 

Fi-  IX. 


Head  ol'thc  IMaelc  '^ul■liey-^'llltul•e  (Vnthuriste^  iinibu)  to  show  (1 )  pervious  nostrils. 

about  the  period  when  growth  ceases,  so  that  the  sutures  between  the 
tiones,  which  are  persistent  for  so  long  a  period  in  the  Mammalian  and 
also  in  the  Reptilian  skull,  disappear  entirely.  As  in  Reptiles,  the  skull 
is  joined  with  the  neck  by  means  of  a  single  hinge  or  condyle  (fig.A^I.  1). 
The  orbits  are  of  very  large  size  in  accordance  with  the  great  development 
of  the  eye  (fig.  V.  4).  The  facial  bones  are  more  or  less  prolonged  and 
united  to  form  tlie  beak,  wliich  is  covered  with  a  horny  sheath,  tlic  edges 
of  which  may  be  notched  (Barbets  and  Falcons)  (fig.  VIII.  2)  or  serrated 
(Mergansers),  but  teeth  are  invariably  absent  in  living  forms.  The 
external  nostrils  are  either  pervious  (fig.  IX.  1)  or  separated  from  one 


Ari'KNDix.  :M[> 

another  by  a  septum  (tij>-.  Vlll.  1).  Tlic  bones  olthe  palate  (lig.  IV.  2) 
present  four  distinct  types  of  structure,  whicli  are  of  considerable 
importance  for  iiurposes  of  classification.  The  ditfeiences  between  the 
four  types  may  be  studied  in  the  recess  No.  4^  of  the  Central  Hall  and 
in  the  window-case  illustrating  the  classification  of  the  Carinatce.  The 
lower  jaw  is  suspended  from  the  skull  by  means  of  a  movable  bouc  known 
as  the  quadrate  (fig.  V.  2).  The  two  halves  of  the  lower  jaw  (fig.  A  .  3) 
are  united  in  front,  forming  a  symphysis,  and  are  covered  with  a  bony 
sheath  in  front,  like  the  upper  jaw. 

In  the  vertebral  column  four  divisions  may  be  distinguished,  viz. 
the  cervical,  thoracic,  synsacral,  and  caudal.  (])  The  cervical  or  lu'ck 
division  (fig.  V.  ."»)  possesses  an  extraordinary  degree  of  fiexibility, 
which  is  necessary  owing  to  the  anterior  limbs  having  become  exciusively 
organs  of  locomotion,  and  most  of  the  complicated  movements  executed 
by  those  limbs  in  Alammals  and  Reptiles  have  to  Ije  performed  in  J5irds 
by  the  bill.  The  uumljcr  of  vertebr;c  of  this  division  varies  from  eight 
to  twenty-three.  (2)  In  many  birds  the  thoracic  vertebne  (fig.  V.  G)  are 
fused  aud  form  a  solid  bar  of  bone.  This  condition  is  not  necessarily  con- 
nected with  strong  powers  of  flight,  for  though  found  in  all  Falcons  it  does 
not  occur  in  Eagles,  in  which  the  vcrtebr;e  arc  free.  (3)  Thesynsacrum 
(fig.  V.  7)  is  a  long  bone,  generally  formed  of  the  last  thoracic  vertebra 
and  the  united  lumbar,  sacral,  and  anterior  caudal  vertebne,  to  which  the 
iliac  bon(>s  are  immovably  attached.  Although  only  two  of  the  segments 
of  this  series  of  fused  vertebne  can  be  regarded  as  true  sacrals,  the  whole 
series  is  sometimes  described  as  the  sacrum  and  varies  in  number  from 
I'leven  to  twenty.  (4)  Of  free  or  movable  caudal  vertebne  (fig.  \'.  8 ) 
there  are  eight  or  ten,  the  last  being  remarkable  for  its  size,  shape,  and 
function.  From  its  shape  it  has  been  called  the  ploughshare- bone 
{pi/(/osti/le).  An  examination  of  very  young  birds  shows  that  in  early 
life  it  is  composed  ot  ii'om  four  to  ten  free  vertebne  which  become 
completely  fused  together  in  the  adult,  and  form  the  single  bone  which 
supports  the  tail-feathers  aud  to  which  strong  muscles  are  attached. 
Thus,  although  the  tail  of  a  typical  adult  bird  is  apparently  reduced  to 
a  short  series  of  a  few  segments  well  adapted  for  the  e.xecutiou  of 
powerful  movements,  embryology  shows  that  originally  this  portion  of 
the  vertebral  column  is  very  much  longer.  For  instance,  in  the  young 
Swan  it  consists  of  not  less  than  twenty-seven  vertebras,  a  condition  which 
considerably  lessens  the  apparently  great  difiereuce  between  the  tail  ot 
an  adult  Swan  and  that  of  a  Reptile  or  Archceoptenjx. 

All  the  thoracic  and  some  of  the  posterior  cervical  vertebrae  bear 
movable  ribs  (fig.  V.  9),  their  conueetioa  with  tlie  sternum  being  effected 
by  means  of  short  sternal  ribs  (fig.  V.  10).  In  order  to  strengthen  the 
thorax,  the  ribs  are  connected  with  one  another  by  bony  spurs   known 


210  BIHn   OALLEKY. 

as  tlie  uncinate  processes  (fig.  V.  11  &  fig.  VII.  1).  These  arc  flat 
blade-shaped  boues  attaclicd  to  tiie  middle  of  one  rib  and  sliding  over 
the  outer  surface  of  that  immediately  bchiud  it. 

The  breast-bone  or  stenumi  (fig.  A  .  12)  is  a  large,  broad,  more  or  less 
convex  bone  which  protects  not  only  the  thorax,  but  also  a  part  of  the 
abdomen.  In  all  birds  in  which  the  fore-limbs  act  as  the  principal 
organs  of  locomotion,  this  breast-bone  is  provided  with  a  deep  crest 
or  keel  (13)  for  the  attachment  of  the  muscles  of  flight.  In  proportion 
as  the  power  of  flight  is  diminished,  this  crest  becomes  less  prominent 
and  may  disappear  altogether. 

The  pectoral  arch  or  shoulder-girdle  consists  of  three  pairs  of  boues — • 
the  pillar-like  coracoids  (14),  the  scapidars  or  shoulder-i)lades  (15), 
which  are  narrow  and  sabre-shaped,  and  the  clavicles  or  collar-bones 
(IG),  -which  arc  generally  united  at  their  lower  end  and  form  a 
V-shaped  bone,  the  furadn,  commonly  known  as  the  "  merry-thought." 
The  principal  support  of  the  attachment  of  the  wing  to  the  trunk  is  the 
coracoid,  which  is  l)roadly  joined  to  the  anterior  extremity  of  the 
sternum  and  forms,  together  with  the  scapula,  the  base  of  attaclnncnt 
for  the  liimicriis  or  upper  arm-bone.  The  fore-limb  consists  of  the 
following  parts: — the  upper  arm-bone  (/iii/iicnix)  (17),  forearm  {ii/ini 
and  radius)  (18,  19).  two  small  free  wrist-bones  (20,  21)  (carpals),  an 
elongate  hand  {airpn-niefacarjms)  (22),  and  three  fingers  (ilif/ifs).  Of 
the  latter,  the  thumls  (po/lcv)  (23)  is  a  single  styliform  bone  joined  to  the 
first  metacarpal  and  bearing  the  so-called  "  bastard-wing  "  (fig.  II.  8) ; 
the  second  or  index-finger  (24)  is  tlie  longest,  composed  of  two  or 
three  joints,  and  forms  the  extremity  of  the  wing,  while  of  the  third 
(25)  there  is  only  a  vestige.  The  thumb  and  index  digit  are  sometimes 
furnished  with  a  claw. 

The  pelvis  of  Birds  is  open  in  front,  a  union  or  symphysis  of  the 
pubic  bones  (2(!)  occurring  only  in  the  Ostriches.  The  slinpe  of  the 
pelvis  is  remarkable  from  the  great  forward  prolongation  of  the  iliac 
bones  (27),  which  may  extend  forwards  on  to  the  ribs.  The  acetabulum 
or  socket  for  the  articulation  of  the  hind  liml)  occupies  a  position  about 
half  way  between  the  extremities  of  the  pelvis;  the  centre  of  the  cavity 
is  unossified  and  appears  as  a  round  perforation. 

The  hind  limb  consists  of  the  following  parts  : — the  thigh-bone 
{fomiir){2i)) ;  lower  leg  (composed  of  the  united  tibi/i  nud  fibu/n  (30,31),  to 
which  are  fused  tlie  proximal  elements  of  the  ankle  or  tarsus)  ;  the  foot 
{farsD-mctatavsus  (32),  composed  of  the  distal  elements  of  the  tarsus 
fused  with  the  metatarsus  and  forming  a  long  bone,  generally  though 
incorrectly  called  the  leg)  ;  and  normally  four  toes  [digits).  The  most 
characteristic  bone  of  the  leg  is  the  tarsu-riietatursas,  which  terminates 
in  three  articular  heads  for  the  attachment  of  the  three  front  toes  in  the 


APPENDIX.  211 

nKijority  of  15inl>.,  the  first  toe  {/i a l/i/x)  (34),  which  is  directed  back- 
wards, being  articulated  witli  a  sliort  sc[)arate  metatarsal  (33).  The 
minihor  of  joints  of  which  tlie  toes  are  composed  increases  from  within 
ontwards,  from  the  first  or  hind  toe  possessing  two  to  the  outermost 
(37)  which  has  five. 

This  general  description  of  the  skeleton  does  not  apply  in  every 
detail  to  all  groups  of  Birds ;  some  of  them,  especially  the  Ostrich-tribe, 
showing  modifications  of  certain  parts,  the  most  important  of  which 
will  be  found  exhibited  in  a  special  Case  in  the  Gallery. 

Brniii. — The  bi'ain  is  much  more  developed  in  Birds  than  it  is  in 
Keptilcs,  and  entirely  fills  the  spacious  cranial  cavity. 

/,'//('. — The  power  of  vision  is  perhaps  more  developed  in  Birds  than 
in  any  other  vertebrate.  The  eyes  are  always  of  large  size  and  pro- 
tected by  two  movable  eyelids  as  well  as  a  transparent  iiieiiibrnua 
iiictifaiis.  The  eyeball  is  strengthened  by  a  broad  ring  of  overlapping 
bony  plates  (PI.  XXH".  fig.  VI"^.)  which  enables  the  bird  to  focus 
distant  objects,  and  acts  as  a  telescope. 

Jiiir. — The  sense  of  hearing  is  verj-  acute,  but  no  external  ear  is 
developed,  and  the  opening  is  hidden  by  the  plumage. 

Sine//,  Taste,  and  Tuuch. — The  senses  of  smell,  taste,  and  touch  are 
much  more  imperfect,  but  some  Birds  possess  one  or  other  of  these  senses 
in  a  higher  degree  than  the  rest ;  for  instance,  that  of  smell  in  the 
Aji/rr;/.v,  that  of  taste  in  the  Parrots,  and  that  of  touch  in  the  Snipes 
and  Ducks. 

D'ljji'stice  Sijstcni. — With  regard  to  the  digestive  system,  it  has  already 
been  noticed  that  teeth  are  invariably  absent  in  existing  birds,  but  were 
present  in  certain  types  of  the  Jurassic  and  Cretaceous  periods.  The 
beak  and  the  generally  slender  horny  tongue  are  the  organs  of  pre- 
hension, the  former  being  frequently  used  to  divide  the  food  into  small 
pieces. 

The  gullet  is  long,  like  the  neck,  and  generally  dilated  into  a  crop, 
where  the  food  is  stored,  detained,  and  softened  for  a  longer  or  shorter 
period.  Before  entering  the  stomach  or  gizzard,  the  gullet  forms  a 
second  dilatation  with  thickened  walls,  known  as  the  proveniriculus,  in 
wliicli  numerous  glands  secreting  the  gastric  juices  are  lodged.  In  this 
antechamber  the  food  is  subjected  to  the  chemical  action  of  the 
digestive  process,  whilst  the  stomach  proper  fulfils  only  a  mechanical 
function.  In  birds  feeding  on  vegetables,  grain,  etc.,  the  walls  of  the 
stomach  are  extremely  muscular,  with  a  thick  horny  lining,  which 
(assisted  by  small  pebbles,  purposely  swallowed  by  the  bird)  forms  a 
grinding  apparatus  capable  of  crushing  the  hardest  seeds  to  pulp.  In 
flesh-eating  birds  the  stomach  has  thin  walls  and  is  much  more 
capacious. 


■n-2 


iini)  (I ai.],i:kv. 


() 


The  intestinal  Ccanal  terminates  iu  a  c/oarii  or  cavity  tliruui;h  which 
the  i)rotlucts  of  tlie  uro-genital  organs  also  pass. 

Trurhcn  or  U'iiuljjipe. — Finally,  as  an  important  anatomical  peculiarity 
of  this  class  of  Vertebrates,  wc  liave  to  mention  that  the  trachea  or 
windpipe  is  composed  of  a  scries  of  entire  osseous  rings.  The  organ 
f  voice  is  n(jt  the  larynx  as  in  mammals,  but  is  formed  by  a  peculiar 
modification  of  the  lower  end  of  the  windpipe  called  the  syrinx.  The 
syrinx  may  be  formed  either  by  the  trachea  or  by  the  bronchi  oulj',  but 
most  commonly  the  lowest  rings  of  the  trachea  as  well  as  bronchi 
participate  in  its  formation.  The  modifications  of  the  voice  or  song  of 
a  bird  are  regulated  by  a  \mY  of  "extrinsic"  and,  in  the  Song- 
JSirds,  several  pairs  of  "  intrinsic  "  muscles.  The  former,  possessed 
by  all  birds,  generally  pass  from  the  trachea  to  the  sternum  and 
pirciila.  The  intrinsic  muscles  may  be  absent  or  represented  by  five 
or  seven  pairs.  These  differences  afford  important  characters  for  the 
purpose  of  classifying  certain  orders  of  Birds  [rf.  p.  107). 

Nest  unit  Eyys. — Birds  arc,  without  exception,  oviparous.  The 
majority  deposit  their  eggs  in  a  nest  which  they  specially  prejiare  for 
their  reception.  Incubation  lasts  for  a  shorter  or  longer  period  and 
varies  from  1 1  to  5(5  days. 

The  eggs  are  on  the  whole  fewer  in  number  than  is  the  case  in 
Reptiles;  they  possess  a  large  amount  of  yolk  and  arc  invested  with 
a  hard  porous  calcareous  shell. 

Youny. — The  J'oung  when  hatched  ditfer  gieatly  iu  the  relative 
degree  of  development  which  they  have  attained.  In  the  most  primi- 
tive condition  the  nestling  emerges  from  the  shell  clothed  in  down  and 
capable  of  considerable  activity,  Ijut  in  the  most  specialized  it  is  blind, 
naked  and  helpless  when  hatched,  and  requires  to  be  fed  and  cared  for 
by  its  parents  for  some  time. 

Meittiil  Fdcidties. — With  regard  to  their  mental  faculties.  Birds  as  a 
class  seem  to  occupy  a  position  intermediate  between  Mammals  and 
Beptiles.  Intelligence  of  a  high  order  manifests  itself  in  their  social 
relations  with  one  another  and  in  their  various  methods  of  obtaining 
food.  These  faculties  are  still  more  developed  in  individuals  which 
come  iu  contact  or  live  with  man. 

Miyruthiii . — The  ditticulty  or  impossibility  of  obtaining  food  when 
the  cold  of  winter  destroys  insect-life,  or  snow  hides  seed  or  other 
vegetable  nourishment,  compels  most  birds  to  leave  the  locality  where 
they  breed.  Those  which  are  stationary  or  range  over  only  a  limited 
extent  of  country  in  search  of  food  ai'e  termed,  resident  Inrds.  Their 
movements  are  of  an  uncertain,  erratic  nature,  and  depend  on  external 
and  atmospheric  conditions.  But  others,  as  soon  as  food  becomes 
scarce,   following  a  common   impulse,  luigi'atc  at   lixed  times   and  by 


APPENDIX. 


213 


ascertained  routes  far  away  from  the-  place  of  their  l/irth  into  mihler 
or  tropical  climates.  Recent  observations  tend  to  show  that  the  farther 
north  a  species  breeds  iu  tlie  Northern  Hemisphere,  the  higher  is  tlie 
southern  latitude  iu  Avhich  it  passes  the  northern  winter.  Immense 
distances  are  thus  tiaversed  by  some  migrants  t^  ice  in  every  year,  in 
their  northern  and  southern  movements. 

Geoloyicul  History. —Owr  knowledge  of  the  geological  history  of  Birds 
is  very  scanty.  The  oldest  known  bird  from  Jurassic  formations  is  the 
remarkable  Archoeopteryx,  which  has  a  long  tail  furnished  with  a  row  of 
feathers  on  each  side.  A  number  of  swimming  and  wading  Birds  lived 
in  the  Cretaceous  period,  and  in  some  of  these  the  jaws  were  furnished 
with  teeth.  Among  the  Tertiary  Birds  there  are  many  forms  widely 
different  from  those  now  living,  but  they  are  associated  with  nearly 
all  the  principal  types  now  in  existence.  The  majority  occur  in 
Miocene  formations.  For  further  particulars  the  reader  is  referred  to 
the  Guide  to  the  Geological  Gallery. 

The  number  of  species  of  Birds  at  present  known  to  exist  may  be 
computed  at  about  thirteen  thousand. 


214 


BIRD  GALLIMIY. 


I'i.ateXXIV.  Fig.  V.  .  .     ' 

Left  .'iide  view  of  the  Skeleton  of  a  Bird.     Iceland  Falcon  { Hierofnlcu  islmidns). 


1.  Cranium. 

13. 

Keel  of  sternum. 

2.  Quadrate. 

14. 

Coracoid. 

.'i.  Mandible. 

10. 

Scapula. 

4.  Orbit. 

in. 

Furcula.            .    . 

5.  Cervical  veitobi'a;. 

17. 

Humerus. 

0.  Thoracic  vertebra;. 

is. 

llhia. 

7.  Synsacral  vertebra; 

1!). 

Ii.adius. 

[hidden  in  a  side  view  of 

L'O. 

Radial  Carpal. 

the    skeleton    by    thi; 

•2\. 

Ulnar  Carpal. 

iliac  bones]. 

22. 

Carpo-metacarpus. 

H.  Caudal  vertebr.ie. 

23. 

Polle.x. 

9.  Thoracic  rib. 

24. 

1st  Phalanx    of    2nd 

1 0.  Sternal  rib. 

diyit. 

1 1.  Uncinate  proce.ss. 

25. 

Lst    Phalan.Y    of    ord 

II'.  Steruuin. 

digit. 

2ti. 

27. 
28. 
29. 
.30. 
31. 


;;(j. 


Pubis. 
Iliuna. 
Ischium. 
Femur. 
Tibia. 
Fibula. 

Tarso-meta  tarsus. 
Metatarsal   of  diffit 
(Hallux). 

Hallux  or  hind  toe. 
Inner  or  2nd  toe. 
Middle  or  3rd  toe. 
(Juter  or  4th  toe. 


Pr. ATE  XXIV.  Fig.  VI. 

Under  surl'ace  of  the  Skull  of  a  Bird  showing  the  bones  of  the  palate  (2),  and  the 
single  occipital  condyle  (1)  for  the  articulation  of  tlie  skull  with  the  neck. 


Pi.ateXXIV.  Fig.  VU. 

Sclerotic  King  of  bony  plates 


Pl.ite  XXIV.  Fig.  VII. 

Portions  ol  three  Ribs  to  show  the  position  of  the  uncinate  processes  (I). 


PLATE    XXIV. 


Fig.  5 


Skelkton  ok  Iceland  Falcon  (Hieivfali-o  iilaiidm).     No.  943. 


INDBX. 


Abdiiiiia,  ()3. 
Aburria,  19. 
Aco.nthidusilto,  114. 
Acanthnchceru,  127. 
Acccntui;  119. 
Accentoi-,  Alpine,  119. 
Accipitr,\  7.'),  19-1. 
Accipi/rifur/iics,  4,  7*». 
Accipifrinre,  75. 
^ccras  92,  198. 
Acomiis,  2t?. 
Acrorephalits,  1 5(>. 
Acromyvdi,  6,  11  o. 
ArTyUiniit,  22. 
Afljutant.  ISI. 
.<J«/««,  l.')l. 
JSyinli/is,  178, 197. 
MiUhaluf,  123,  16;;. 
jifioilielcs,  8(1. 
Jilurcedus,  135. 
jEpyoriils,  11. 
MpijornlthidiS,  2,  1 1. 
Acroiiatitf.':,  94, 
JEihopwjtt,  12tj. 
^j-,  (it. 
Agapomis,  84. 
Agclustes,  22. 
Aglasactif,  96. 
Ajaja,  62. 
^/a«rf«,  129, 145. 
Aloudidcr,  C<,  129. 
Albatros,  Bl;iek-bi'oneil,  43. 
Albatros,  Koyal,  43. 
Albatros,  Sooty,  43. 
^Ubati'os,  Wauderiug,  43. 
Albatro-s,  White-winged,  43, 
Albatros,  Yellow-nosed,  43. 
Albatroses,  3,  43. 
j'l/ca,  46. 

^terfo,  87,  173,  198. 
Alcidd,  3,  45.  .. 

Alcyone,  87. 
Alcctoriypodes,  2,  19. 
Alectroenas,  38. 
Akctriinis,  113. 
.4^fe,  46. 

Amblyurnis,  134,  199. 
AmmoperdiXj  30. 
Ampclidie,  (i,  121. 
Ampolis,  121. 
Anarhynchits,  52. 
^«ffs,  65. 


Ana.sio,ti\i6,  62. 

Anntidte,  4,  63. 

Aiidii/i'iia,  101. 

Aiiis;  Black,  100. 

Anis,  Wliite.  100. 

JiKtrt/iiini,  118,  150. 

.]«!>«.<,  4.S. 

./««>/■,  67, 191. 

Aiisera/iiis,  67. 

Ani^rifoTtitrs,  4.  63. 

Ant^birds,  5.  108. 

.\nt-Sbrikes.  108. 

Ant-TI]ruslies,  6,  114. 

Ant-Tlirusbes,    Wattled,    0, 
114. 

Anthocichlu,  114. 

Anfh ropoides,  59. 

,lM</i«.v,  128,  145,  146,  147. 

Aiifiyonc,  59. 

Ann/iiiiiis,  109. 

Aphanapfcryx,  40. 

Aprosmictits,  84. 

Aptcnudijics,  42. 

Aptiri/ffidie.  2,  13. 

Aptcn}.i;  8,  11,  14,  197,211. 

Aqiiila,  77,  196. 

.4ra,  84. 
I   Araearis,  101. 
I    Aruchnuthera,  126. 
'    Aramidte,  4,  56. 
;    A  ramus,  .o7. 

Arhnric'ihi,  29. 

Arch(Eopteryyid(e,  2. 

Ar<-liai<pUrijx.  2,  7,  209,  213. 

Ari-hihntrn,  77. 

.4;-ifff,  60,  186. 

Ardcidce,  i,  59. 

Ardeifurines,  4,  59. 
I    Ardeijla,  60. 
I    Ardclta,  60,  198. 
I    Arennriti,  52. 
'    Argus  Pheasant,  21,  23. 

ArKus  -  Pheasant,     Bornean, 
23. 

Argus,  Eheinhardt's  Crested, 
23. 

Argnsianus,  21,  23. 

Ariam/dce,  6,  122. 

Artamides,  116. 

Ariamus,  122. 

Amcornis,  67. 

,4s/o,  82,  182. 


Afttti;  75. 

Aditrina,  76. 

Asluriniild,  77. 

Asi/iidcs/Hiif,  103. 

Ahioriiis,  SS. 

./(■/icwc,  82. 

Airichornis.  115. 

Ati'khoi-nitJildte,  6,  115. 

Alfiiyidie.  3,  50. 

.•((■(■/((S,  96. 

.4i;C(7n,  111. 

Ank,  Ancient,  46. 

Auk,  Crested,  45.  ';  • 

Auk,  Greal.  46,  197.      ;  *' 

Auk,  Little.  46.  ^'-  '' 

Auk,  Minute,  45. 

Auk,  Perroquet,  45. 

Ank,  Pigmy,  4.5. 

Auks,  3,  4.5. 

.4h/«(  vy  /•//(/  //;y>^  «s,  101. 

Arocet,  Banded,  53. 

Avocet,  Common,  .53,  175. 


Babbler,      Fluffy-backed, 

1  IS. 
Babbler.  Hairy-backed,  118. 
Babbler,  iSciiuitar,  117. 
Babblers,  6,  117. 
Ba/fPnirrpi<,i'i\.  - 

Jluliiniiipittdce,  4,  61. 
lialeariaA,  .58,  59. 
Bamboo-Pheasant,  27. 
Bamboo-Pheasant,    Chinese, 

27. 
Bam'iiisicu/a,  21,  27. 
Barhuliih,  102. 
Barbet,    Great    Himalayan, 

102. 
Barbets,  5,  101. 
Barn-Owls,  82. 
Saniardius,  84. 
Baryphihengus,  90. 
Basdeornis,  134. 
i?«<«ra,  108. 
Bateleur  Eagle,  78. 
Butrai:hostomns,  80.  -  - 

i?fi.-o,  78. 

Bee-eater,  Common,  89. 
Bee-eater,  Nubian,  89. 
Bee-ealers,  6,  89. 
Bell-bird,  110. 


:nc> 


Jiclonojilrrn.i,  b'i. 
Jjlifingii,  13y. 
Bittern,  ;i9. 
Bittern,  Asinlie,  GU. 
Bitteru.  Common,  (Up. 
Bittern,  Little,  0(1,  11)8. 
Bittern,  Sim-,  4,  .">7,  ID.s. 
Bittern,  Tiger-,  tit'. 
Bitterns,  4,  5ft. 
Iii^itmi,  04. 
Blackbird,  110,  U^S. 
Blackcap,  120,  ]."m. 
Black  Cock,  3o,  UUl. 
Black     Grouse  X  CajH-r- 

cailzie,  .31. 
Black  Grouse  X  Red  Grouse. 

33. 
Black     Grouse  X  Willow 

Grouse,  34. 
Blue-bird.  |-2t>. 
Blue-bird,  Fairy,  117. 
Blue-throat,  120. 
Boatbill,  Central    .\mcric;iii. 

()0. 
Boatswain-Bird,  72. 
Bobolink,  132,  lt)0. 
Bob-wbite,  Virginian,  20. 
Ilo/bopsit/iiciia,  84. 
Bow'^t,  33. 
Bone-breaker,  7*». 
Bouxie.  47. 
Boobies.  70. 
lioi'lniihiii,  (i2. 
llvta'iiriis.  ,')'.•,  CO. 
Bottle-Tit,  1G3. 
Bower-Bird,  Gardener,   134. 

lll'.i. 
Bower-Bird,  Newton's.  134. 
Bower-Birds.  0,  134. 
BravltiipfcraciiiKP,  88. 
Brttclii/rliaiiiitliH^,  4(>. 
Branibling,  130. 
Braiifx.  0(j. 

Broad-bill.  Dusky.  KT,. 
Broad-bill,  Horsiiold's,  101!. 
Bi'oad-bill,     Long-tailed. 

ion. 

Broad-bills,  5,  10.'>. 
Bnisli-Turkeys,     Australian. 

17. 
Biiho,  81. 
Bvbunidw,  4,  81. 
Biihii/ciis',  60. 
Biicco,  10.5. 
Bticconida,  5,  104. 
Bticcros,  92. 
Biiccro/ida,  .""',  '.'1. 
Buchanga,  133. 
Bu(Ora.i\  01. 
Budgerigar,  84. 
Bui/eriiiiiis,  50. 
Bu'lbuls,  6,  117. 
Bullfinch,  130,  142. 
Bulwrria,  44. 

Bunting,  Black-headed,  ISO. 
Bunting,  Cirl.  130. 
Bunting,    Common,     |.30, 

144. 


Bunting,  Corn-,  130,  Ml. 
Bunting,  Lapland,  130. 
Bunting.  Little,  130. 
Bunting,  Meadow-.  13ti. 
Bunting,  Ortolan,  130. 
Bunting,  Reed-,  130.  144. 
Buritiiig,  Rustic.  1.".0. 
Bunting.  .Siberian  Sleadow- 

130. 
Bunting, 

143. 
Bunting 


Suow-,    120.    130. 
130,  144. 


Yellow 
Buntings,  (!,  120. 
Buphag,,,  134. 
litirhitiu^,  55. 
Burrow-Duck,  1.-<S. 
Bush-Quails,  Indian,  28. 
Bii.sb-(5u.iils,  Painted,  28. 
Bush-\Vrens,   Kew   Zealand 

0,  114. 
Bustard,  Great,  55,  107. 
Bustard,  lloubara,  .">. 
Bustard,  Kori.  50. 
Bustard.  Little,  55. 
Bustarti,  ^lacqueen's,  5.5. 
Bustard-Quails,  3.  35. 
But.-istur.  78. 

Butcher-birds,  0,  122,  147. 
Biiliv,  70, 105. 
Bll/rolli,  70. 
Bi(fvrUles,  00. 
Buzzard,  Brown,  70. 
Buzzard,  Conniion,  70,  105. 
Buzzard- Kagles,  77. 
Buzzard,  Giant,  7li. 
Buzzard-Ha\yks,  70. 
Buzzard,  Honey-,  70. 
Buziard,  Long-winged,  70. 
Buzzard,  One-banded,  75. 
Buzzard.  Ked-backed,  70. 
Buzzard.  Rough-legged,  77. 
Buzzard.  White-spotted.  7fi. 


Ciicalua,  85. 
Caccahi.y,  30. 
Ciiirina,  67. 
Culliopr.  120. 
C'lilliiiepln.  10. 
C<i//i.-tc,  131. 
Cal/ocr/i/mli'iii,  85. 
Ca  lit  11  an,  38. 
CalopcrdLr,  30. 
Ca/opejiis,  15. 
C'alnphasis,  21,  25. 
CalojiMt/aa/s,  85. 
Ca/orliampJiUf,  U>2. 
Cidiiriiis,  134. 
Cali/ptiiiiicna,  106. 
Cafi/jjIorJii/Hcliiis.  85. 
Canipanero,  111. 
C'ampopliagit .  110. 
CciMpophaijidce,  0,  110. 
Canipophilvi,  104. 
Cahipijhptcriis,  00. 
Caunchitcs,  .13. 
CaHcriiiiin,  00. 
Cape  Pheasant,  31. 


Cape  Pigeon,  44. 
Capercaillie,  32,  100. 
Ca])ercaillic,  American,  33. 
Capercaillie  X  Black  Grouse, 

31. 
Capin.,  101. 
Cdliitonidie,  5,  101. 
Oijiiiiiiiilfiidif,  5.  02. 
Capri, iiiilgns,  02,  03, 169. 
Caracaras.  75. 
Car.m,  57. 
Ctircinciifai,  87. 
Viirdiiialh,  130. 
Cardinals.  Crested,  13i'. 
Ciirdiielis,  143. 
Ccrtituia,  b^,  lO."^. 
Cariama,   Brazilian,    5"', 

108. 
Ciirla'fnid(P^  4,  58. 
Carhiutie,  2.  10. 
Carinate  Birds,  It*. 
C(fr/Jid>i^,  62. 
( 'arjwcocci/.i;  00. 
Carjiudaciis,  1.30. 
Carrioii-Crow,  130,  l3fi. 
Caiiarra,  60. 
Cassiques,  132. 
Cassowaries,  2.  1.'!. 
Cassowary,  Australian,  13. 
C(i!>niiriid(e,  2,  13. 
Cttiiiiiiriitii,  8,  13. 
CutcrrJutvti'A,  42. 
Cat-Bird.  110. 
Cat-Bird,  Green.  l."..">. 
Citharisfc.s  73. 
Odhn-fuhe,  4,  72. 
CuthctuiUf,  17. 
Catiru;^,  25. 
Cedar-bird,  121. 
Cciilj'occn'n^,  32. 
f  'cif /ropier,  00. 
Crphahphriis.  1 10. 
Vi:,-titii(j)i,nu,  02. 
Cerchiieis,  70,  195. 
Ci'1-eopsi.f,  08. 
Ccruvli  iincha ^  45. 
Ccrj'/iW,  125, 157. 
CertUida;  6,  125. 
6'fr///c,  87. 
Cp^/.r,  87. 
Chat (icercus,  95. 
Cluetura,  94. 
Chietiixin,  53. 
Chaffinch,  130,  142. 
Chnlropknpf,  38. 
ChaleopMtaciis,  85. 
Chaniisas,  6,  124. 
ChioiiiTid(P,  0,  124. 
Chamiepctcs,  19. 
Chaparral-Cock,  90. 
Charadriida,  3,  .^tK 
ChniadriKf,  52,  174. 
Chasmorhipicliiis,  1 10. 
Chat-Thriisbes.  120. 
Chats,  120. 
Chatterers,  0,  121. 
Chatterers,    .Viuerioan,    5, 

110. 


INDEX. 


21? 


Cbatlerers,  Bed,  111. 
Chauldo.s-.HUS,  CO,  188. 
Ckiitiiw,  (j'j. 
C'heer-Plieasaiit,  25. 
Chr/idoH,  11.'),  151. 
t'Midojjfcrri,  lUi'i. 
did/,  GO. 
C'heiiiihpi.v.  00. 
Che/ioiieffd,  07. 
Ckcnopsis,  08. 
r/icra,  131. 
C/iibia.  133. 
Chiffchaff,  120. 
Chiunarchus,  I'J. 
I'll  ion  id  idee,  3,  I'.A 
Chiunif.  W. 
Cliirv.viph.i«,  112. 
('h/ami/dodirii,  134. 
C/i/ocjiJiai/ii,  07. 
C7(/o/'/.s  i:io,  142. 
Cli/uivvliri/sa,  131. 
( 'htorojiipo,  112. 
Vhlorojifi^.  117. 
(:7wr(fc(7'-,sit2. 
C'hougli,  Alpiue,  130. 
L'liougli,  Coiiuijou,  130. 
t'ht't/60cofcij.r,  'J.S. 
Ckri/aa/fas,  38. 
Chri/soloiihus,  24. 
CItn/soiiiitris,  140. 
C'liri/svtia,  84. 
Cluikai'  Partritlge,  30. 
('iiX'ilid,  01. 
Vicviiiid^e,  4,  01. 
Ciiulidte,  0,  118. 
('IncloiSvvWt  117. 
CV«c-?!(s,  ll'.l,  14!». 
Ciiiniccrthia,  118. 


..f/iiti/riti, 


120. 


Circai'tiis,  77. 
Ciirin<,  75,  llt3. 
i'irrhopiprii,  112. 
(Vsf(7,  130. 
Cislicu/a.  120. 
Ciftuancla,  120. 
Cilturu,  88. 
C/ddorhi/inhus,  .53. 
(-'hiiiijula,  05. 
C'lucking-llfii,  57. 
'  'h/tvcct/.i,  88. 
Clyfivtanks,  108. 
Coach-whip,  117. 
i'uiriit/trauftcs,  130,  143. 
C'occi/s/vf:,  'JS. 
CocLi/cii/,  08. 
('«■/(««,  IIH. 
Coekateel,  85. 
Coekatuo,  Ganga,  85. 
Coi'katoo,  Great  Elack,  85. 
Cockatoo,  Leadbt'ater's,  8.5. 
Cockatoo,  Sleiuler-billed.  .'S5. 
Cockatoo,  YcIlow-aud-Black, 

85. 
Cocks  of  the  Rock,  111. 
i'a'irOa,  130. 
Cieribidte,  0,  13tl. 
Culaples,  103. 
Colies,  5,  96. 


Co/iidie,  5,  "JO. 
C'oliu,  Virgiuiaii,  20. 
Coliiis,  20. 
f«/«?fC,  'JO. 
Colhcalia,  04,  108. 
CWa;«.s  130. 
Colopiei-us ,  113. 
Cvtunhii,  38,  105,  100,  107. 
Cv/u/nbidis,  3,  38. 
Co/i/MbidcP,  3.  41. 
Cu///inbuf,  160. 
Condor.  73. 
Coiiiipuphagit,  1U8. 
Coiiopophagas,  5,  108. 
(.'fjnfjpophayid(e,bt  108. 
CoiiLires,  84. 
Conunis,  84. 
Coot,  Couimoii,  40,  171. 
Copper-smith,  101. 
Coraciuf,  88. 
Corm-iidee,  5,  88. 
Coriphilv.s,  85. 
Cormorant,  Common,  70. 
Cormorant,  Crested,  100. 
Cormorant,  Frilled,  70. 
Curuiorant,  Green.  70,  100. 
Cormorant.     Wliite-bellied. 

70. 
Cormorant,   \\  liitc-throalcd, 

70. 
Cormorants,  4.  00. 
Corn-Crake,  30.  170. 
Curcidtf,  0,  135. 
t'uri'idlur,  130. 
Cort'HS,  135,  138,  130. 
Cori/don,  100. 
Coi-i/thteuhi,  100. 
Conjthopis,  108. 
Curyihornis,  87. 
Coscoruba,  68. 
Coaneiimiif,  03. 
Cosmopt^arita,  134. 
Cossypha.  120. 
Cui*,  115,  153. 
Cvdiiyu,  111. 
Cudiigidie,  5,  111'. 
Cotimiix,  28,  20. 
(■c.««,  00. 

Coueal,  Common,  00. 
Coulter-iieb,  172. 
Conrlau,  57. 
Courser,  Cream-coloured,  .5.'), 

186. 
Courser,  Two-banded,  53. 
Coursers,  3.  53. 
Cow-birds,  132,  100. 
Crab-PloTers,  3,  40. 
Cracidie,  2.  18. 
Cr<frfirtii>,  123, 
Crake,  Baillon's,  30. 
Crake,  Corn-,  30,  170. 
Crake,  Little,  30. 
Crake,  Spotted,  30. 
Crane,  African  Wattled.  .50. 
Crane,  Common,  59. 
Crane,  Crowned,  58,  50. 
Crane,  Demoiselle,  50. 
Crane,  Sarus,  59. 


Crane,  Stanley's,  50. 
Cranes,  3,  53. 
Crateropodins.  117. 
('/•«.!-,  18. 

Crazy  Widow,  57. 
Creeper,  Blue,  130. 
Creeper,  Tree-,  125,  157. 
Creeper,  Wall-,  125. 
Creepers,  American,  0,  130. 
Cn:<\  30.  170. 
Crocodile-bird.  53. 
Crossbill,  130,  140. 
Crossbill,  Parrot,  130. 
Crossbill,  Two-baudcd,  1.30. 
Crussopii/oii,  20. 
Ciofophaya,  UXJ. 
Crow,  Bald-lieaded,  130. 
Crow.  Carrion-,  136,  138. 
Crow,  Grey,  130. 
Crow,  Hooded,  130,  130. 
Crow,  Piping,  123. 
Crow,  RoTston,  130. 
Crow,  Wiittled,  130. 
Crow-Pheasants.  00. 
Crows,  0,  135. 
Crow-Tits.  118. 
i'l'i/inuphilu^,  50. 
Cryp/o/opha,  110. 
t'rypfiirus,  15. 
Cuckoo,  Channel-bill,  08. 
Cuckoo,   Common,  08,    168, 

190. 
Cuckoo,  Droiigo-,  08. 
Cuckoo-Dove,  38. 
Cuckoo,  Emerald,  O.-i. 
Cuckoo-Falcons,  78. 
Cuckoo,  Great-spoltcil,  08. 
Cuckoo,  Hawk-,  08. 
Cuckoo,  Lark-heeled,  09. 
Cuckoo,  Madagascar,  00. 
Cuckoo,  Pheasant,  09. 
Cuckoo-Sbrike,  Pheasant,  110. 
Cuckoo-Shrikes,  0.  1 10. 
Cuckoo,  Yellow-billed,  08. 
Cuckoo's-leader.  W)b. 
Cuckoo's-mate,  104,  105. 
Vucnlidte,  .5,  08. 
Liiiidu.',  08,  168,  100. 
Curassows,  2,  18. 
Curlew,  51.  177. 
Curlew,  Eskimo,  51. 
Curlew,  Ibis-billed,  51. 
Curlew,  .Stone-,  54,  l8(i. 
(,'ur^uriidtB.  3.  53. 
C«ri<iiriii^,  53,  180. 
Cushat,  10.5. 
Clltir',  118. 
Cyaiurpcs,  130. 
CyaHoc/ic II ,  67. 
CyaiwroniA;  130. 
Cyanopf,  102. 
Cyiniorhtiniphiis,  84. 
Cyaiiospisd,  130. 
Ci/aiio/is,  113. 
Vybcrnries,  113. 
Uychj)sitt(wus,  85. 
Cyyiiiis,  68. 
Cypfelidte,  5,  93. 

Q 


218 


INUKX. 


dt/psci us,  '.)+,  Ills. 
Vffy/oiii/.v,  'JO. 


Diihcliick,  II.  1C.7 
Ihi,,/,;  ss. 
l)a.-l!ihu-tii.r.  20. 
7>nA7n,  (i(i. 
llaiiaailor,  llli. 
Jhipliiin,  44. 
Diirters,  4,  G'J. 
Difi/lulihuf.m. 
tMfi/j>/i7iif.  84. 
]hmii-,/,rltri,  (iO. 
Drudriii/n/n(S,  o\,  *3'_>. 
Jkndroiilld,  13(5. 
Vrinhvi-oliiplidcp,  l\  IU',1. 
JJciidrunipfes,  104. 
Dcvdmvpitf,  1U4,  UU,  l(i."i. 
VciidnicyciKi.  (l(i. 
Dciidmcii,  12S. 
Beiidroplci;  lU'J. 
Drndi-orti/x,  20. 
D'u-iecidte,  6,  120. 
Dicrfuiii,  12(1. 

iJirramaiuis^if,  GO. 
Jfirritrid(e,  6,  133. 
Dididte,  3,  37. 
Bidiiiii  iillda,  3,  37. 
Bidniicidiif,  37. 
/;;rf«s,  37. 

Dighssa.  130. 

VinOfJtiii,  1 1. 

J)iiivriiifhid(f\  2,  11. 
Dloiwdia,  43. 
Dioinedridfc,  3,  43. 
Diphjilcrux,  'i)\\ 
Dippoi-s,  6,  118,  14'J. 
Dissemuritf,  133. 
Dissndcctcs,  80. 
Difmi-a,  G2. 
Diver,     Blac-k-tlirualcil,    42, 

Kii). 
Diver,  Great.  Kortliorn,  42. 
Diver,  Red-tliroateil,  42,  KJ'J. 
Diver,  Wliite-billed,  42. 
Divers,  3,  41. 
l)oci)na&trs,  1)!.>. 
Dodo,  .'!,  37,  107. 
Dolichijin/.v,  132,  100. 
Dotterel,'  52,  180. 
Dollerel,  Austr.alian,  52. 
Dotterel,  Ringed,  178. 
Dove,  Bronze-winged,  38. 
Dove,    Long-tailed    African, 

38. 
Dove,  Reinwardt's   Cuckoo-, 

.■!8. 
Dove,  Ring-,  Kl.'i. 
Dove,  Rock-,  38,  1(1(1. 
Dovo,  Stock-,  38,  107. 
Dove,  Turtle-,  38.  UKl. 
Dirpanididte,  0,  120. 
Iliviiiiididic.  3,  40. 
l)rotn(eid<e,  2,  12. 
Droinieiis,  8,  12. 


/iiv„m.-,  40. 

J)i'uiii<n'ori-//.r,  00. 

Drongo,  Racket-taiKul,  133. 

Drongos,  0,  133. 

Di'l/oilriMcf,  117. 

Dnck,  Australian  >Slicld-,  0(1. 

Duck,  Australian  Slill-lailcd, 
04. 

Duck.  Eudel-licad,  0.'>. 

Duck,  Burrow-,  188. 

Duck,  Canvas,  04. 

Duck,  Couinion  Eidi-r,  04. 

Duct,  Common  Slield-,  ISS. 

Duck,  Crested,  O.'i. 

Duck,  Eider,  (14,  1S7. 

Duck,  Ferruginous,  04. 

Duck,  Fliglitless,  (10. 

Duck,  l-'reckled,  GS. 

Duck,  (4oldeu-eye.  Or>. 

Duck,  llarlc(|uiii.  0.'>. 

Duck,  King  Eider,  04. 

Duck,  Loggcrlicad,  (j.">. 

Duck,  Long-tailed,  G.'t. 

Duck,  Mandarin,  67. 

Duck,  Masked  Stiff-tailed, 
64. 

Duek,  Muscovy,  07. 

Duck,  Musk,  64. 

Duck,  Pink-eyed,  0."i. 

Duck.  I'ink-licaded,  07. 

Duck,  Pintail,  60, 

Duck,  Rosy-hilled,  64. 

Duck,  Ruddy  Slield-,  66. 

Duck,  Slield-.  (30. 

Duck,  Shoveler,  G,''.. 

Duck,  Soft-billed.  04. 

Duck.  S|iottcd-billed,  (m. 

Duck,  Steamer,  O.'i. 

Duck,  Sieller's  Eider,  (14. 

Dud;,  Sliir-tailed,  04. 

Duck,  Summer,  07. 

Duck,  T(u-rent,  04. 

Duck,  Tree.  GO. 

Duck,  Tufted,  04,  100. 

Duck,  Wliite-lieaded  Stiff- 
tailed,  04. 

Duck,  Wliite-wiugcd  Wood-, 
67. 

Duck,  Wild,  05. 

Ducks,  4.  63. 

Ducks,  Sea-,  64. 

Dunlin,  .51,  174. 

llupilui;  GO. 


Eagle,  .Vfrican  Buzzard-,  77. 
Eagle,  Bald  Sea-,  78. 
Eagle,  Bateleur,  78. 
Eagle,  Bird-nesting,  77. 
Eagle,  Black -crested.  77. 
I'Jagle,  BoncUi's,  77. 
E'ugle,  Bootetl,  77. 
Eagle,  Crowned  Hawk-,  77. 
Eagle,  Golden,  77.  I  Oil. 
Eagle,  Grey-faced  Buzzard-, 

78. 
lOaglc,  Imperial,  77. 
Eagle-Owls,  81. 


Eagle,  Rufous-bellicjl  lla«k-, 

77. 
l']agle,  Scrjieut-,  (7- 
Eagle,  Slujrt-tocfl,  77. 
l^agli',  Spauisti  Imperial.  77. 
Iviglc.  Spotted,  77. 
Ivigle,  Steller's  Sea-.  78. 
Ivigle,  V'erreaux's,  77. 
I'^agle,  Vociferous  Sea-,  7^. 
Eagle.  Wedge-tailed,  77. 


White-headed 
While-tailed 


Eagle, 

7s. 
Eagle, 

78. 

Eagles,  4,  74. 
Hda-Uts,  84. 

I'Hectus,  Red-sided,  84. 
F.ctopintrs,  38. 
Egret,    Australian    Flui 

50,  108. 
Egret,  Little,  50. 
Egret,  Reddisli,  60. 
Eider-Ducks,  (14. 
Elaiimi,  113. 
Kkinotdi'»,  78. 
Elrnius,  78. 
Kndirrhii.  144. 
Eiidieri;iiue,  120. 
Euin,  Black,  12. 
Imuu,  Spf>tted,  12. 
Emus.  2,  12. 
Emu-Wren,  121. 
Euf,  85. 

Ephippif>rhiiiif)ni^,  62. 
Eph/hitiiiiira,  12tl. 
Krisuudnra,  04. 
Erif /hicks,  1.50. 
Erne,  78. 
Kri/thropus,  70. 
Ertjthrotriofchis,  70. 
En/lhnii-a,  132. 
E^lrilda,  132. 
EudociiiiHs,  02. 
Eiidrepanis,  120. 
Eitdfo/itiiis,  52,  180. 
Eifd'/iianiis,  98. 
Endi/pfiila,  42. 
FmIhIics.  134. 
Eidalu'/idre,  (>,  133. 
Ei(/ipiia,  17. 
Euuc/la,  05, 
Eiqk'/es,  117. 
Eiipi,di:/is,  .50. 
Eupsi/chor/i/.r,  10. 
Eiirhyiiorhijiichus,  61. 
Euivtcphthts,  122. 
Eurijccros,  133. 
Eurjicirotidie,  6,  1.3.3. 
Eiii-yltcitidrs,  5,  105. 
Eiiri/luniiis,  100. 
Eiiri/piiiifi,  57.  lOS. 
Eiiriipiii/Uhp,  4,  57. 
Eiiri/s/oiiiiis.  SO. 
Eiiscaiihiiiiis,  11.3. 
Eusliphuiius,  05. 
Euttjinta'etus,  't't. 
Ealoxeres,  90. 
Excal/adoria,  28,  29 


Sea-, 
Sea-, 


KNUIiX. 


•J  1  !> 


Fill,'!,  7'.l.  l'J4,  1115,  r.iS. 
Kaleon,  Barbnrv.  70. 
Fiilcou,  Cuekoo,  78. 
Falcon,  Double-tootlicil,  T.'i. 
Falcon,  Foildeu's,  7'.'. 
Falcon,  (-Ireenland.  7*.'. 
Falcon,  Icdanil,  I'-K  \W. 
Falcon,  Lagt^ar,  70. 
I'alcou,  Laniier,  70. 
Falcon,  Lead-colonrcd,  7S. 
Falcon,    Peregrine,  79.   l-."i, 

10.'),  108. 
Falcon,  Red-l'ootcd,  70. 
Falcon,    Scandiuavian    Jcr-, 

70. 
Falcon,  Shaliiu,  70. 
Falconet,  Black-logged.  70. 
Fiilciniidai,  4,  74. 
Falriinculns,  V2',i. 
Fandango-binl,  1112. 
Fieldfare,  110. 
Finch-Larks.  120. 
Find),  Serin,  1;!<I. 
Finches,  (i,  120. 
Finches,  Safl'ron-,  l;iU. 
Finches,  Weavei*-,  r». 
Fin  foot,  o,  40. 
Finfoot,  Peters's,  4<J. 
Fire-crest,  124. 
Firewood  Gallierer,  100. 
Fish-Hawk,  80. 
Fislnng-Owls,  81. 
Flamingo,  Common,  08,  lOfi. 
Flamingo,  Ruddj,  (i8. 
Flamingo,  Small,  08. 
Flamingoes,  4.  08. 
Flicker,  103. 
Florican,  Lesser,  50. 
Florida,  (!0. 
Flower,  peckers,  C,  120. 
Flycatcher,  Aarcissns,  110. 
Flycatcher,  Paradise,  110. 
Flycatcher,  Pied,  ll(>,  158. 
Flycatcher,    Red-breasted, 

116. 
J'lycatcher,  Restless,  116. 
Flycatcher,  Spotted,  116, 158. 
Flycatchers,  0,  115. 
Form  icari /dig,  ,5,  108. 
Francolin,  Bare-throated,  31 . 
Francolin,  Cape,  31. 
Francolin,  Common,  31,  202. 
Francolin,  Donble-spurred, 

31. 
Francolin,  Krckel's,  31. 
Francolin,     Grsiy's    Bare- 
throated,  31. 
Francolin,  Hildebrandt's,  31. 
Francolin,  Levaillant's,  31. 
Francolin,  Long-billed.  31. 
Francolin,  Swamp-,  31. 
Friincollirii.i,  30,  202. 
Fniterciihi,  45,  172,  107. 
Fregata,  71. 
Frei/dlida,  4,  71. 
Friar-Bird,  127. 
Frigate-Bird,  Greater,  71. 
Frigate-Bird.  Lesser,  71. 


FriiuiWa,  142. 
Friii./illid,/:;  0,  120. 
Frog-month.       C'ommon 

Anstralian,  80. 
Frog-mouth,  Fared,  80. 
Fridl-Pigoons,  .'!S. 
Ftl/ir,,.  4(1,  171. 
FuVuIhIii,  04,  10(1. 
Fidmar,  44. 
Ftf/utiirns,  44. 
Fi'riinrius.  110. 


GidtttLiiiit^,  48. 
(radwall,  60,  188. 
(idltltiochrilsnt ,  .54. 
(kilhiiVidie,  5,  105. 

(r<llroSr„jitrs,  H'.l. 

GaUUiaijii,  ,50,  176. 

GnUimthi,  40,  171. 

Gallinnles,  Purple.  4<l. 

(iaUircr,  10(». 

(T(iUopt'rdut\  21,  27. 

Gidliif,  23. 

G-ame-Birds,  16-.36. 

Game-Birds,   Pheasant-like. 
21. 

Ga)it]>:^oi>f/x,  78. 

Gannefc,  Anstralian,  71. 

Gannet,  Brown,  71. 

Gannel,  Connnon,  70,  102. 

Gannet.  Red-footed,  71. 

Gannets,  4,  70. 

Garden-Warbler,  120,  150. 

Garganey,  65. 

Gurriilns,  137. 

Gar:i'tta,  59,  60. 

Gcciniis,  1(»3,  164. 

Geese,  4,  63,  00. 

Gelinotte,  33. 

GdorheliJvii,  48. 

GenntBits,  25. 

GeoUastc^,  88. 

GeocicMa,  140. 

Gpoeocci/.v,  99. 

Gcucohpfes,  103. 

Gcopsitfar/i.<,  .S4. 

Geodlfn,  40. 

Gcranoailus,  76. 

Gi'rtf  110^2^1  ~la>i,  7.5. 

G/irrcola,  54. 

Glareo/idte,  3,  54. 

GUiiicldiurn,  82. 

GlaiintpU,  136. 
Gled,  78. 

Gtotfis,  170. 

Gh/ithorhi/tnlius,  130. 
Goatsuckers,  5,  92,  109. 
Godwit,  Bar-tailed,  51. 
Godwit,  Black-tailed.  51,  176, 
Golden-crested    Wren,    124, 

1.50. 
Goldfinch,  130,  143. 
Cioosander,  63. 
Goose.  Abyssinian  Dwarf,  67. 
Goose,  Australian  Majied,  67. 
Goose,  Bernacle,  06. 
Goose,  Black-and-While  07. 


Goose,  Black-backcil.  07. 
Goose,  Brent.  07. 
Goose,  Canada,  07. 
Goose,  Cape  Barren,  OS. 
Goose,  lOgyptian,  00. 
Goose,  Grey  Isig-,  00,  101. 
Goose,  I'mpcror,  07. 
Goose,  Pigmy,  ()7. 
Goose,  Pink-footed,  00. 
Goose,  Rain-,  100. 
Goose,  Red-breasted,  07. 
Goose,  Sandwich  Island,  07. 
Goose,  Snow-,  60. 
Goose,  Solan,  70,  102. 
Goose,  Spur-winged,  07. 
Gousc,  I'pland,  67. 
G..'.,se.  Wliite-fronted.  6  \ 
Go.-h;iuk,  .Vineriran,  7.5- 
Goshawk,  Anstralian,  7.\ 
Goshawk,  Black,  7.5. 
Goshawk,  Chanting,  75. 
Goshawk,  Common,  75. 
Goshawk,  Crested,  75. 
Goshawk,  Radiated,  7.5. 
Goura,  o>^. 
Grackles,  134. 
(iraeii/us.  130. 
G  ml  Una,  122. 
Graiidala,  120. 

Gr.-isshopper-Warlder,     120, 

150. 
a  raucahl^,  110. 
Grebe,  Black-necked,  41. 
Grebe,  Fared,  41. 
Grebe,    Gi-eat    Cr.-sted,    41 

167. 
Grebe,  Little,  41,  1(>7. 
Grebe,  Red-necked,  41. 
Grebe,  Slavonian,  41. 
Grebe,  South  American   41 
Grebes.  3,  40. 
GreenOnch,  130,  142. 
Greenlets,  0,  121. 
Greenshank,  51,  170. 
Grey-hen,  160. 
Griffon-Bird,  2. 
Grinder,  110. 
Grosbeak,  Pine,  130. 
Grosbeaks,  129. 
Grouse,  2,  31. 
Grouse,  American  Bare-toed 

32. 
Grouse,  Bare-toed,  19. 
Grouse,  Black,  33,  KiO. 
Grouse,  Canadian,  .1.3. 
Grouse,  Caucasian  Black.  .3.3. 
Grouse,  Connnon  Black,  33. 
Grouse,  Dusky,  3.'!. 
Grouse,  Red,  34,  101. 
Grouse,  Ruffed,  33. 
Grouse,  Sage,  .32. 
Grouse,  Sharp-tailed.  .3.3. 
Grouse,  Willow-,  34. 
Griiida,  4,  58. 
Gniifonncs,  bi^. 
Gruii,  59. 
Gnacharo  86. 
Guans.  2,  18 


'.>:,'() 


jNi)i;x. 


(iuilleaiot,  Klack,  -Jr.. 
(Iiiilleiiicit,  liridlcd.  -ICi. 
(iuillcmi)l,  lii'unuicli's,  4<''. 
(iiiilk'iiiot.Cuuimon,  4(1,  1".!'!. 
ItuiUemot,  Murbleil,  4('). 
(iuinea-l''o\vl,  Ci'estcd.  22. 
(Tiiiiioa-Fowl,  Oiirly-ciTstcd, 
oo 

Guiiioa-Fowl,  Ht'liiiotcd,  22. 
(i[iinea-Fiiwl,Tiii'ki\v-Iil<e,  22. 
GiiiiiPa-Fowl,  \'ulturinc,  22. 
Giiiuea-Fowls.  2,  21,  22. 
(^iiirii.  1(11). 

(lull.  Black-headed,  48.  1S4. 
Gull,  Boiinpai'te's.  48. 
Gull,  Cunimnn,  47,  181. 
Gull,  Glaiioous,  47,  18?.. 
Gull,  Gre.al  Hooded,  4^. 
Gull,  Greater   Blaek-liacked, 

47.  180. 
Gull,  Heerinan's,  48. 
Gull,  lleuipricli's,  48. 
Gull,  Ilerriug-.  47,  182.  1'.I7. 
Gull,  Iceland,  47. 
Gull,  Ivorv,  47,  184, 
Gull,  Laughing,  184. 
Gull,    Les.ser    Black-backed, 

47,  181. 
Gull,  Little,  48. 
Gull,  Mediterranean    Bl.ick- 

headed,  48. 
Gidl,  Pacinc,  48. 
(Kill,  I'arasitic,  47. 
Gull,  Eoss'  Rosy,  48. 
Gull,  Sabine's,  48. 
Gull-tribe,  4(>. 
Gull,  Tschudi's,  48. 
Gulls,  'A,  47. 
Giillirii.  22. 
Oi/gis,  48. 
(H/miiohuct  I),  102. 
GymnncephaliiK,  111. 
Gymnoihrus.  111. 
Gymnogene,  Banded,  7.''. 
Gyninorhina,  12.". 
Gi/iniinschhor/iix,  1((((. 
Gi/iiiiios/iiio/i.-^,  1  .S2. 
Gjipniius,  7<i. 
(ill pay ua,  "I'A. 
Gypf:,  74. 


Bihropfihi.  .S9. 
HiiilrostOMiix,  in. 
Hci„i,ito(h'riis,  111. 
Himiiitopii^,  ti'2,  177. 
H(BMiilorly.r,  Ml  I. 
Haycdashid,  02. 
Halcyon,  87. 
Hahi/oiiidre,  ."i,  87. 
Haliaetiis,  78.  108. 
Haliastiir,  "iX. 

Hammer-head  Storks,  4,  (il. 
Hang-nest.-i.  G,  132. 
Hapalarpacte^,  07. 
Hapalodcrma,  07. 
Harelda,  0.5. 
Harpa,  80. 


Hdi-pitrlfs,  07. 
Harpriyiix.  7^. 
Hai'pie.s.  70. 
JLti-purhyinhu.^,  no. 
Harpy.  7(5. 
Harpy,  Crowned,  70. 
Harpy,  Guiana  Crested, 
Harpiih'illatft!:^,  70. 
Hurjiyiip'if,  70. 
Harrier-Hawks,  75. 
Harrier,  Hen-,  7r>,  10<1. 
Harrier,  Marsh-,  7.'i. 
H.irrier,  Montagu's.  7."), 
ILawfineh.  \V,\\  U.*!. 
Hawk.  Australian  Quail 
Hawk,  Bush-,  80. 
Hawk.  Carrion-,  7'i. 
Hawk,    Conniiou    Span 

7o,  104. 
Hawk,  C{ioper'.s,  7"i. 
Hawk-Eagles.  77. 
Hawk,  Laughing,  77. 
Hawk,  Lidle  Sparrow-, 
Hawk,  Long-legged,  7"', 
Hawk-Owls.  81." 
Hawks,  4,  74. 
Hazel-hen,  Couunon,  'Xi 
Hedge-Spari-oiv,  110. 
Helwbiicvo,  102. 
Nc/iofjiis,  40. 
HeUnrnithhU'.  ;!,  40. 
Hc/olrirsi/s,  78, 
Hemignathus,     Long-bil 

127. 
Hemignathiii,  127. 
Hemihphus,  104, 
Hcmlphiga,  38. 
Hemipocle,  Andahisian, 
Hemipodes,  3,  3.'>. 
Hen-Harrier,  7."i,  103. 
Hcntrinictfn,  04. 
Hciiiciiruf,  120. 
Herodhf,  00. 
Heron.  Blue,  OO, 
Heron,  Bufl'-backed,  00, 
Heron,  Common,  60,  1S( 
Heron,  Great,  (io. 
Heron,  Great  While,  OO, 
Heron,  Green,  (lO. 
Heron,  Night-,  00. 
Heron,  Purple,  00, 
Heron,  Reef-,  OO. 
Heron,  Squaeco,  0(  I. 
Herons,  4,  ."lO. 
Heron-tribe,  ."lO. 
Ha-prfotftetrs,  77, 
Herriug-GuU,  47,  182. 
Hderhyphdiites,  131. 
Hetcroluchn,  1 30. 
Hcteropclina,  112. 
Hetcrospicias,  7(>, 
Hifmcldra,  80. 
Hierococi'i/.r,  9S. 
HierofaUn,  70,  100,  208, 
Himnntopus,  53. 
Hiriindinida,  6,  115. 
Hiniiido,  115.  1.54. 
Hoatziu,  .3,  56,  197. 


Hobbv,  70. 

Homrai,  02,  108. 

Honey-Buzzard,  7'"*, 

Honev -eater, Large  Walllid. 
127. 

Honey-eater,  Turati's,  127, 
70,         Honey-Guides,  5,  1U2. 

Honey-suckers,  0,  127. 

Honev-suckers,     Hawaiian. 
0,  i20. 

Hoopoe,  Couunon.  00,  173. 

Hoopoe,  Jackson's  Wood-.  OO. 
103.        Hoopoes,  5,  OO 

Hoopoes,  Wood-,  00. 
■,  SO.       Hoploplrni.s  53. 

llornbill,        Aby.ssinian 
Ground-,  02,  ' 
•0W-,       Hornbill,  .Vfrican,  01. 

Hornbill.  Cassin's  Pigmy,  02, 

Hornbill,  Ground-,  01. 

Hornbill,  Helmet.  02, 

Hornbill,  Xe|ial,  02. 
75.  Hornbill,  Rhinoceros-,  92. 

Hornbill,      Rurous-neckecl, 
108. 

Hornbill.  West-African.  02. 

HornbiUs,  5,  01. 

Houbara,  55. 

House-Martin,  154. 

Huia,  103. 

Humming-bird,  Giant,  95. 

Humming-bird,  Jericho,  120. 
led.         Humming-bird.       Sword  - 
billed,  00. 

Humming-birds,  .5,  0,"i. 

Hydra kcfoi;  54. 

Hydroehiiiihai,  48. 
3(j.       '    Hydrarirhhi,  120. 

Hijd fojdiaAUfini'^,  54. 

Hl/ilr:'p,-vtlll(',  4S. 

I    H,,dropsan.<,  93. 

Hi/efoniis,  90., 
I    Hylactfs,  108. 

Hyinfiinlt^ittitr^,  64. 

Hypha.Hlaniif:,  \?A . 

Hypoi'oliiis.  122. 

flyp.isl/fa,  125. 


lUda;  4,  02. 
Iliidorhyiifhiia.  51. 
Ihi-<,  02. 

Ibis,  Glossy,  02. 
Ibis,  Had,a'dah,  02. 
Ibis,  Madagascar,  (i2. 
Ibis,  Sacred,  02. 
Ibis,  Scarlet,  02. 
Ibis,  Straw-necked.  02. 
Ibis.  Wattled,  62. 
Ibis,  White,  62, 
Ibises,  4,  ti2. 
Ibises,  Wood-,  02. 
Ilii/ctcr,  75. 
Ivleridie,  0,  1 32. 
Icterus,  132. 
Ictiiiaetus,  77. 
Ic/inia,  78. 
Indicator,  102. 


221 


Liidkaioi-iiJit,  .'i,  ll)-2, 
Imni,  117. 
rron-Biiiitli,  lOJ. 
/■/■/•/soi',  90. 
/^iiiff/iif,  87. 
Ilhnyinis,  27. 
Ii/iiyipii'iis,  104. 
/v«,i-,  104,  Km. 


J;ibini,  Black-ncckfd,  (>:2. 
Jacainar,  Great,  l(l."i. 
Jaeamars, ."),  lO.'i. 
Jaminaratri/on,  lOf). 
.Tacamerops,  105. 
.Tacana,  African,  .'i4. 
.laraiia,  .Viistraliaii.  -il. 
.laoaua,  Coiiiriinn,  ri4. 
.laoana,  Plieasant-tailed,  ;ii. 
Jacanas,  3,  ri4. 
.larkasscs,  Laiigliiiig,  AS. 
.Tat-k.law,  i;;ii,  l:-!0. 
,lav,  l:«,  l.-!7. 
Jaj-Slu-ike.  122. 
,Ti'i'-Falcons,  7'.l. 
Jiwi,  127. 
Jungle-Fowl,  23. 
.TiiNgle-Fowl,  Cevloneso,  24. 
Jungle-Fowl,  Retl,  24. 


Kagus,  4,  ."i7. 

Kakapii,  S;;. 

Kalij.  Blaek-backed,  2.">. 

Kalij.  Black-bellied,  2.'). 

Ivalij,  Black-breasted,  2,'i. 

Kalij,  Nepal,  25. 

Kalij,  Swinlioe's,  25. 

Ivalij,  Wljite-erestcd,  25. 

Kea,  S5. 

Kestrel,  Common.  7i',  1'.I5. 

Ke.'itrel,  Lesser,  70. 

Kestrel,  Madagascar,  8(1. 

Ketupti,  81. 

Kingfislier,  Black-clieeked,87. 

Kingfisher,  Blne-and-Wliitc. 

88. 
Kingfisher.    Common,    87. 

173,  198. 
Khigfisher,  Hooded,  88. 
Kingfisher,  Hook-billed,  88. 
Kingfisher,  Hnahine,  88. 
Kingfisher.  Lindsay's,  88. 
Kingfi.sher,  Little  Blue.  87. 
Kingfisher,Ma!acliite-crestcd, 

87. 
Kingfisher,     Kacquet-tailed, 

88. 
Kingfisher,  Ringed,  87. 
Kingfisher,  Sanghir,  88. 
Kingfisher,  Saw-billed,  87. 
Kingfisher,  Shoe-billed,  88. 
Kingfisher,  Stork-billed,  87. 
Kingfisher,  Sumatran,  88. 
Kingfishers,  5,  87. 
Kinglisliei's,  Water-,  87. 
Kingfishers,  Wood-,  87. 
Kirorabos,  5,  88. 
Kite,  Black,  78. 


Kite,  Black-shouldered,  78. 
Kite,  Brahniiny,  78. 
Kite,  Common,  78. 
Kite,  Hook-billed,  78. 
Kile,  Slender-billed,  78. 
Kite,  Square-tailed,  78. 
Kite,  Swainson's,  78. 
Kite,  Swallow-tailed,  78. 
Kiltiw.akes,  47,  102. 
Kiwi.  Shaw's,  107. 
Kiwis,  2,  13. 
Knot,  51,  177. 
Koel,  Indian,  08. 
Kokako,  i3(i. 
ICuklass  Pheasants,  20. 
Kvnh.  31. 


Laimraergeiers,  "li. 
Lag-Croose,  CTrcy,  I'.ll. 
Ijtqopii^,  IIW. 
Lamenting  Bird,  .'>7. 
Ltiiiiprovullux,  134. 
Land-Rail.  .30,  170. 
Ltnihiyiii^,  12.3. 
Litniidtp,  0.  122. 
Lnniiis,  123,  147. 
Lapwing,  .52,  174. 
Lapwing,  Black-thighed,  5.3. 
Lapwing,  Cayenne,  o.'i. 
Lapwing,  Latham's  Wattled, 

53. 
LiiriJtP,  3,  47. 
Lark,  Crested,  120. 
Lark,  Finch-,  129. 
Lark,  Horned,  129. 
Lark,  Magpie-.  122. 
Lark,  Meadow-,  120,  1.32. 
Lark,  Shore-,  120. 
Lark,  8hort-toed,  120. 
Lark,  Sky-.  120,  145. 
Lark.  White-winged,  129. 
Lark,  Wood-,  120. 
Larks,  6,  120. 
Xh /■«.-■,  47,  ISO.  181,  182,18.3, 

184,  107. 
Lalhriii,  111. 
Jjtciviitiii,  4t). 
Lcpidogriiiiiiitiiii^  99. 
Leptodon,  78. 
Leptoptcriif,  122. 
Lepioptiliis,  fil. 
Lepinsumo ,  SS. 
Lepiosonmtidie,  5,  88. 
Leni'a,  19,  2S,  31. 
Lcucopleriiif,  70. 
Leiicosarcia,  38. 
Licmeds,  85. 
Likh,  56. 
Lifitosff,  .51,  170. 
Limpkins,  4,  57. 
Linnet,  130,  14t). 
Linnet,  Green,  142. 
Linnet,  Mountain-,  141. 
Lhioln,  140,  141. 
Liothri.i;  117- 
Lipoa,  17. 
JApainiiiKe,  111. 
Lizard-tailed  Birds,  2,  7. 


j,i:liiophash,  20. 
Lohh'cnieUu^,  .5.3. 
Lobo  Tolante,  7<>. 
Tmui-lMi,  157. 
Loildigcsiii,  00. 
Loplioacfiif,  77. 
Loplioferos,  91. 
Lophodyfi:s,  0.3. 
Lopfiot/i/ps,  74. 
Lophnifl  'mill ,  78. 
Lo/iho/ir'Miix,  .38. 
J.ophophoniA,  20. 
L„phort!/.r,  20. 
Ijophiililiis,  02. 
Liijihotnorch'is,  77. 
Lophiirri,  2G. 
LnricnhiK,  84. 
Lories,  4,  85. 
Liirifi/fP,  4,  !^~>. 
Lorilets,  85. 
Li'i'iif-^,  ^^>. 
Lv.rkf,  14(1. 
Love-Birds,  84. 
I.iilhila,  120. 
Liinda,  45. 
Lybiiis,  102. 
Ll/iiinorrl/pfcg,  51. 
Li/inoni/^,  93. 
Lyre-birds,  5,  106,  199. 
L^f/rliriis.  l(il. 


Macaws,  84. 
Mach(Prhamp1t  lis,  7iK 
Mnv/ierop/iriif,  112. 
Mdcrndi/i/cri/.r,  93,  94. 
ViirroiiliK,  lis. 
Miirn,iii/.r.  128. 
Marrnptiri/.r,  94. 
Magpie.  130,  130. 
Magpie-Lark,  122. 
Maize-Birds,  1.32. 
Maliicorhiiiirhiin,  t»5. 
Maleo,  17. 
Miilia,  118. 
Malkohas,  99. 
Mallard,  05. 
Miilirnif.  121. 
Mamo,  127. 
Manakins.  5,  112. 
Man-of-war  Bird.  71. 
Marabou,  (il. 
Muimi,  (i(i,  189. 
Marrot,  40,  193. 
Martin,  House-,  115,  1.54. 
Martin,  Sand-,  115,  1.53. 
Miidu6,n2. 
Mavis,  148. 
Meadow-Bunting,  1.30. 
Meadow-Bunting,    Siberian. 

1.30. 
Meadow-Lark,  129,  132. 
Meadow-Pipit,  128.  14.5. 
ilii/iiceptlinhH,  17. 
Mei/adi/pfi'ii,  42. 
Miyii/ifiiiu,  Ktl. 
Mec/ahslris,  47. 
Megapode,  Wallace's,  17. 
Megapodes,  2.  17. 


Mi'l/il/ini/lll--,    \7. 

Mi'lanrrprs,  W.\. 

Mrlilllm'lllord,   VSi. 
Mrlii lliijiirdix,  .".(I. 

MrU,fr.lc.<,  iL'T. 
Mclidiira,  88. 
Melieiri.r,  7"'. 
Mi'/ij,l„i(ii(l„',l'>,  lL'7. 
Mi/i,:.y,)n7ii>'.  l.M. 

Mrlopti'ittai'Uf,  84. 
Mcnura,  100,  W.S. 
Miniiridie,  b,  lOU. 
Miriinnefta,  O'J. 
Mrrganacr,  63. 
Mergausei',  Chilian,  (iJi. 
Merganser,  Hooded,  03. 
Merganser,      Recl-breasled, 

63,  188. 
Mergansers,  4,  03. 
il/fr,/».s  63,  188, 
Merlin,  79,  194. 
Merlin,  Red-lieadfd,  79. 
Meroj/itlie,  .'>,  >i9. 
.V'-r<(/<,s  89. 
.M('Sn,„i/ui!i.  :>.  107. 
Mesupiinij.i:  .'i9,  198. 
Mctiipii),  112. 
Melopiann,  04. 
Mkrasliir,  75. 
Microfflosms,  8."i. 
Mh'Tohieya.v,  79. 
Micrnparra,  54. 
Micropcrtlir,  li8. 
Mirrupternus,  103. 
Milv(i(/n,  75, 
Milmlhis,  113. 
.1/(7««.s  78. 
Mi„iida,  0,  119. 
3///H('.S  119. 
Minivets.  110. 
Mmifra,  129. 
Mistle-Tbrush,  119,  149. 
Mniotilfa,  V2». 
Mniotiltiihe,  (i,  127. 
Moas,  2,  11. 

Moas,  Madagascar,  2,  11, 
Mooking-Birtls,  0,  119, 
Modern  Birds,  2. 
Moho,  40. 

Mvlothms,  132,  199. 
MomofuU,  5  89. 
Moiiwliis,  90. 
Monochalciimi,  88. 
Moonal  Pheasant,  27. 
JNIoor-Bnzzard,  6."). 
Moorhen,  40,  171. 
Morphnns,  70, 
Mofa.-ilhi.  128,  14i;. 
Muf,„illid<e,  0.  12S, 
Mother    Carey's    Chiekens, 

44,171. 
Motniots,  5,  89. 
Mound-builders,  2,  17. 
Mountain-Liiniet,  141. 
Mountain-Pheasant,     Lord 

Derby's,  18. 


.U('//»/,  l;{2, 
Mnrre,  40,  19;!. 
MttAcicdpa,  1 10,  l.'>8, 
Mitsriiapidif-,  0,  1  lo. 
MttSiimra,  113. 
Mnifop/ia(/(i,  loo. 
.VusopIiin/i(l/f,  ."i,  UH.I. 
Mi/ctcria,  02. 
Mi/ind/pufsfr.-<,  1  l.'i. 
Mi/iophiiiniif,  118, 
Myio:clclcs,  113. 
Myuas,  Talking,  l.'M. 
Mi/rhtkirura,  3S. 
JSIiiroiiicIa,  127. 


i\'»,«W«,  109, 
Nasitei-nu,  85, 
Native  Conipanion,  .")9, 
Nccmniia,  100, 
Neciarinikl<F.  0,  I'JO, 
Nelly,  44, 
Neoc/iiii/cs,  108. 
Xenphciiia,  84. 
Neophrui),  74. 
NcornHhes,  2,  7. 
XcosU/a,  125. 
^Vfsoc/«PH,  07. 
Nesonctia,  61). 
Afe/or,  85,  198. 
iVc<C»,  04, 
Ncltioii,  0.5,  189. 
J^ethiptfs,  07. 
Night-Heron.  OtI. 
Niglitingale,  120,  150. 
Nightingale,  Northern,  120, 
Nightingale,  Sprosser,  120. 
Nightjar,  Common,  93,  1(;9. 
Nightjar,  Egyptian,  93. 
Nightjar,    Pennant-winged, 

93,  198. 
Nightjar,  Red-nceked.  93. 
Nightjars,  5,  92, 
K'dtava,  110. 
Niltavas,  110. 
A7«o,r,  81. 
Noddy,  48. 
Noiitoin/.i\  04. 
Nothoproofu,  15, 
Notornis,  40. 
Nucifraya,  130, 138. 
Niimenius,  51, 177. 
Niiniida,  22. 
Nutcracker,  1.30,  138. 
Nulhatehes,  0,  124,  1.57. 
Xi/cln/u.  82. 
yi/ctea,  81. 
Ni/cfiUus,  93. 
Ni/ctirorn.c,  00. 
Ni/cfidruMiis,  9;!. 
Ni/ctioriii.'',  89. 
Ni/iiiphicus,  84. 
Nt/rncii,  ()4,  191. 


Oi'caiiifcs,  44. 
OceanifvKf'^  44. 
Oceanodroinii,  44,  17 


I    Uci/diVMii^,  39. 

Oiln-,)fophorin(P,  19. 
I    (hli,iit,,phoriiK  20. 
!    (KdcMir,  (i5,  187. 

(Kdicnciiiidie,  3,  .54. 
j    (EdicnciiiiK,  54, 180. 

ffiH«,  38. 

(Eslrclata,  44. 

Oil-birds,  5,  80. 

(HifjOiHyodtP,  110. 

OUgura,  118, 

Opisfhocomidig,  3,  .50. 

Opkthocomus.  50,  197. 

O/vophasif,  18. 

Onmiij.v,  20. 

Orcotrochihis,  5. 

Oriole,  Baltimore,  1.32. 

Oriole,  C4oIden,  133. 

Orioles,  0,  133. 

Orioles,  American,  1-32. 

OnoUd<e,  0,  133. 

0!-w/k,s,  1.33. 

Orfa&,  19. 

Orthoni/.v,  117. 

OrthorhiiiiiphUK,  55. 

Or/^.r,  20. 

Osi/iot reran,  39. 

Osprey,  80. 

Osprey,  Grey-headed,  8tl. 

Ospreys,  4,  73,  80. 

Ossifmga,  44. 

Ostrich,  Common,  9. 

Ostrich,  Northern,  9. 

Ostrich,  Som.aliland,  9. 

Ostrich,  South-African,  9. 

Ostriches,  2,  8,  9, 

Ostriches,  American,  10. 

Ofididie,  3,  55. 

Otidiphaps,  38. 

0;(s,  55,  197. 

Ofoeompsn.,  117, 

Otocort/f,  129. 

Otogi/ps.  74. 

Ouzel,  Ring-,  119,  148. 

Ouzels,  Water-,  118.  149. 

Oven-birds,  110. 

Owl,  Barn-,  82. 

Owl,  Bay,  82. 

Owl,  Brown,  82,  182. 

Owl,  Brown  Fishing-,  81. 

Owl,  Brown  Hawk-,  81. 

Owl,  Burrowing,  82. 

Owl,  Connnon  Barn-,  83, 

Owl,  Eared,  82. 

Owl,  Great  Eagle-,  81. 

Owl,  Great  Grey,  82. 

Owl,  Little,  82. 

Owl,  Long-cared,  82,  182. 

Owl,  Marsh-,  82. 

Owl,  Mottled  Wood-,  82. 

Owl,  North  American  Ilawk- 
Sl. 

Owl,  Pel's,  81. 

Owl,  Saw-whot,  82. 

Owl.  Scops-.  81. 

Owl,  Screech-,  82. 

Owl,  Screech  Scops-,  81. 

Owl,  Short-eared,  82. 


IN  DUX. 


223 


Uwl,  I-ibcriau  Kault-,  ¥1. 
Owl,  8nowy,  81. 
I  •vvl.  8|)utliil  Kagle-,  SI. 
Owl,  Tawny,  82.  182. 
Owl,  Taniiv  Kisliiiig-,  81. 
Owl,  'IViiKi'nahii's,  82. 
Owl,  'I'lillecl,  81. 
Owl,  Vr.tl  WouiK  82. 
Owl,  Wood-,  82,  IS:.'. 
Owl,  W'ooilu'ock-,  Sl'. 
Owk't,  I'ollnred  I'lginv,  82. 
Owlet-Mghtjars,  87. 
Owlet,  I'igniv,  82. 
(Jwls,  811. 

Owls,  Bani-,  4,  .^2. 
Owls.  Hoi-iK-cl,  4,  81. 
Owls.  Wood-,  1,  81. 
Os-eye,  lli.'i. 
O.iL-prL'ker,  131. 
O.riirhiiiiijihiilie.  ;>,  112. 
(Ki  ijrhinniihn^,  112. 
O.ii/iiriis,  110. 
Oj'ster-catclier,  Bliiek,  .^)2. 
Oysler-catfliers,  ,')2,  177. 


V'Irln/C'jthahlKC,  12.*>. 
I'lirhjirhn  iiqih  «s,  111. 
Viiqinlriiiiiii,  44. 
l'u,,„phil,t.  47,  184. 
Valaorni^,  84. 
Pal,ii„nlrid(e,  4,  li'.t. 
I'aiid/oii,  80. 
Pniiilionidte,  4,  80. 
PfinuriiUf,  (i.  124. 
Viniuius,  124,  lli2. 
Viniiiptilii,  in. 
Pi/rahfi/fi>,  75. 
l;,rni/im,,  iy.">. 
J'arailise-binls,  0,  KJ.'i. 
l'(i,i'iJi.<riilfe,  (),  13.'). 
l'tiriii/o.rni-lli.<,  117.  1  l.-<. 
J',in/a/.'/„s.  12G. 
P«<vVfa-,  (),  123. 
Paroarid,  130. 
Piirridff,  .3,  ..")4. 
J'arroiiuel,  Bai-i'iibaiiiVs,  84. 
ParroqiK't,  Grass-,  84. 
Parroqiict,  Gi'eat-l>ilU'il,  84. 
l*aiToquC't,  Ground-,  84. 
Parruquet,  Hoi'ncd,  84. 
l^u-roqiiel,  Long-tiik'd,  84. 
I'arroquet,  l-*ennanl's,  84. 
Parroquct,    Queen     .Uexan- 

dra's,  84. 
Parroquet,    Racquel-Uiled, 

84. 
I'arroqnel ,    Ited-sliouldered, 

84. 
I'arroquet,  Kose-llill,  ^4, 
Parroquel.  Eose-ringecl,  84. 
Parroquel,  Tabuan,  84. 
I'arroquet.      Turquoisine 

Green,  84. 
Parrot.  African  Grey,  84. 
Parrot,  Anuizon,  84. 
Parrot,  Drnsli-tongued,  4, 85. 
Parrot,  Kaka,  85,  11)8. 


Parrot,  Owl-,  8:1.  . 

Parrot,  Pesquel's,  84. 
Parrot,  Piguiy,  85. 
Parsoii-bird,  'l27. 
Partridge,    .Vmerieau     Ked- 

legged,  30. 
Partridge,  Barbarv.  30. 
Partridge,  Black,  31. 
Partridge,  Common,  28,  l.'i'J. 
Partiidge,    Common    Tree-, 

30. 
Parti-idge,  Crested,  2'J, 
Partridge,  Grey,  l,5',l. 
Partridge-like     Ganie-Birds, 

28. 
Partridge,  Long-nailed,  20. 
Partridge,       Long-tailed, 

Auicricau,  2tK 
Partridge,  Mouut;iin-.  2S. 
Partridge,  Plumed,  20. 
Partridge,  Scaly,  P.). 
Partridge,  Seesee,  30. 
Partridge,  Snow-.  31. 
Partridges,  2.  10,  28. 
Partridges,  Amerieou.  2,  111. 
Partridgis,  Bamb<jo-,  20. 
Partridges,  Red-legged,  30. 
I'artridges,  Tbick-bdled,  20. 
Partridges,  Tree-,  29. 
Paruf,  l."i!),  162,  103. 
PaffSrr,  141. 
Prit^lur,  134. 

Pastor,  Rose-colouied,  134. 
Pnftii/<>7iif,  95. 
PaiuivT,  5i;. 
P,n'„,  22. 
Pi(vonicllii,  51. 
Peacock-Pbeasaul,  Borneaii, 

23. 
Peacock-Pbeasanl,  Grey,  23. 
Peacock-Plie.TsanIs,  22. 
Pea-Fowl,  22. 
Pea-Fowl,  Burmese,  22. 
Pea-Fowl,  Connnun,  22. 
PccUarc/cs,  32. 
Palionirmiis,  35. 
Peewit,  52,  174. 
Pihiilodniiiiii.  41. 
Prlanjoiifif,  87. 
Pchain'uUe,  4.  71. 
Pclccaiwidcf,  4.3. 
PelcrottDidiiue^  43. 
Pchcunuf,  71. 
Pelican,  Brown,  71. 
Pelican,  Dalmatian.  71. 
Pelican.     North      .Vmerican 

White,  71. 
Pelican,  White,  71. 
Pelicans,  4,  71. 
Fc/idiia,  174. 
Pc//olii/(is,  52. 
Pnir/u/u,  \S. 
Penelope,  Black,  IS. 
Penelopes,  18. 
Pan'Iopinii,  18. 
Penguin,  l-'mperor-,  42. 
Penguin,  Jackass-,  42. 
Penguin,  King-,  42. 


Penguins,  3,  42. 

Penguins,  New  Zealaiul,  l'J7. 

Pnithrtrhi,  131. 

Perching-Birds,  107. 

Prrdkiiue,  28. 

Pn-dhula,  28. 

P,nU.v,  28,  159. 

Perdij  graude,  15. 

Peregrine,  79,  195,  198. 

l'n-icni,o/u.^.  IK). 

Pf  fhUiv/i'id'S,  2,  17. 

Peru,  Andcrsson's,  79. 

/''7-«(V,  79. 

Petrel,  Broad-billed  Blue,  44. 

Petrel,  Bulwer's,  44. 

Petrel.  Capped,  44. 

Petrel,  Collared,  44. 

Petrel,  Frigate-,  41. 

Petrel,  Fuhiiar,  43. 

Petrel,  Garuot's,  43. 

Petrel,  Giant,  44. 

Petrel,     Iltircourt's    Storm-, 

44. 
Petrel,    Leach's    Fork-tailed, 

44,  172, 
Petrel,  Pintado,  44. 
Petrel,  Snowy,  44. 
Petrel,  Storui-,  44,  171. 
Petrel,  White-breasted.  44. 
Petrel,  Wilson's  Storm-,  44. 
Petrel-tribe,  43. 
Petrels,  .'i,  43. 
Petrels,  Diving,  43. 
Pifraai,  1 16. 
Pc::op/t(/ps,  37.  . 
Pc;i>IMriis,  84. 
Phiclhiin,  72. 
Phftifhoididie,  4,  72. 
P)iiiliiifi'Oinifid(P,  4,  )t9. 
]'li„l:irn,mm.i;  70,  190. 
I'fiii/a-nn/i/i/ii.",  92. 
Phalarope,  Grey,  .50. 
Phalarope,    Red-necked,  50 

175. 
Phalarope,  Wilson's,  50. 
Pha/aro/iiis,  50,  175. 
Phalerh,  4.5. 
Phnroiiuicni!<,  97. 
PJut^ianldtr,  2,  19. 
Phistiiniis,  21,  24. 
Pheasant,  Argus,  21,  2.3. 
Pheasant,  Baricd-baeked, 25. 
Pheasant ,  Boriieaii  C'restless, 

20. 
Pheasant,  Bulwer's  Wattled, 

26. 
Pheasant,  Cape,  31. 
Pheasant,  Cheer,  25. 
Pheasant,   Diard's  Fireback, 

20. 
Pheasant,      Chinese      Eing- 

neeked,  24. 
Pheasant,  Common,  24. 
Phc.isant,  Common  Koklass, 

20. 
IMieasant,  Crimson  Horned, 

27. 
Pheasant,  Elliot's,  25. 


•-'24 


INDKX. 


I'licasaiit,  Guidon,  -4. 
tiieasant,  Japanesi;,  2-1. 
I'lieasaiit,    Lady   Amliersl'?;, 

2-1. 
Pheasant,  Malayan  C'reslpd, 

2(j. 
I'lieasaul,  Mounal,  2r,. 
Pheasant,  Old  English,  24. 
Pheasant,  Reeves',  24. 
Pheasant,  Silver,  25, 
Pheasant,  iSuMunierring's,  24. 
Pheasant,  Western  Horned, 

27. 
Pheasants,  2,  V.\  21. 
Pheasants.     Ban-ed-baclied . 

21. 
Pheasants,  131uod-,  27. 
Pheasants,  Crow-,  W. 
Pheasants,  Eared,  2(j. 
Pheasants,  Fire-backed,  2i'p. 
Pheasants,  llinialayan  Kalij, 

25. 
Pheasants.  Horned,  27. 
I'heasants,  Kalij,  25. 
Pheasants,  iStonc-,  27. 
Pheasants,  True.  24. 
I'hihaliir,!,  111. 
I'hihirtr,  0)7. 
I'hilteta-u!',  132. 
Phili'iitoii,  127. 
l'hilrj,Ula,  114. 
Vhil<i,i/ti,l<e,  0,  114. 
I'hibidurhue,  lO'.l. 

Phabctriti,  43. 
I'ha'iikvccrciis,  111. 
Phanivontims,  68. 
Phanicophaif,  09. 
Pha'iiicui>lirid(e,  4,  08. 
Pha-nimiiln-ils.  08,  1%. 
PI„.l,Ktthis,  82. 
/'//,.//.,■,  till. 

I'lii/llofaqjus,  152,  153. 
Phi/tutuiua.  113. 
Phijtotumldu:,  6,  113. 
Piniin,  1)"J. 
7Vrt(,  131). 
Picafhiii'h'^,  13l>. 
Piciihi',  5,  103. 
Pivuhliv,  11.14. 
Pieidel,Hargitt's,  IU4. 
Picnlet,  Rnlbns,  104. 
Piculets,  103,  104. 
PiiKiiinHs,  104. 
i'/-«,S  104. 
Pigeon,     llartlett's       lllood- 

breasted,  .38. 
Pigeon,  Chatham  Island.  3S. 
Pigeon,  Giant  Crowned,  38. 
Pigeon,  Grev-naped  Ground-, 

38. 
Pigeon,  Jauibn  Fruit-,  .38. 
Pigeon,  Nicobar,  38. 
Pigeon,  Nutmeg-,  38. 
Pigeon,  Orange  Fruit-,  38. 
Pigeon,  I'assengei',  38. 
Pigeon,  Ked-erowned,  38. 
Pigeon,  Toolh-billed,  3,  37. 


Pigeon,  Wood-,  ;i,^,  105, 

Pigeons,  3,  38. 

Pigeons,  Fruit-,  ,3.8. 

Pigeons,  Green  Fruit-,  3'.K 

I'igeons,  Gruund-,  38. 

Pigeon-tribe,  .30. 

Pijji/i;  l!l. 

Pipit,  Jleadow-,  128,  145. 

Pipit,  Norwegian  Kock-,  128. 

Pipit,  Ked-tlii-oated,  12.^. 

Pipit,  lliehard's,  128. 

Pipit,  Roek-,  128,  140. 

Pipit,  Tawn,-,  128. 

Pipit,  Tree-,'  128,  147. 

I'ipit,  Water-,  128. 

Pipits,  (j,  12.S. 

rijm,,  112. 

I'ljii'ldw,  5,  1  12. 

/VV/zz/.s  lO'.l. 

Pitlii,  114. 

Pittas,  0,  114. 

I'illUlie,  0,  114. 

Pili/iiuiis,  123. 

Plant-cutters,  0,  113. 

Plantain-caters,  lOl.l. 

I'lahilai,  02. 

PlukdiUlte,  4,  02. 

Platihh.  62. 

Pldti/ccn-us,  84. 

Plah/lojilms,  122. 

Pliiiilii^,  40,  1',I7. 

Plivlroplaiia.i;  121),  143. 

Pleiiruptirini,  07. 

Ple<iu<lis,  02. 

Plocciilu;  0,  131. 

Ploccm,  131. 

Plotus,  46,  00. 

Plover,    American     Golden, 
.52. 

Plover.  Black-headed,  5.3. 

Plover,  Casjjian,  52 

Plover,  Crab-,  ,3,  40. 

Plover,  Crested-Wat  tied.  -5.3. 

Plover,       Egyptian       Spur- 
winged,  b'4. 

Plover,  Golden,  52,  174. 

Plover,  Green,  52. 

Plover,  Gi'ey.  52. 

Plover,     Kentish.    52,    178. 
107. 

Plovei",  Kildeer,  52. 

Plover.  Little  Ringed,  52. 

Pl.jver,  Norfolk,  54,  l.Sli. 

Plover.  Ringed,  .52,  178. 

I'lover,  Sociable,  53. 

I'luver,  Stone-,  2,  54. 

I'lover,  Wry-billed,  52. 

Plovers,  3,  50. 

P/iiriff/iiis,  53. 

Pochard,  Common,  04,  101. 

I'ochard,  lied-erested,  04. 

l^oehards,  64. 

I'odarffida,  5,  80. 

Podnr(/Uf,  SO. 

I'ndicu.  40. 

J'u(/fcijtL'did{^\  3,  40. 

Pudicipcs,  41,  167. 
Poiphitu,  132. 


Pofjonufhynchu.-,  102. 
Poker,  Red-headed,  101, 
I'u/iooi'tiif,  80. 
Pu/tu/i/i'n/.v,  70. 
Poliujililii,  116. 
Potyboruidis,  7.5, 
Poli/hontii,  75. 
Polyi>kctruii,  22. 
PolytiHa,  84. 
Porp/j'/i-lo,  40. 
Pm-phi/riolo   40. 
Prairie-Hei.,  Sl, 
PraHnculii,  151. 
Pratincole,     I51;ick-w  iiiged, 

54. 
Pratincole,  Common,  54. 
Pratincoles,  3,  54. 
Prhiiu,  120. 
Priuii,  44. 
Prionir/ii/iuli «s,  00. 
Priimiturus,  84. 
Prioiwdura,  134. 
Pi-ionvpi(l(e.  6,  122. 
Prionopf,  122. 
Prloiujti'liis,  07. 
I'roiclliiriii,  44,  171. 
PrvceUiiriid<e,  3,  43. 
Produti&iif,  102. 
Prosthcmadcnr,  127. 
P!<r(rifOi/iHS,  100. 
Pi>cudof/ri/jdiUi<,  73. 
Pfcitduiicstur,  127. 
Psfiidufait/(fht!<,  ((2. 
Pfillai-iiUe,  4,  S3. 
Psitlucifornu's,  4,  83. 
Pslttacuf,  84. 
Pai'phUf^  '>^. 
Pfojdiiidie,  4,  58. 
P'^ophudf'!^,  117 
Ptarmigan,  34,  101. 
PIcriHidw,  3,  34. 
Ptirnixtif,  31. 
J*t('n>i/lu»^H^,  1(.)1 . 
Ptcro/iudorf/s,  110. 
P/civji/orludie,  5,  108. 
Plerojifiirhitf,  108. 
PlilocMorh,  112. 
Plilovichl<(,  lis. 
PlildHorlii/iirhnla-,  0.  134. 
l'/i/oiiorhf//ii/tifs,  134. 
P///up(fc/tt/^,  21,  27. 
PtU„piif,  38. 
Ptiloti.-:,  127. 
P^is/f.S  84. 
Pitffa,^i(f,  2(.». 
Pufl-birds,  .5,  lO-l. 
PuHiu,    Common,    4.">,     17'' 

197. 
Pnllln,  Horned,  45. 
Puffin,  lufted,  4,5. 
Pullin,  Lilicorn  ,  45. 
Piiffiimg,  44,  172. 
PyLiwiuilidie,  0,  117. 
Pijinwnuru^^  117. 
Piimnijii,  131. 
PyniLCjdmliis,  1 1 3. 
I'l/rodcni ■!,  111. 
Pi/romcloiia,  132. 


INDEX. 


Pyrrhocura.r.  136. 
Pyrr/iii/a,  142. 
I'p-rhiilauda,  129. 
J'i/n-/ii<ki/js/s,  £4. 


Quiiil,  Blnck-bivasled,  29. 
Quail,  Caliloi-uiini,  2U. 
Quail,  C'cinnuin,  29. 
Quail,  Fool,  20. 
Quail,  Painted,  29. 
Quail,  Harlequ'       20. 
(Juail,  Miisseua,  20. 
Qu.iil,  Mountain-,  20. 
QuMil,  New  Zealand,  29. 
Quail.  Rain-,  29. 
Quail, Van Kaalteu's  Swamp-, 

29. 
Quail,  White-faced    Crested, 

19. 
Quails.  2,  19,  2.S,  29. 
Quails,  Amei-ifan,  19. 
Quails,  Bustard-,  .'15. 
(,Umils,  Crested,  19. 
Quails,  Painted,  29. 
Quails,  8wauip-,  29. 
Queest,  llili. 
(Jnerijiiedida,  6."). 
(^lezal,  97. 
Qllisralus,  132. 
(,!uit.  Banana,  130. 
(,)uit-Quits,  130. 


Kail,  Land-.  ;«).  170. 

liail,  Wallace's.  39. 

liail.  Water-,  ;i!t,  170. 

i4ail,  Welva,  39. 

Rails,  3,  .39. 

Kainbirds.  99. 

Rain-Goose,  109. 

lialliihe.  3,  39. 

Iiullii.%  39,  170. 

Rut  the,  2,  7. 

Raven,  135,  13P.. 

Hazor-biU,  40. 

Recurviroat ra ,  53,  17-5. 

Red  Grouse  x  Black  Grouse, 
33. 

Redbreast,  1.50. 

Redpoll,  Lesser,  l."0,  140. 
Redpoll,  Mealy,  1.30. 
Redshank,  51,' 179. 
Redshank,  Spotted,  51. 
Redstart,  American.  12<S. 
Redstart,  Black,  120. 
Redstart,  Coinnion,  120. 
Red-wing,  119. 
Reed-Bunting,  1.30,  144. 
Reed-Pheasaut,  1(')2. 
Reed-Warbler,  120,  i  =^15. 
Reedling,  Bearded,  124. 
Reeler,  156. 
Reeve,  51. 
Eequlidce,  6,  124. 
Be}/ulus,  124, 159. 
Reinwardianas,  38. 
Remha,  123. 


RhampJtastidte,  5,  100. 
Rhamphasios,  101. 
Rhaiiiphococci/x,  99. 
R//a/iip/toca'lus,  131. 

Kliea,  Cfuiinion,  10. 

Rhea,  Darwin's,  10. 

Rhea,  Great-billed,  10. 

Rhcas,  2,  10. 

Rheidce,  2,  10. 

R/tciiihardtius,  23. 

Rhinoceros-Bird,  134. 

Rhinochitidie,  4,  57. 

Rfiiiwchctus,  57. 

Rhinoplax,  91,  92. 

likitiopomastus,  90. 

Rhinoptilus,  53. 

Rh'mortka,  99. 

Rhipidura,  1 16. 

Rhhuthera,  31. 

Rhodiiwcichln,  119. 

Rhodonessa,  67. 

RkodoMetkta.  48. 

Rhfipodytes,  99. 

Uliynchiips,  48. 

Rhi/nchoslrHtlms,  130. 

Rhi/nchutus,  15. 

Rifleman,  114. 
Ring-Dove,  16.5. 

King-Ouzel,  119,  14.S. 
AV'.sM,  47,  192. 
Road -runner,  99. 
Rubin,  120,  150. 
Robin,  Australian,  1  16. 
Robin,  Cliinese,  117. 
Rue,  11. 

Rock-Dove,  38,  166. 
Roi-k  hopper  Penguin,  42. 
Rock-Pipit,  I2S,  146. 
Roller,  Broad-billed,  89. 
Roller,  Common,  88. 
Roller,  Lort  Phillips',  88. 
Rollers,  5,  88. 
Rollers,  Madagascar,  88. 
Rollnlus.  29. 
Rook,  136,  138. 
Rose-Finch,  130. 
Rosella.  84. 
Ruslratidu,  50. 
Rutitrhtniu^,  78. 
Rotche,  46. 
Ridiii/ula,  117. 
Ruby-crest,  124. 
Ruby-throat,  120. 
Ruff,  51. 
Ri(picu!a,  111. 
Riipornis,  76. 


Sabre  wings,  96. 

Sage-Grouse,  32. 

Sanderling,  51. 

Sand-Grouse,  3,  34. 

Sand-Grouse,  Pallas's  Three- 
toed,  35. 

Sand-Martin,  115,  153. 

Sandpiper,  American  Pec- 
toral, 51. 

Sandpiper,  Bartram's,  51. 


Sandpiper,  Bonaparte's,  51. 
Sandpiper,  Broad-billed,  51. 
Sandpiper,  Bufi'-breasted,  51. 
Saniipiper,      Common,     51, 

179. 
Sandpiper,  Curlew,  51. 
iSandpiper,  Green,  51. 
Sandpiper,  Purple,  51. 
Sandpiper,  Snipe-bilkd,  51. 
Sandpiper,  Solitary.  51. 
Sandpiper,  Spoon-billed,  51. 
Sandpiper,  Wood-,  51. 
Sarcidiurnis,  67. 
Sarciiyphorus,  53. 
Snrcurhamphus,  73. 
iSiimi,  104. 
Saurothcra,  99. 
Saiirurie,  2,  7. 
Saw-bills,  63. 
'    So.ricolii.  120,  1.52. 
'    &  lihor/iis.  100. 
Scissoi-bill,  48. 
iSiicruriiKB,  109. 
SvlcruniSj  109. 
Scolopax,  50,  176. 
Hcop'utce,  4,  61. 
iScops,  81. 
Scapif^^  61. 

Scoter,  Common,  6.5,  187. 
ScviUipte.c,  82. 
Scotopelia,  81. 
Scotffj'/th,  93. 
Screamer,  Derbian,  C9. 
Screamers,  4.  69. 
Scrub-birds,  6,  11.5. 
Sci/t/irops,  99. 
Sea-E.'igle3,  78,  198. 
Sea-Parrot,  45,  172. 
Sea-Pies,  52,  177. 
Sea-Swallows,  48,  184. 
Secretarv-Birds,  4,  73. 
Sedge-Warbler,  120,  156. 
Seed-Snipe,  d'Orbigny's,  50. 
Seed-Snipe,  Gay's,  50. 
Seed-Snipes,  3,  50. 
i^'e^osphitrus,  9.5. 
Scli'indi'ra,  101. 
Scriciiliis,  134. 
Serin-Finch,  1.30. 
Serpent-Eagles,  77. 
Sei-jH'ii/ariidis,  4,  73. 
Serpentarius,  73. 
SeiopJuuia,  128. 
Shag,  70,  190. 
Shiihiii,  79. 
Shanias.  120.  ^   . 

Sharp-bills,  5,  112. 
Shearwater,  Greater,  44. 
Shearwater,     Little    Duski-, 

44. 
Shearwater,  Manx,  44,  172. 
Shearwater,  Sooty,  44. 
Sheath-bill,  49. 
Sheath-bill,  Lesser,  49. 
Sheath-bills,  3.  49. 
Sheld-Duck,    Common,    CO, 

188. 
Shoe-billed  Storks,  4,  61. 
R 


226 

Sliore-Liirlis,  120. 
.Short-wiiigji,  118. 
Slioyelei-s,  (J5,  190. 
Sbrike,  Great  Grey,  1-S. 
Sbrike,  Les.-er  Grey.  ]'2'^. 
Sbrike,      lled-baeked,      iL'o, 

147. 
8briks,WiiiicU-bat,  12:'.. 
Sbrikes,  f..  122. 
Sbrikes,  Ctiekoo-,  110. 
Sbrikes,  iladagasear,  ('».  122. 
Sbrikes,  Wooil-,  6,  122. 
Sinlia,  120. 
Sibia,  lis. 

Sibia,  Luns-tailed.  1  Is. 
Simorki/nr//!/.^,  4r>. 
Singiug-lbri-U,  \io. 
Si/itoniis,  110, 
Siskin,  l;iO,  HO. 
Sisiira,  116. 
Sitta,  124,  ir>7. 
SMid<e,  0,  124. 
Skua,  Arctic,  180. 
Skua,  Great,  47. 
Skua,  rmuatorbiiip,  47. 
Skua.  Rieliardsuu's,  47,  ItO. 
Skuas,  Ji,  47. 
Sky-Lark,  129,  145. 
Smew,  (Wi. 
Snake-Birds,  (i9. 
Snipe,  CViminon.  .50,  170. 
Snipe,  l)uuble,  .">0. 
Snipe,  Great,  .~)0, 
Snipe,  Jack,  51. 
Snipe,  Painted,  50. 
Snipe,  SoHtary,  50. 
.Snipe,  Sunuuer-,  179. 
Snipes,  .Seed-,  3,  50. 
Snow-Bnnting,  loO,  14o. 
Snow-Cock,  Tibetan,  'A\. 
Snow-Cocks,  vjl. 
.Snow-1'artrid^e,  28. 
Solan  Goose,  7t). 
Solitaire,  o,  37. 
''<oi»atfria,  t)4,  187. 
Song-Tbrusli,  14S. 
Songless  Birds,  107. 
Spirrow,  Tree-,  l."30. 
Sparrow-llawks,  75,  194. 
Sparrow,  House-,  loO,  141. 
Spatula,  (15,  190. 
Speottjto,  82. 
SphecolhcrtfS,  13o. 
Sphoiiscidte,  3,  42. 
Sphenisciis,  42. 
SphenocercuSj  39. 
Sphenoproctus,  9t>. 
Spibrnis,  77. 
Sphaciux,  77. 
SphiaKtiir,  77. 
Spoonbill,  Australian,  (,2. 
Spoonbill,  Coimuon,  *>2. 
Spoonbill,  Roseate,  t>2. 
Spoonbills,  4,  fi2. 
Spur-Fowl,  27. 
Spur-FoHl,  Indian,  21. 
Spur-Fowl,  Painted,  27. 
Sijuatarola,  52. 


INDEX. 

Stare,  l;i7. 

Starling,  Conmion,  134,  V.M . 

Starling,        Yellow-breasted, 

134. 
Starlings.  0.  134. 
Starlings,  Glossy,  l.'?4. 
Starlings,     Madagascar,      (i. 

l;!3. 
Starlings,  Tree-,  6,  133. 
Stcatornis,  8<i. 
StfttornUhidce,  5,  86. 
Stiyanopus,  50. 
Sfcn'orariidcB,  3,  47. 
SfcirornHiis,  47, 180. 
Stc,;ia,-iS,  183, 184, 185. 197. 
Sfictonetta,  Q'^. 
Stilt,  Black-winged,  .53. 
S^filtm,  54. 
Stint,  .\inerican,  51. 
Stint,  Little,  51. 
Stint,  Teinminck's,  51. 
Sfi/iiliinis,  121. 
Stock-Dove,  .38,  1(;7. 
Sfonccbat,  120,  151. 
Stone-Curlew,  54,  18t>. 
St<>ne-Pbeas,ants,  21,  27. 
Stone-Plovers.  3,  54. 
Stork,  Black,  I'.l. 
Stork,  Open-bdled,  62. 
Stork,  .Saddle-billed,  62. 
Stork,  Shell-,  62. 
Stork,  \Vbale-lieaded,  61. 
Stork,  Wbite,  61. 
Stork,  White-bellied,  62. 
Stork,  White-necked,  62. 
Storks,  4,  61,  62. 
.Storks.  Hammer-head,  4,  til. 
Storks,  Shoe-billed,  4,  61. 
Storm-cock,  149. 
Storm-Petrel.  171. 
Sfri</idre,  4,  82. 
S/rir/ifijrmes,  80. 
'    S/rint/ops,  83. 
.Syr/.r,  82. 
Strulhio,  8. 
Strulhionida,  2. 
Struthious  Birds,  7- 
Slurndla.  129,  132. 
Stm-nidis,  6,  134. 
Slunvuf,  134,  137. 
.S«/a.  70.  192. 
SulidiP,  4.  70. 
Suinmer-.Snipe,  179. 
Sun-birds,  6,  126. 
Suu-Bitterns,  4,  57,  108. 
Snrnicidus,  98. 
Svthm-a,  117, 118. 
Sii/oria,  121. 

Swallow,  Common,  115,  1.54. 
Swallow,  Rough-winged,  115. 
Swallows,  Sea-,  48. 
Swallow-Shrikes,  6,  122. 
Swallows,  6,  1 1.5. 
Swallows,  Wood-,  122. 
Swallow-wing.  Brazilian,  105. 
Swan,  Bewick's,  (i8. 
Swan,  Black,  68. 
Swan,  Black-necked,  68. 


Swan,  Coscoroba,  6S. 
Swan,  Mule,  68. 
Swan,  Polish,  68. 
Swan,  Trumpeter,  i^. 
Swan,  Wbooper,  OS. 
Swans,  4,  68. 
Swift,  Alpine,  94. 
Swift,  Common,  94.  1(J8. 
Swifts,  .5,  93. 
Swifts,  Crested,  94. 
Swifts,  Ksculent,  94,  198. 
Swifts,  Palm-,  94. 
.Swifts,  Spine-tailed,  94. 
S//cnlif,  130. 
Si/h'ia,  155,  156. 
Si/lmidte,  0,  120. 
tiyma,  8'7. 
Si/nallaxis,  110. 
Si/noicits,  28,  29. 
SynihHbnrhu /nphufi,  4(>. 
Hyphf^ot is,  .56. 
Syrnium,  82,  182. 
Hyrrhnptes,  35. 

Taccuciia,  99. 
Taehornis,  94. 
Taahyeres,  i\o. 
2'achi/triorchis,  76. 
Tm/orna.  (i6,  188. 
Tailor-hirds.  121. 
Tah'yaUn!!,  17. 
Tanagers,  6,  131. 
Tana  grill  le,  6,  131. 
Ta?ti/gnafJiiis,  84. 
Tani/siptcra,  88. 
Ta|-,.'icolns,  5,  108. 
Teal,  .\iiieriean,  6,5. 
Teal,  Baikal,  (i5. 
Teal,  Blue-winged,  65. 
Teal,  Cinnamon-,  fjS. 
Teal,  Common,  65,  189. 
Teal,  Cotton-.  67. 
Teal,  B'alcated,  05. 
Tern,  Arctic,  48,  1S5. 
Tern,  Black,  48. 
Tern,  Bridled,  48. 
Tern,  Caspian,  48. 
Tern,  Common.  48,  184. 
Tern,  Gull-billed,  48. 
Tern,  Little.  48.  185. 
Tern,  Roseate,  48,  183. 
Tern,    Sandwich,     48,    183, 

197. 
Tern,  .Scissor-billed,  48. 
Tern,  ,Sooty,  48. 
Tern,  Whiskered,  48. 
Tern,  While,  48. 
Tern,  White-winged,  48. 
Terns,  3,  47. 

Terpsiphoue,  116. 

Tetrao.  31,  160. 

Tetraiigalhis,  31. 

Tetraonidie,  2,  31. 

Teirapteryx,  59. 

Tetrastcs,  33. 

Te.lrax,  55. 

Thalassoyf/on,  43. 


Tliick-knec,  ,i4,  ISO. 
Thick-kiiee,  Australian,  55. 
Thick-knee,  Large-billed,  65. 
Thinocoriin,  511. 
ThrarkU'ti's,  7(1. 
Til  rasher,  Leeonte's,  ll'.l. 
Throstle,  148. 

Thrush,  Blaek-throated,  Hi). 
Thrush,  Laughing,  117. 
'Jhrush,  Misile-,  119,  149. 
Thru^h,  Roek-,  119. 
Thrush,  Sung-,  119,  148. 
Tliru.sli,  Siberian,  119, 
Thrush,  White's,  119,  149. 
Thrushes.  t>.  1 19. 
Thrushes,  Chi.t-.  120. 
Thrushes,  Watlleil  Ant-,  114. 
Thrushes,  Wliistling-,  US. 
2'icliodroirHi,  I'S). 
TimcliiiUe,  6.  117. 
Tiiia)iiiti<e,  2,  14. 
TiiuDiwtis,  15. 
Tinamou,  Rul'escent,  15. 
Tinamous,  2,  14. 
Tituimiif,  15. 
Tinker-bird,  l(i2. 
Titlark,  129,  145 
Titmouse,   Be.'irded,    6,   124, 

1()2. 
Titmouee,  Blue.  12:j,  1112. 
'Jitniuuse,  C'oul,  123. 
Titmouse,  Crested,  123,  159. 
Titmou.se,  Great,  V-S,  Mi.!. 
Titmouse,   Long-tailed,    12.'!, 

1()3. 
Titmouse,  Marsh-,  \'-\,  ll)2. 
Tituuiuse,  Sultan,  123. 
Tils,  C,  123. 
Tits,  Bearded,  fi,  1-24. 
Tits,  Wren-,  (i,  124. 
Tils,  Crow-,  118. 
Titf/m,  111. 
Tmetolhiilai-uf,  128. 
Todidie^b,  90. 
Todies,  5,  90. 
Todir/zampkits,  88. 
7br/KS,  90. 
Tolaninie,  51. 
'I'otunu.^,  179. 
'Toucan,  Green,  lOl. 
Toueau,        Orange-breasted, 

101. 
Toueans,  5,  Kill, 
Tour.ieo,  Great  Crested,  100. 
Tuuraeo,  Violet,  100. 
Tuuracos,  5,  100. 
'rravhcopho)ue,  107. 
'rniijopan,  27. 
'I'raveivia,  114. 
Tree-Creepers,  125,  157. 
Tree-Pipit,  128,  147. 
Treniii,  39. 
Tric/wfflossUK,  85. 
Tricholiema,  102. 
Trinya,  177. 
Tringouhs,  1 79. 
'I'roi'hilidte.  5,  95. 
Truglodytidte,  ^,  118. 


Troffoii,  97. 
Trogoiiidis,  5,  97. 
Trogo))ifurme$,  97. 
Trogons.  .5,  97. 
Tropic-Bird,  Fulvous,  72. 
Tropic-Bird,  Red-tailed,  72. 
Tropic-liirds,  4,  72. 
Troupials,  132. 
Trumpeters,  4,  -58, 
TritpialiA,  132. 
Trijpaiiocoi-ftXy  138. 
Tu'i,  127. 
Z'«;v;rK,s  UK). 
Tiirdid<e.  (i,  119. 
Tiirduf,  148,  149. 
Turkey,  Amerieaii   21. 
Turkey,  Houd.iras,  21. 
Turkey,  Mexican,  21. 
Turkeys.  2,  21. 
Turkey-Vultures.  4,  72. 
T/tri/iridtp,  3,  3.5. 
I'ur/ux,  30. 
Turnstone,  52. 
Turtle-Dove,  38,  1<)G. 
7'urtur,  38,  let). 
Twite.  130,  141. 
Ti/iiipantK'hus,  31,  32. 
Tyniiinidte,  5,  112. 
T\ rant-birds,  5.  112. 
Tyrant,  King-,  113. 
Tyrants,  Olive,  113. 
Tvstie,  40. 


Umbrella-birds,  110. 
I'liiijici.  90,  173. 
Uiii'iiidte,  5,  90. 
Undelorn  is,  88. 
Una,  46,  193. 
Uroaetu^,  77. 
Urocis.-iti,  136, 


Vanellus,  52,  174. 
Vanya,  122. 
Vangida,  0.  122. 
Vesliaria,  127. 
Vidua,  131. 
Viduas,  131. 
J'tni,  So. 
lireo,  121. 
Vireoiiidw,  0,  121. 
Vorondreo,  88. 
Vultiir,  74. 

Vulture,  Bearded,  70. 
Vulture,  Black,  74. 
Vulture,  Black  Turkey-,  73. 
Vulture,  Californian.  73. 
Vulture,  Cinereous,  74. 
Vulture,  Condor.  73. 
Vulture,  Eared,  74. 
Viiltvn-e,  Egyptian,  74. 
Vulture,  Griiibn-,  74. 
Vulture,  Himalayan  Griffou- 

74. 
Vulture,  King-,  73. 
Vulture,  .-ociable,  74. 
Vulture,  White-headed,  74. 


Vultures,  4,  74. 
Vultures,  Turkey-,  4, 
Vutturidie,  4,  71. 


Wagtail,  Blue-headed,  128. 
Wagtail,  Grev,  128. 
Wagtail,  Pied.  12S,  140. 
Wagtail,  Ray's,  128. 
Wagtail,  Wliite,  128. 
Wagtail,  Yellow,  128,  140. 
Wagtails,  0,  128. 
Wall-creeper,  125. 
Warbler,  Aquatic,  120. 
Warbler,  Barred,  121. 
Warbler,        Dartlor.l,      12'1, 

154. 
Warbler,  Garden-,  120,  150. 
Warbler,  Golden.  128. 
Warbler,  Grass-,  120. 
Warbler,  Grassiiopper-,  120, 

157. 
Warbler,  Great  Reed-,  120. 
Warbler,  Greenish  Willow-, 
121. 

Icterine,  120. 

Marsh-,  120. 

Melodious,  120. 

Orphean,  121. 
Ballas'     Willow-, 


Warble 

Warble 

Warble 

Warbler, 

\\'arbler, 

121. 
■R'arbler,  Radde's,  120. 
Warbler,  Reed-,  120,  1.50. 
Warbler,  Rufous,  120. 
W^arbler,  Savi's,  121. 
Warbler,  Sedge-,  120,  1.5r,. 
Warbler,  Subalpine,  121. 
Warbler,  Thoru-iailed,  110. 
Warbler,  Willow-,  120,  153. 
Warbler,      Yellow-browed 

Willow-,  121. 
Warblers,  0,  120. 
Warblers,  American,  0,  127. 
Waterhen.  40,  171. 
Water-Ouzels,  118,  149. 
Water-Rail,  39,  170. 
Waxwing.  121. 
Weaver-Finches,  (!,  131. 
Weavers,  Sociable,  132. 
■\Veka  R.-iil,  39. 
Wheatear,      Black-throated, 

120, 
Wheatear,     Common,     120, 

151. 
Wheatear,  Desert,  120. 
Wheatear,  l<abelline,  120. 
Whimbrel,  51. 
Whinchat,  120,  151. 
Whip-poor-U  ill,  92. 
White-eyes,  0,  125. 
Wllitotliroat,  120,  1.55. 
Whilethroat,  Lesser,  120. 
Whydah-birds,  131. 
Wigeon,  6(i,  189. 
Wigeon,  American.  60. 
Willow-Grouse  X  Black 

Grouse,  34. 
WilloH-Warbler,  120,  153. 


:2:»8 


INDEX. 


Winged  Wolf,  70. 

\V()iifj;.i-\vongn,  38. 

WDodeook,  51',  170. 

Wood-lK'Hs,  yj. 

Wiiud-lievvers,  5,  lOt). 

W'ootl-IIoopoca,  DO. 

Wootl-Livrk,  lli',1. 

Wood-Owl,  182. 

Wood-Pni-ti-idge,  EInok,  30. 

Wood-1'arl  ridge,      Crimsoii- 
bead.'d,  ;iO. 

Wood-Pai-ti'idge,     Fernigin- 
011.S,  30. 

Woodpecker,  .\nt.-pnting.  1 03. 

Woodpecker.  Golden- 

winged.  103. 

Woodpecker,     Ureal    IJhiek, 
104. 

Wctodiiecker,     Great     Slaty, 
104. 

Woodpecker,    Gi'eater  Spot- 
led,  KM,  Km,  1'.I8. 

^Voodpecker.  Gri'cn,  103,  Kit. 

Woodpecker,  Gronnd-,  103. 

Woodpecker,  JIairy,  104. 

Woodpecker,       Ivory-biUetl, 
101. 


Woodpecker,  Lesser  Sjiotted, 

104,  1(14. 
Woodpecker,  Lewks's,  103. 
Woodpecker,  Middle 

Spotted,  104. 
Woodpecker,  Rufous,  103. 
Wood  pecker,        Tli  ree-toed , 

104. 
Woodpeckers,  .^),  10.3. 
Wood-1'igeon,  38,  10.5. 
Wood-Shrike,  Kiipj)eir.«, 

122. 
\Vood-Shrikp9,  C^,  122. 
Wood-Swa'lows,  12-'. 
Wood- Wren,  120,  102. 
Wren,  Emu-,  121. 
Wren,  lis,  150. 
Wicn,  Fire-crested,  124. 
Wren,  Golden-crested, G,  124, 

1.59. 
Wren,  Great  Bay,  118. 
Wren-Tils,  l>,  124. 
Wren,  Wo.id-,  120,  152. 
Wrens,  I),  1 18. 
Wryneck,      Goiuniou,      104, 

105. 
Wrj' necks,  103. 


Xanthoheum,  101. 
Xanthopyc/ia,  1 10. 
Xaitthura,  130. 
Xema,  48. 
Xcnicidie,  0,  114. 
Xeniciis,  114. 
Xn/iops,  110. 
Xenorhynchits,  02. 
Xiph  idioptcrus,  .53. 
Xiphocolapf(:<.  101). 
Xiphulena,  111. 
Xiphorham/ihiis,  117. 
Xiphorhyiivhus,  109. 


Yaflle,  103,  104. 
Yellow  Hammer,  144. 
Yellowsliank,  51. 
Y'iperu,  1 13. 
yuliiiia,  118. 


Zattclustomits,  09. 
ZoderopiiJte,  li,  125. 
Zosteropii,  12.5, 


TIIH    K.M). 


PKINTKU  BV  TAVLOlt  AKU  FKANC'IS,  llED  LION  COUKT,  FLEET  STKEET. 


BRITISH  MUSEUM  (NATURAL   HISTORY). 


PATS  AND  HOURS  OF  ADMISSION. 


AMNH   LIBRAHY 


100101983 


The  Exhibition  Galleri( 

3S  are 

open  to  the  Public,  free,  every  week- 

day  in 

January, 

from  10  A.M 

till  4       P.M. 

Febraary, 

j>     j»    ?» 

„   4.30  „ 

March, 

f)      If     11 

„   5.30   „ 

April  to  August, 

»»      «     )i 

,,   6        „ 

September, 

>i     >>    i» 

„   5.30   „ 

October, 

»»      j»     »» 

.,   5        „ 

November  and  December, 

j»      i»     »i 

,.   4        „ 

Also,  from  May  1st  to  the  middle  of  July,  on  Mondays  and  Satur- 
days only,  till  8  p.m., 

and  from  the  middle  of  July  to  the  end  of  August,  on  Mondays 
and  Saturdays  only,  tiU  7  p.m. 

The   Museum   is   also  open   on   Sunday   afternoons  throughout   the 
year. 

The  Museum  is  closed  on  Good-Friday  and  Christmas-Day. 

By  Order  of  the  Trustees, 

E.  RAY  LANKESTER, 
Director. 


\