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EB    31940 


LIBRARY 


TO  THE 


GALLERY    OF    BIRDS 

IN  THE 

DEPARTMENT     OF     ZOOLOGY, 
BRITISH    MUSEUM    (NATURAL    HISTORY). 


Part  I, 


GENERAL   SERIES. 


SECOND    EDITION. 


WITH     1     PLATE    AND    7    TEXT-FIGURES. 


LONDON 

PRINTED  BY  ORDER  OF  THE  TRUSTEES 
OF  THE  BRITISH  MUSEUM. 


1021. 

Price  Two  Shillings  and  Sixpence. 


GUIDE 


TO  THE 


GALLERY    OF    BIRDS 

IN  THE 

DEPARTMENT     OF     ZOOLOGY, 
BRITISH    MUSEUM    (NATURAL    HISTORY). 


Part  I. 

General  Series. 


SECOND    EDITION. 

WITH    1     PLATE    AND    7    TEXT-FIGURES. 


LONDON: 

PRINTED  BY  ORDER  OF  THE  TRUSTEES 
OF  THE  BRITISH  MUSEUM. 

1921. 

(All  rights  reserved.) 


PRINTED    BY    TAYLOR     AND    FRANCIS, 
RED    LION    COURT,    FLEET    STREET. 


TO  THE  FIRST  EDITION. 


THIS  Guide  to  the  General  Series  of  Specimens  in  the  Bird 
Gallery  has  been  prepared  by  Mr.  W.  R.  Ogilvie-Grant, 
Assistant  in  the  Zoological  Department.  He  has  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 
gallery  the  common  names  of  the  kinds  of  birds  there  exhibited 
are  displayed  in  large  capitals,  whilst  a  label  is  placed  on  the 
gluss  front  of  each  case  showing  the  common  name  of  any 
specially  interesting  or  well-known  bird  which  is  near  the 
label.  Further,  every  specimen  has  now  attached  to  its 
stand,  not  only  its  name  but  a  number  which  is  a  reference 
number  for  the  Guide. 

E.  RAY  LANKESTER. 

March  16th,  1905. 


IN  view  of  the  increased  cost  of  printing,  it  has  been  thought 
desirable  to  suspend  the  publication  of  -the  complete  Guide  to 
the  Gallery  of  Birds.  This  consisted  of  Parts  I.  and  II. 

M83129 


IV  PREFACE. 

together,  an  Appendix  on  the  structure  of  Birds  and  a  series  of 
25  Plates.  A  First  Edition  of  Part  I.,  without  the  Appendix 
and  the  Plates,  appeared  in  1905.  The  present  Guide  is 
practically  a  reprint  (with  a  few  verbal  corrections)  of  that 
issue,  with  the  addition  of  the  Appendix  and  Plate  XXV. 
Plates  I.-XXIV.  can  be  purchased  separately  (price  Is.  6d.). 

The  statements  in  the  Preface  to  the  First  Edition  are  no 
longer  completely  in  accordance  with  the  method  of  labelling 
adopted  in  the  Bird  Gallery. 

SIDNEY  F.  HARMER, 

Director. 

BRITISH  MUSEUM  (NAIURAL  HISTOKT), 
Cromwell  Road, 

London,  S.W.  7. 
March,  1921. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGK 
DESCRIPTION-  OF  THE  SPECIMENS  IN  THE  BIRD  GALLERY  .     .  1 

APPENDIX  ON  THE  STRUCTURE  OP  BIRDS 137 

INDEX  ....          , J51 


DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    SPECIMENS 


IN    THE 


BIRD    GALLERY. 


IN  this  Gallery,  which  is  devoted  to  the  exhibition  of  mounted  specimens 
of  the  general  series  of  birds,  the  contents  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 
which  are  described  in  Part  II,  published  separately,  of  the  Guide. 

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

All  the  species  of  birds  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  in  this  country. 

(2)  Regular  summer  visitor.     Breeds. 

(3)  Regular   autumn,  winter  or  spring  visitor.      Does  not 

breed. 

(4)  Occasional  visitor.     Used  to  breed. 

(5)  Occasional  visitor.     Never  known  to  breed. 

In  addition  to  the  above  a  complete  series  of  British  birds  will  be 
found  exhibited  in  the  pier-cases  in  the  Pavilion  at  the  end  of  the 
Gallery. 


BIRD    GALLERY. 


The  arrangement  adopted  in  the  Gallery  is  as  follows  :— 

AVES. 

Subclass  I.  SAURUR^:.      (Lizard-tailed  Birds.) 


FAMILY. 


Order  Archaeopteryges. 

ENGLISH  NAME.  CASK. 

Archaeopteryx,  or  Griffon-  Right-hand  side  of 

bird,  entrance  to  Gallery. 


V    §uM^4iI.^NEORNITHES.     (Modern  Birds.) 
Section  A.  EATIT2E. 


Struthionidfe 


Rheidae 


Order  I.  Struthioniformes. 
Ostriches. 

Order  II.  Rheiformes. 
Rheas. 


Order  III.  Dinornithiformes . 

Dinornithidfe Moas. 

Order  IV.  .ffipyornithiformes. 
^Epyornithidse        Madagascar  Moas. 


I.  Dromaeidse 
II.  Casuariidfe 


Apterygidre 


Tinamidse 


Order  V.  Casuariiformes. 

Emus. 

Cassowaries. 


Order  VI.  Apterygiformes. 
........     Kiwis. 

Order  VII.  Tinamiformes. 
........     Tinamous. 


1  and  central 
case  in  bay. 

•     1  &2. 


8. 


8. 


4. 
5  &  6  and 

central  case. 

5. 


Central  table-case. 


I.  Megapodiidae 
II.  Cracidse 

I.  Phasianidae 
IE.  Tetraonidse 


Section  B.  CAEINAT^. 

Order  I.  Galliformes. 

Suborder  1.  PEEISTEKOPODES. 
........     Megapodes,    or    Mound- 

builders. 
Curassows  and  Guans. 


Suborder  2.  ALECTOROPODES. 

i  Americai)Partridges,G  uiut  a- 
-i      Fowls,  Turkeys,  Pheasants, 

(      Partridges,  Quails. 
Grouse. 


9-16  and 
central  case. 

17  &  18. 


CLASSIFICATION. 


3 


Order  II.  Pterocletiformes. 

FAMILY.                              ENGLISH  NAME.  CASK. 

Pteroclidae              Sand-Grouse.  Table-case. 

Order  III.  Turniciformes. 
Turnicidae  Hemipodes,  or  Bustard-Quails.     Table-case. 

Order  IV.  Columbiformes. 

I.  Dididae  Dodo,  Solitaire.  Table-cases,  and 

picture  in  cases  19-20. 

II.  Didunculidae           Tooth-billed  Pigeon.  19. 

III.  Columbidae             Pigeons.  19  &  20. 

Order  V.  Ralliformes. 

I.  Rallidse                   Rails.  22. 

II.  Heliornithidae         Finfoots.  22. 

Order  VI.  Podicipediformes. 

Podicipedidas          Grebes.  21. 

Order  VII.  Colymbiformes. 

Colymbidas             Divers.  21. 

Order  VIII.  Sphenisciformes. 

Spheniscidae           Penguins.  Central  case. 

Order  IX.  Procellariiformes. 

I.  Diomedeidse            Albatroses.  23. 

II.  Procellariidae           Petrels.  23  &  24. 

Order  X.  Alciformes. 

Alcidas                    Auks.  24. 

Order  XI.  Lariformes. 

I.  Stercorariidfe          Skuas.  26. 

II.  Laridae                     Gulls  and  Terns.  25  &  26. 

Order  XII.  Charadriiformes. 

I.  Dromadidne             Crab-Plovers.  27. 

II.  Chionididte              Sheathbills.  27. 

III.  Attagidse                 Seed-Snipes.  27. 

IV.  Charadriidse            Plovers.  27  &  28. 

V.  Cursoriidae              Coursers.  29. 

VI.  Glareolidae               Pratincoles.  29. 

VII.  Parridae                  Jacanas.  29. 

VIII.  CEdicnemidae          Stone-Plovers.  29. 

IX.  Otididae                   Bustards.  29  &  30  and 

central  case. 

Order  XIII.  Opisthocomiformes. 

Opisthocomidaj       Hoatzjns.  Table-case. 


BIRD  GALLERY. 


Order  XIV.  Gruiformes. 

FAMILY,                                      ENGLISH  NAME.  OASB. 

I.  Aramidae                   Limpkins.  31. 

II.  Ehinochetidae            Kagus.  31. 

III.  Eurypygidas                Sun-Bitterns.  31. 

IV.  Cariamidse                  Carianias.  31. 

V.  Psophiidse                   Trumpeters.  31. 

VI.  Gruidje                        . . '. Cranes.  31  &  32. 

Order  X  V.  Ardeiformes. 

I.  Ardeidse                      Herons  and  Bitterns.  33  &  34. 

II.  Baleenicipitidee           . ...     Shoe-billed  Storks'.  35. 

III.  Scopidae                      Hammer-head  Stork's.  35. 

IV.  Ciconiidse                   Storks.  35  &  36. 

V.  Ibididfe                      Ibises.  35. 

VI.  Plataleidaa                 Spoonbills.  36. 

Order  XVI.  Anseriformes. 

...  i  I  Mergansers,  Ducks,  Geese,  I         37-42  and 

I     Swans.  I        central  case. 

Order  XVII.  Phcenicopteriformes. 

Phcenicopteridse        Flamingoes.  42. 


Palamedeidae 


Order  XVIII.  Palamedeiformes. 
Screamers. 


Order  XIX.  Pelecaniformes, 
I.  Phalacrocoracidee       Darters,  Cormorants. 


II.  Sulidaa 

III.  Pelecanidse 

IV.  Fregatidas 

V.  Phaethontidse 


Cathartidee 
Serpentariidee 

I.  Vulturidaa 
II.  Falconidfe 

III.  Pandionidas 

"I.  Bubonidee 
II.  Strigidaa 

I.  Psittacidse 

II.  Loriidse 


Gannets. 
Pelicans. 
Frigate-birds. 
Tropic-birds. 


Order  XX.  Cathartiformes. 
Turkey-Vultures. 

Order  XXI.  Serpentariiformes. 
Secretary-birds. 

Order  XXII.  Accipitriformes. 

Vultures. 

Eagles,  Hawks. 

Ospreys. 


42. 


43. 
43. 
44. 
44. 
44. 


45  and  table-case. 


45. 


45  &  46  and  table-case. 
46-53. 
53. 


Order  XXIII.  Strigiformes. 

Horned  and  Wood-Owls. 

Barn-Owls 

Order  XXIV.  Psittaciformes. 

True  Parrots. 

Lories   or  Brush-tongued 

Parrots. 


54  and  table-case. 
54. 


55  &  56. 
56. 


CLASSIFICATION. 


Order  XXV.  Coraciiformes. 

FAMILY.  ENGLISH  NAME. 

I.  Steatornithidae  Oil-birds. 

II.  Podargidae  Frog-mouths. 

III.  Alcedinidse  Kingfishers. 

IV.  Leptosomatidae  Kirombos. 

V.  Coraciidae  Rollers. 

VI.  Meropidae  Bee-eaters. 

VII.  Momotidse  Motmots. 

VIII.  Todidaj  Todies. 

IX.  Upupidae  Hoopoes. 

X.  Bucerotidae Hornbills. 

XI.  CaprimulgidsB  Nightjars  or  Goatsuckers. 

XII.  Cypselidaa  Swifts; 

XIII.  Trochilidaj  Humming-birds. 

XIV.  Collide  Colies. 

Order  XXVI.  Trogoniformes. 

Trogonidsc  Trogons. 

Order  XXVII.  Cuculiformes. 

I.  Cuculidae  Cuckoos. 

II.  Musophagidse  Touracos, 


I.  Rhamphastidae 
II.  Capitonidae 

HI.  Indicatoridse 

IV.  Picidaa 
V.  Bucconidae 

VI.  Galbulidas 


Eurylsemidaa 
Meuuridifi 


I.  Pteroptochidae 
II.  Conopophagidas 

III.  Formicariidae 

IV.  Dendrocolaptidae 


1.  Cotingidae 

II.  Pipridae 

III.  Oxyrhamphidte 

IV.  Tyrannidae 


Order  XXVIII.  Piciformes. 

Toucans. 

Barbets. 

Honey-guides. 

Woodpeckers. 

Puff-birds. 

Jacamars. 

Order  XXIX.  Eurylaemiformes. 
Broadbills. 

Order  XXX.  Menturiformes. 
Lyre-birds. 

Order  XXXI.  Passeriformes. 
Section  A.  MESOMYODI. 

Group  I.  TRACHEOPHON.S:. 

Tapacolas. 

Conopophagas. 

Ant-birds. 

Wood-hewers. 


Group  II. 


American  Chatterers. 
Manakins. 
Sharp-bills. 
Tyrant-birds. 


CASH. 
57. 
57. 
57. 
58. 
58. 
58. 
58. 
58. 
58. 

59&60. 
61. 
61. 
62. 
63. 


63. 


64. 
63. 


65. 
65. 
65. 
66. 
67. 
67. 


67. 


67. 


68. 


69. 
69. 
70. 
70. 


BIRD    GALLEftY. 


FAMILY. 
V.  Phytotomidae          

ENGLISH  NAME. 
Plant-cutters. 

CASK. 
70. 
70. 
70. 
70. 

71. 
71. 
71. 
71. 
73. 
72. 
73. 
73. 
73. 
74. 
75. 
75. 
75. 
75. 
76. 
76. 
76. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
77. 
78. 
78. 
78. 
78. 
79  &  80. 
80. 
80. 
81. 
81  &  82. 
82. 
82. 
82. 
83. 
83. 
ntral  table-case. 
Central  case. 
PR  &  R4_ 

VI.  Pittidse                    

Pittas  or  Ant-thrushes. 

VII.  Philepittidifi           

Wattled  Ant-thrushes. 

Vni.  Xenicidse                 

New  Zealand  Bush-  Wrens. 

Section 

B.  ACHOMYODI. 

Scrub-birds. 

II.  Hirundinidse           

.  .     Swallows. 

III.  Muscicapidae           

.  .     Flycatchers. 

IV.  Campophagidse       

.  .     Cuckoo-Shrikes. 

V.  Pycnonotidas           

.  .     Bulbuls. 

VI.  Timeliidfe                

.  .     Babblers. 

VII.  Troglodytidfe          

Wrens. 

VIII.  Cinclidaa                  

Dippers, 

IX.  Mimidae                   

Mocking-birds. 

X.  TurdidiB                  

.  .     Thrushes. 

XL  Sylviidse                  

Warblers. 

XII.  Vireonidse               

.  .     Greenlets. 

XIII.  Ampelidse               

.  .     Chatterers. 

XIV.  Artamidae               

.  .     Swallow-Shrikes. 

XV.  Vangidae                 

Madagascar  Shrikes. 

XVI.  Prionopidae             

.  .     WTood-Shrikes 

XVII.  Laniidae                   

,  .     Shrikes  or  Butcher-birds 

XVIII.  Paridas                    

.  .     Tits  or  Titmice 

XIX.  Panuridae                

.  .     Bearded  Tits 

XX.  Chamaeidae             

Wren-Tits 

XXI.  Kegulidaj                

.  .     Golden-crested  Wrens 

XXII.  Sittidse                   

.  .     Nuthatches 

XXIII.  Certhiidse                

.  .     Tree-Creepers 

XXIV.  Zosteropidas            

,  .      White-eyes 

XXV.  Dicseidse                 

.  .     Flower-peckers 

XXVI.  NectariniidsB           

Sun-birds 

XXVII.  Drepanididae           

.  .     Hawaiian  Honey-suckers 

XXVIII.  Meliphagid»          

.  .     Honey-suckers 

XXIX.  Mniotiltidaa            

American  AVarblers 

XXX.  Motacillidae            

.  .     Wagtails  and  Pipits 

XXXI.  Alaudidae                

.  .     Larks. 

XXXII.  Fringillidce              

.  .     Finches  and  Buntings 

XXXIII.  Coerebidaa                

.       American  Creepers 

XXXIV.  Tanagridaj               

.  .     Tana°"ers 

XXXV.  Ploceidse                 

.  .     \Veaver-Finche^ 

XXXVI.  Icteridae                  ... 

Han  "'-nests 

XXXVII.  OriolidiB                 

Orioles 

XXXVIII.  Dicruridse 

,  .     Droncos 

XXXIX.  Eurycerotidae          

Madagascar  Starlin°s 

XL.  Eulabetidre             

XLI.  Sturnidae                 

.      Starlings 

XLII.  Ptilonorhvnchidas 

Bower-birds                        Ce 

XLIII.  Paradiseidae            

,     Paradise-birds 

XL1V.  Corvidae 

Crowe. 

STRUTHIOUS  BIRDS.  ' 

[Right-hand  side  of  entrance 

Subclass  I.    SATJIlUR.3i].  to  Gallery.     Restoration  and 

framed  cast  of  fossil  remains.] 

Fossil  remains,  hitherto  only  found  in  the  lithographic  slate  of 
Solenhofen,  in  Bavaria,  indicate  that  birds  existed  in  the  Upper  Jurassic 
geological  age,  differing  in  certain  points  from  those  now  existing.  The 
jaws  were  armed  with  teeth,  and  the  three  digits  of  the  fore-limb  were 
furnished  with  claws.  The  tail  consisted  of  a  series  of  elongated 
vertebrae,  gradually  tapering  to  the  extremity,  each  vertebra  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 
Saurura,  signifying  '  Lizard-  tailed/  has  been  applied  to  the  group. 

The  best  known  representative  of  this  subclass  is  the  Archceopteryx 
lithographica  (1 ).  A  cast  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  ninth  edition  of  the  "  Guide  to  the  Fossil 
Mammals  and  Birds,"  pp.  93-95  (1909). 

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.  Ratitce,  and  B.  Carinatce.  The  first  contains  the  Struthious  Birds 
and  the  Tinamous,  and  the  second  all  the  existing  Birds  not  included 
in  the  previous  division. 

Section  A.  RATIT^E. 
STEUTHIOUS  BIRDS  AND  TINAMOUS. 

In  this  Subclass  are  included  all  the  great  flightless  species  of  the 
Ostrich-tribe  commonly  known  as  the  Struthious  Birds,  as  well  as  the 
Tinamous.  The  name  Ratitae  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  parts  of  the  earth  where  they  have  long  since 
ceased  to  exist.  A  number  of  fossil  forms  are  known. 

The  Ratitse  may  be  distinguished  from  all  other  birds  by  the  bones 
o!;  the  palate,  the  pterygoid  never  forming  a  jointed  articulation  with 


8  BIRJ)  GALLERY. 

the  palatine,  but  forming  a  close  union  either  by  fusion  or  by  over- 
lapping suture  with  the  base  of  the  vomer. 

The  majority  of  the  members  of  this  group  have  become  flightless, 
a  fact  which  has  brought  about  many  modifications  of  the  skeleton 
and  feathers.  The  Tinamous  alone  have  retained  the  power  of 
flight. 

The  Ratitse  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  the  structure  of  the  palate,  the  members  of  this  section 
may  be  regarded  as  the  most  primitive  of  living  birds. 

The  seven  Orders  of  the  Ratitse  are  the  following  : — 

1.  Struthioniformes  .     One  genus,  Struthio. 

2.  Rheiformes     Two  genera,  Rhea  and  Pterocnemia. 

3.  Dinornithiformes  •  )  _T 

„.  .  ,  .„  >  Numero us  genera.     Extinct  forms. 

4.  ^Bpyornithiformes  ) 

5.  Casuariiforrnes  ...     Two  genera,  Casuarius  and  Dromaus. 

6.  Apterygiformes . . .     One    living    genus,    Apteryx,    and    two 

extinct  genera. 

7.  Tinamiformes     ,..     Numerous  genera. 

The  characters  by  which  the  Orders  are  distinguished  are  fully 
explained  in  the  table-case  in  the  first  bay. 


Order  1.  STRUTHIONIFORMES.     OSTRICH-TRIBE. 
in  Bay.jj 

Though  closely  allied  to  the  Rheas,  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.  The  body- 
feathers  are  single,  having  no  aftershaft,  and  the  feathers  of  the  wings 
and  tail  (corresponding  to  the  '  remiges  '  and  'rectrices*  of  ordinary 
birds)  are  of  considerable  size,  but  soft  and  plumose. 

Family  STRUTHIONID^E.     OSTRICHES. 

The  Ostriches,  the  largest  of  living  birds,  are  represented  by  the 
single  genus  Struthio,  which  contains  at  least  four  living  species 


OSTRICHES.  9 

inhabiting  Africa  and  Arabia.  In  former  times  their  range  was 
much  more  extensive,  and  fossil  forms  have  been  found  in  the  Pliocene  of 
the  Siwalik  Hills  of  India  and  in  the  Upper  Miocene  of  Samos.  The 
Common  or  Northern  Ostrich  (S.  camelus}  (3)  is  found  in  Northern 
arid  Western  Africa,  and  ranges  eastwards  to  Abyssinia,  Arabia,  and 
South  Palestine ;  a  somewhat  different  form,  the  Masai  Ostrich 
(S.  massaicus)  (3  a),  inhabits  East  Africa;  in  Somali-land  and  Central 
Africa  S.  molybdophanes  occurs  ;  and  in  South  Africa  its  place  is  taken 
by  S.  australis  (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  are  black  with  white  wings  and  tail.  They 
may,  however,  be  readily  distinguished  inter  se,  for  S.  camelus  and 
S.  massaicus  have  the  skin  of  the  head  and  neck  of  a  bright  flesh- 
colour,  while  in  the  other  two  species  it  is  grey ;  S.  camelus  and 
S.  molybdophanes  have  a  horny  shield  on  the  crown,  which  is  wanting 
in  S.  massaicus  and  S.  australis.  The  plumage  of  the  females  and 
young  males  is  brownish-grey.  The  general  tint  of  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  with  herds  of 
zebras  and  antelopes.  Though  as  many  as  fifty  individuals  may  some- 
times be  seen  in  company,  they  are  more  often  met  with  in  parties  of 
five  or  six,  especially  during  the  breeding-season,  when  the  polygamous 
male  is  accompanied  by  several  hens.  The  hens  belonging  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  newly-hatched  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  African 
farms,  where  numbers  of  birds  are  annually  reared,  the  plumes  are 
plucked  every  six  or  nine  months. 


10  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Order  II.  RHEIFORMES.     RHEA-TRIBE. 

[Cases 

1  &  2>J  In  South  America  the  place  of  the  Ostriches  of  the  Old  World  is 
taken  by  an  allied  group  of  birds  called  Rheas,  or  ''American  Ostriches/' 
which  are  distinguished  by  certain  structural  characters,  and  externally 
by  the  presence  of  three  toes  furnished  with  compressed  claws,  by  the 
fully-feathered  head  and  neck,  and  by  the  absence  of  a  conspicuously 
feathered  tail.  The  wings  also  are  proportionately  larger,  and  are 
covered  with  long  slender  plumes.  As  in  the  Strut hionidce,  the 
body-feathers  are  single,  without  an  aftershaft,  a  character  which 
separates  these  birds  from  the  Emus  and  Cassowaries. 

Family  RHEIDJE.     RHEAS. 

The  Rheas  include  three  South  American  species,  viz.  : — Roth- 
schild's Rhea  (Rhea  rothschildi]  (4),  found  from  Southern  Brazil  and 
Bolivia  southwards;  the  Great-billed  Rhea  (R.  americana)  inhabiting 
North-east  Brazil;  and  Darwin's  Rhea  (Pterocnemia  pcnnata)  (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  inhabit  the  great  Pampas  and  scrub-covered  plains  in  larger  or 
smaller  flocks,  often  associating  with  deer  and  guanacos.  In  the  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  flock,  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  round  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  are 
assiduously  tended  and  watched  over  by  the  cock-bird,  who  charges 
an  intruder  with  outstretched  wings. 

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  parks  in  this  country,  where 
they  frequently  breed.  The  feathers  are  of  little  commercial  value, 


MOAS.  11 

Order  III.  DINORNITHIFORMES. 

Family  DINORNITHID^.     MOAS. 

[Case  3.] 

New  Zealand  was  formerly  inhabited  by  a  gigantic  race  of  birds 
called  Moas,  some  species  of  which  considerably  exceeded  in  size  the 
modern  Ostriches.  The  situation  and  state  of  preservation  of  the 
abundant  remains  which  have  been  found  indicate  that  they  existed  till 
comparatively  recent  times,  and  were  probably  exterminated  by  the 
present  Maori  inhabitants  of  the  islands.  Feathers  which  have  been 
found  associated  with  the  bones  show  the  presence  of  a  large  after- 
shaft,  as  in  the  Emus  and  Cassowaries ;  but  some  of  the  species 
resemble  the  Kiwis  (Apteryx]  in  possessing  a  hind  toe.  Wings  were 
absent,  and  the  shoulder-girdle  was  only  represented  by  a  vestige. 

The  Moas  are  represented  by  several  genera,  the  largest  member 
being  Dinornis  maximus  (7),  a  gigantic  bird,  of  which  a  skeleton  is 
exhibited.  Some  of  the  species  seem  to  have  survived  until  about  four 
or  five  hundred  years  ago,  or  even  later  in  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  have  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  ninth  edition  of  the  "  Guide  to  the  Fossil  Mammals  and  Birds," 
p.  92(1909). 

Order  IV.  ^PYORNITHIFORMES. 
Family  ^EPYORNITHID^:.     MADAGASCAR  MOAS. 

Fossil  remains  from  superficial  deposits  in  Madagascar  show  the 
existence,  in  a  very  recent  geological  period,  of  several  species  of  Ratite 
birds,  which  bear  much  resemblance  to  the  Dinornithida.  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.M-oas.  The  largest  species,  ^Epyornis 
titan  (8),  of  which  a  cast  of  the  leg  is  exhibited,  stood  about  10  feet 
high,  and  its  eggs  exceed  all  others  in  size,  some  of  the  shells  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  circumference  2  ft.  9  ins.,  girth  2  ft.  5  ins.  These 
birds  are  believed  by  many  to  be  identical  with  the  famous  "Hoc" 
mentioned  by  the  traveller  Marco  Polo,  and  it  is  supposed  that  some  of 
the  species  were  in  existence  not  more  than  two  hundred  years  ago. 
[<7/.  Fossil  Guide,  p.  92  (1909).] 


12  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Order  V.  CASUARIIFORMES.     EMUS  AND  CASSOWARIES. 
la  the  two  families   (Dromceidee.   and    Casuariida]    comprising  this 
order  the  wings  are  still  more  reduced  in  size  and  the  "  fingers  "   are 
represented   by  one  claw-bearing   digit.      The  body-feathers  have  an 
aftershaft  or  accessory  plume  as  long  as  the  main  feather. 


Family  I.  DROM^EID^:.     EMUS. 

FCase  4.1  ^ne  Emus  agree  with  the  Cassowaries  in  possessing  a  large  after- 
shaft  to  the  body-  feathers,  but  the  bill  is  broad  and  flat,  the  head  and 
upper  part  of  the  neck  have  a  scanty  hair-like  covering,  and  horny 
casque,  helmet  and  ornamental  wattles  are  wanting.  The  wings  are 
exceedingly  small  and,  like  the  tail,  entirely  concealed  beneath  the 
general  covering  of  feathers.  The  three  toes  have  claws  of  similar 
form  and  nearly  equal  size. 

The  only  species  surviving  at  the  present  time  is  the  common  Emu 
(Dromteus  novee-hollandia)  (9),  which  inhabits  Australia.  A  small 
Black  Emu  (D.  parvulus)  was  formerly  found  on  the  Island  of  Decres 
or  Kangaroo,  but  is  now  extinct  and  known  only  from  two  specimens 
preserved  in  the  Paris  Museum  and  from  a  skeleton  in  the  Museum  at 
Florence.  It  is  possible  that  a  third  species  existed  within  recent  times, 
for  the  Tasmanian  form  was  apparently  distinct  from  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,  and,  like  their  allies,  run  with  great  rapidity.  Unlike  the 
Kheas  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  performs  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,  and  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,  and  can  be 
inflated  at  the  will  of  the  bird.  The  inflation  is  probably  connected 
with  the  low,  resonant,  booming  note  uttered  during  the  nesting-season. 
Owing  to  the  constant  persecution  to  which  they  are  subjected,  Emus 
are  becoming  scarcer  year  by  year.  Being  hardy  birds  they  are  easily 
domesticated  and  breed  readily  in  parks  both  in  this  country  and  in 
Europe. 

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


CASSOWARIES.  13 

Family  II.  CASUARIIDJE.     CASSOWARIES. 

The  Cassowaries  (10-20)  resemble  the  Emus  (Dromaidee)  andtheMoas  [Cases  5, 
(Dinornithida) ,  inasmuch  as  the  feathers  clothing  the  general  surface  of 
the  body  appear  to  be  double,  the  aftershaft  or  accessory  plume  being  as 
long  as  the  main  feather.  They  differ,  however,  in  the  peculiar  structure 
of  the  wing,  which  is  extremely  small  and  has  the  quill-feathers  reduced 
in  number  to  five  or  six.  These  consist  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  long 
sharp,  powerful  claw. 

About  fourteen  species  are  known,  and  with  the  exception  of  the 
Australian  Cassowary  (Casuarius  australis)  (10),  which  is  found  in  the 
Cape  York  Peninsula  and  extends  as  far  south  as  Rockingham  Bay,  all  are 
natives  of  the  Papuan  group  of  islands  extending  eastward  to  New  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  rusty 
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  are  also  strong  swimmers, 
and  able  to  cross  wide  rivers  with  ease.  Their  cry  is  a  loud,  harsh, 
quickly  repeated  guttural  sound  audible  at  a  great  distance.  Their  skin 
is  manufactured  into  mats  and  head-ornaments  by  the  natives. 

Order  VI.  APTERYGIFORMES. 

Family  APTERYGID^:.     KIWIS.    (Plate  I.) 

The  Kiwis  are  the  smallest  of  the  flightless  Ratitcp,  and  differ  from  all  [Case  5.] 
existing  forms  of  Struthious  birds  in  possessing  a  small  hind  toe  or  hallux 
and  in  the  length  of  the  bill,  the  nostrils  of  which  are  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. 


14  BIRD  GALLERY. 

[Case  15.1  The  legs  and  feet  are  very  stout  and  the  claws  long,  curved,  and  sharp- 
pointed. 

The  four  or  five  known  species  are  all  natives  of  New  Zealand.  They 
are  nocturnal  birds  and  sleep  during  the  day  in  some  secluded  retreat  in 
burrows  in  the  ground  or  under  tree-roots;  in  the  dusk  they  are  lively 
enough,  creeping  quietly  about  in  search  of  worms,  insects,  and  berries, 
for  which  they  hunt  with  a  continual  sniffing  sound,  much  like  that 
made  by  a  hedgehog.  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  and  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  derived,  is  chiefly 
uttered  on  bright  nights.  The  Maories  greatly  esteem  the  flesh  of  these 
birds,  and  the  systematic  way  in  which  they  are  hunted  must  sooner  or 
later  end  in  their  extermination. 

Mantell's  Kiwi  (A.  mantelli)  (21),  inhabiting  the  North  Island. 
Shaw's  Kiwi  (A.  australis)  (22)  [PI.  I.],  a  smaller  form  from  the  South 
Island,  and  A.  lawryi,  of  Stewart  Island,  are  streaked  species ;  while 
Owen's  Kiwi  (A.  owtni)  (23)  and  Haast's  Kiwi  (A.  haasti}  (24), 
occurring  both  in  the  North  and  South  Islands,  belong  to  a  dif- 
ferently marked  group,  with  the  feathers  transversely  marked  with 
blackish  bars. 

Order  VII.  TIN  AMI  FORMES. 
Family  TINAMID^E.     TINAMOTJS. 

[Central        The  Tinamous  are  sometimes  placed  at  the  end  of  the  subclass  of 
table-      Cariuate  Birds,  the  sternum  being  provided  with  a  keel,  while  all  the 

CMS" 

members  are  capable  of  flight ;  but  they  agree  so  well  in  their  other 
osteological  characters  with  the  Struthious  group  that  they  are  here 
included  in  the  same  subclass. 

The  Tinamous  are  Partridge-like  birds  inhabiting  Mexico  and  Central 
and  South  America,  and  vary  in  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 


TINAMOUS.  15 

toes,  the  hind  toe  or  hallux  being  generallv  developed.  Powder-down 
patches  are  present  near  the  rump  in  certain  forms.  The  eggs  are 
specially  remarkable,  being  highly  glossed  or  burnished,  and  unlike 
those  of  any  other  bird. 

Between  sixty  and  seventy  species  are  enumerated  in  the  most  recent 
treatise  on  the  group.  All  are  essentially  ground-birds,  and  rarely 
perch,  but  haunt  the  undergrowth  of  thick  forests,  grassy  flats  inter- 
spersed with  bushes,  or  open  pampas.  They  are  great  runners,  and 
generally  difficult  to  flush;  but  once  on  the  wing,  their  flight  is  strong 
and  swift.  The  cry  is  a  mellow  whistle  composed  of  several  notes,  and 
varies  somewhat  in  the  different  species.  The  nest,  a  hole  scraped  in 
the  ground  under  the  shelter  of  some  bush  or  tuft  of  grass,  is  lined 
with  dry  herbage  and  leaves,  and,  as  in  the  Struthious  birds,  the  male 
undertakes  the  duties  of  incubation.  The  number  of  eggs  is  said 
to  vary  from  four  to  sixteen,  the  latter  number  being  probably  the 
produce  of  more  than  one  female.  The  eggs  vary  in  colour  in  the 
different  genera,  some  being  vinous,  reddish-chocolate,  or  dull  purple, 
others  dark  blue,  bluish-green,  sage-green,  or  primrose-colour,  and  the 
shell  in  all  7'esembles  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  Tinamus  solitarlus  (25),  a  native 
of  Paraguay  and  Southern  Brazil ;  but  the  most  familiar  is  the  Rufesceut 
Tinamou  (Rhynchotus  rufescens)  (27),  found  in  the  open  pampas  from 
Brazil  southwards,  and  known  as  the  "Perdiz  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  on  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  (Tinaminae} 
examples  will  be  found  in  Nothoprocta  perdicaria  (28)  and  several 
species  of  Crypturus  (29-32).  Two  genera  have  no  hind  toe  and  form 
the  section  Tinamotidince;  examples  of  these  will  be  found  in  Tinamotis 
pentlandi  (33)  and  Calopezus  eleyans  (34),  the  latter  remarkable  for  its 
long  crest  of  black  feathers. 


16  BIRD    GALLERY. 


Section  B.  C  A  R I N  A  T  35.     CAEINATE  BIRDS. 

All  existing  birds  which  do  not  belong  to  the  Ratitte  are  included  in 
one  great  division — the  Carinata — characterised  by  the  fact  that  the 
pterygoid  bone  articulates  with  the  palatine  by  means  of  a  joint.  The 
voraer  is  much  reduced  or  absent. 

In  some  few  birds  belonging  to  several  different  subdivisions  of  this 
great  group  the  keel  of  the  breast-bone  is  extremely  reduced  in  size, 
and  the  power  of  flight  is  almost  or  entirely  lost,  as  is  the  case  in  the 
flightless  Ratitse. 

The  division  of  the  Carinatce  into  orders  and  families,  and  the  mutual 
relations  of  these  groups  to  one  another,  are  subjects  of  great  difficulty 
upon  which  zoologists  are  by  no  means  as  yet  agreed.  The  classification 
adopted  in  this  gallery,  which  represents  the  general  result  of  much 
recent  work,  must  therefore  be  looked  upon  as  provisional. 

Thirty- one  Orders  are  recognised  in  this  scheme. 


Order  I.  GALLIFORMES.     GAME-BIRDS. 

This  order  is  composed  of  the  great  bulk  of  the  species  commonly 
known  as  "  Game  "-Birds.  Nearly  400  different  kinds  are  known, 
forming  a  well-defined  group. 

The  bill  is  short  and  stout,  the  upper  mandible  being  arched  and 
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  running,  and  the  latter  are  provided 
with  stout  curved  claws,  suitable  for  scratching  and  digging  up  roots, 
insects,  and  other  food.  The  hind  toe  is  always  present,  but  varies  in 
size  and  position. 

The  feathers  covering  the  body  are  provided  with  a  well-developed 
aftershaft. 

The  young  when  hatched  are  covered  with  soft,  beautifully  patterned 
down  (except  in  the  Megapodes,  vide  infra),  and  are  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  are  easily  removed,  none  of  the 
pale  underlying  spots  characteristic  of  the  Sand-Grouse,  Hemipodes, 
and  Wading-birds  being  found. 

Two  Suborders  are  recognised. 


GAME-BIRDS.  17 

Suborder  I.  PERISTEROPODES. 

The  first  suborder  of  the  Game-Birds  includes  two  families,  which  are 
easily  distinguished  by  the  following  characteristics : — The  hind  toe 
(hallux)  is  on  the  same  level  as  the  other  toes,  and  the  inner  notch  of  the 
breast-bone  (sternum)  is  less  than  half  the  length  of  the  entire  breast- 
bone. The  first  family  includes  the  Megapodes  and  Brush-Turkeys 
(Megapodiidce)  ;  the  second  the  Curassows,  Penelopes,  and  Guans 
(Cracidce). 

Family  I.  MEGAPODIID^E.     MEGAPODES. 

The  Megapodes  or  Mound-builders  are  remarkable  not  only  in  having  [Case  7.1 
the  oil-gland  at  the  base  of  the  tail  nude,  but  for  their  peculiar  nesting- 
habits,  which  possess  the  highest  interest.  The  eggs,  which  are  very 
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 
species  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  cumingi  (37)  and  M.  freycineti  (38).  Like  most 
of  the  other  members  of  this  family,  they  form  a  nesting-mound  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.  By  the  efforts  of  successive  generations  this  sometimes 
attains  incredible  dimensions,  one  instance  being  on  record  where  the 
circumference  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.  cumingi  (37)  taken  from  the 
mound,  the  young  bird  when  hatched  is  well-feathered  and  able  to  fly. 
The  egg  is  remarkably  large  in  proportion  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 
ocellata  (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  maleo)  (39),  a  native  of  Celebes,  with  its 
delicate  pink  breast  and  an  ornamental  bare  knob  on  the  head. 


c 


18  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Unlike  the  other  members,  this  bird  makes  no  mound,  but  lays  its  eggs, 
which  are  deposited  at  intervals  of  ten  or  twelve  days,  in  holes  in  the 
sand  on  the  sea-beach  just  above  high- water  mark.  The  birds  visit 
the  shore  in  pairs.  Several  females  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  same 
hole,  and  having  covered  them  with  sand  return  to  the  forest  and  take 
no  further  notice  of  them. 

Family  II.  CRACID.E.     CURASSOWS  AND  GUANS. 

[Cases  The  Curassows  and  Guans  are  distinguished  from  the  Megapodes 
'» &]  by  having  a  tufted  oil-gland,  and  differ  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  are  incubated 
in  the  usual  manner.  The  young  when  hatched  are  covered  with  down. 

Nearly  sixty  species  are  known,  all  inhabitants  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  (1.  Cracinae}.  B.  With  the  mandible 
broader  than  high  and  with  the  top  of  the  head  mostly  naked,  and 
having  an  elevated  cylindrical,  occipital  helmet  (2.  Oreophasince) ,  or, 
with  the  top  of  the  head  feathered  and  without  a  helmet  (3.  Pene- 
lopince). 

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

One  of  the  most  remarkable  is  Lord  Derby's  Mountain-Pheasant 
(Oreophasis  derbianus)  (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  Curassows  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  scratching  among  the  leaves. 

The  Guans  and  Penelopes  form  the  last  subfamily,  which  includes 
six  genera  and  contains  the  majority  of  the  species.  Of  the  Penelopes 
(Penelope)  (47-51),  five  species  are  exhibited,  and  may  be  recognised  by 
their  naked  chin  and  throat  with  a  median  wattle.  The  Black  Penelope 
(Penelupina  nigra)  (52),  from  the  highlands  of  Guatemala,  is  the  sole 
representative  of  the  second  genus,  in  which  the  sexes  differ  in  plumage, 


GAME-BIRDS.  19 

the  female  being  barred  with  rufous.  The  Guans  (Ortalis)  (63-55),  of 
which  three  species  are  shown,  are  very  similar  birds  to  the  two  former, 
but  there  is  a  thin  band  of  feathers  down  the  middle  of  the  naked 
throat,  and  no  wattle.  The  remaining  three  genera,  Pipile  (56), 
Aburria  (57),  and  Chamtepetes  (58,  59),  are  remarkable  in  having  the 
inner  web  of  the  first  two  or  three  flight-feathers  deeply  excised. 

Suborder  II.  ALECTOROPODES.     TRUE  GAME-BIRDS. 

* 

This  group  includes  the  Pheasants,  Partridges,  and  Grouse,  which 
normally  nest  on  the  ground.  They  are  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  (sternum)  more  than  half 
the  length  of  the  entire  sternum. 

Family  I.  PHASIANID^E.     PHEASANTS,  PARTRIDGES,  AND  QUAILS. 

The  large  number  of  Game-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  (Lerwd)  (164)  or  wholly  naked  and 
often  armed  with  one  or  more  pairs  of  spurs.  The  toes  are  always 
devoid  of  feathers  and  never  pectinate  along  the  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- 
phorinae,  Phasianince,  and  Perdicinae,  the  first  containing  the  American 
Partridges  and  Quails,  the  second  the  Pheasants  and  Peacocks  with 
their  allies  the  Turkeys  and  Guinea-Fowls,  and  the  third  the  Old- 
World  Partridge-like  forms. 

Subfamily  I.   Odontophorince.     American  Partridges  and  Quails. 

The    American    Partridges    (Odontophorince)    are    distinguished   by  [Case  9.] 
having  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  squamata)  (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  plumage  a  scaled 
appearance. 

Of  the  Crested  Quails  (Eupsychortyx)  eight  small  species  are  known 
to  inhabit  Central  America  and  the  north-west  of  South  America.  An 
example  of  this  group  may  be  seen  in  the  White-faced  Crested-Quail 
(E.  leucopogori)  (82). 


20  BIKD  GALLERY. 

fCa  9 1  Closely  allied  to  the  Crested  Quails  are  the  Colins  or  Bob-whites 
'  (Ortyx),  of  which  ten  different  kinds  are  found  in  the  United  States  of 
N.  America  and  Mexico,  distinguished  from  the  last  genus  by  the 
absence  of  a  crest.  Of  these  the  best  known  is  the  Virginian  Colin  or 
Bob-white  (O.  virginianus)  (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  (Oreortyx  pictus)  (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 
feathers. 

The  next  genus  includes  three  species,  of  which  the  beautiful  Cali- 
fornian  Quail  (Lophortyx  calif ornicus)  (66)  is  a  familiar  example 
frequently  to  be  seen  in  aviaries.  It  inhabits  the  brush- covered  hills 
and  canons  of  the  Western  States  of  North  America,  ascending  in 
Lower  California  to  an  elevation  of  about  9000  feet. 

The  Harlequin- Quails  (Cyrtonyx),  often  known  as  "  Fool-Quails >}  on 
account  of  their  extreme  tameness,  are  found  in  Central  America, 
Mexico,  and  the  States  immediately  to  the  north.  Of  the  three  species 
known  the  Massena  Quail  (C.  montezuma;}  (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  (Odunto- 
phorus]  (67-69),  of  -which  more  than  a  dozen  species  are  known 
from  the  forests  of  Central  and  South  America.  They  seldom  fly 
if  they  can  avoid  doing  so,  and  when  flushed  betake  themselves  to  the 
branches  of  trees. 

Another  forest  bird  is  the  Long-nailed  Partridge  (Dactylortyx 
thoracicus)  (78),  a  Central  American  form,  remarkable,  like  the 
Harlequin-Quails,  for  its  very  long  and  nearly  straight  claws. 

Four  rather  large  species  of  Long-tailed  American  Partridge  (Den- 
drortyx)  (71,  72)  are  known  from  the  mountain-forests  of  South  Mexico 
and  Central  America.  Two  of  these  are  exhibited,  and  are  easily 
recognised  by  their  short  stout  bill  and  comparatively  long  tail. 

4 

Between  the  second  and  third  subfamilies  of  the  Phasianida  there 
appears  to  be  no  real  line  of  demarcation,  the  Pheasants  and  Peacocks 
(Phasianina)  and  the  Old- World  Partridges  (Perdicinte)  being  in- 
timately connected  with  one  another  by  such  forms  as  the  Bamboo- 


GAME-BIRDS.  21 

Partridges  (Bambusicola),  the  Stone- Pheasants  (Ptilopachys),  and  the 
Indian  Spur-Fowl  ( Galloperdix) .  The  shape  of  the  wing  is  perhaps 
the  most  important  distinguishing  mark,  and  when  taken  in  connection 
with  the  length  of  the  tail  is  a  useful,  if  somewhat  artificial,  character. 
In  all  the  Phasianince,  with  the  exception  of  the  two  genera  Phasianus 
and  Calophasis,  the  first  flight-feather  is  much  shorter  than  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  be  separated. 

Subfamily  II.  Phasianinee.     Pheasant-like  Game-Birds. 

The  Pheasants  and  their  allies  the  Turkeys  and  Guinea-Fowl  may  be 
recognised  by  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  usually  shorter,  generally  much  shorter  than  the 
tenth,  rarely  equal  to  it,  except  in  the  true  Pheasants  (Phasianus)  and 
the  Barred-backed  Pheasants  (Calophasis),  but  as  these  possess  very 
long  tails,  they  are  at  once  seen  to  belong  to  the  Phasianinee. 

The  most  perfect  type  of  Pheasant-wing  is  found  in  the  Argus 
Pheasants  (Argusianus) ,  where  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.  [Casea 

The  Turkeys  (Meleayris)  from  North  and  Central  America  are  9  &  1°0 
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  fore- 
head. Of  the  four  North  American  forms  a  representative  will  be 
found  in  the  American  Turkey  (M.  americand)  (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  once  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  arid  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  ocellated  tail  combining  to  make  up  a 


22  BIRD  GALLERY. 

magnificent  whole.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  male  of  this  species  is 
without  the  tassel-like  bunch  of  bristles  on  the  breast  characteristic 
of  the  males  of  the  other  species. 

[Case  10.]  The  Guinea- Fowl,  including  five  genera, -are  the  representatives  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  Guinea-Fowl 
(Agelastes  meleagrides]  (75),  which  ranges  from  Liberia  to  Gaboon. 

The  Helmeted  Guinea-Fowls  (Numidd)  (77)  include  eight  species, 
one  of  which  (N.  meleagris)  (76)  is  the  wild  ancestor  of  our  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  flocks  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  (Guttera),  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-crested  Guinea- 
Fowl  (G.  cristata)  (78)  from  East  Africa. 

Of  the  fifth  genus  the  Vulturine  Guinea-Fowl  (Acryllium  vul- 
turinum)  (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  blunt  knobs,  which  in  some 
examples  number  as  many  as  five. 

Case!  ^e  Peaf°wl  (Pavo]  are  the  largest  and  most  magnificently  coloured 
birds  of  the  group.  Only  two  species  are  known,  the  common 
Peafowl  (P.  cristatus)  (81),  found  throughout  India,  Assam,  and 
Ceylon;  and  the  Burmese  Peafowl  (P.  muticus)  (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  are  enormously  developed  in  the  male,  and  form  the  "  train." 
The  common  Peafowl  frequents  broken  and  jungly  ground,  where 
good  cover  and  water  are  to  be  found,  and  is  seldom  met  with  at 
elevations  exceeding  2000  to  3000  feet.  It  prefers  the  neighbourhood 
of  cultivated  fields,  and,  where  numerous,  does  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. 
Case  10.]  Intermediate  between  the  Pheasants  and  Peafowl  is  a  beautiful 
group  known  as  the  Peacock-Pheasants  (Polyplectron).  The  dense 


G  AM  K- tilllbS.  ^° 

jungles  and  lower  hill-forests  of  the  Indo-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  spurs,  the 
number  being  rarely  the  same  on  the  two  legs.  The  Grey  Peacock- 
Pheasant  (P.  chinquis)  (85)  ranges  from  Sikhim  to  Tenasseritn  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 
young  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 
Bornean  Peacock-Pheasant  (P.  schleiermacheri]  (86),  which  is  peculiar 
to  that  island. 

The  Argus  Pheasants  are  represented  by  two  distinct  types,  both  of  [Central 
which  are  exhibited  in  the  Central  Case.  The  true  Argus  Pheasants 
(Argusianus] ,  as  already  stated,  are  remarkable  for  the  shape  of  the 
\vings,  in  which  the  most  perfect  Pheasant-type  is  found,  the  first  flight- 
feather  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 
(A.  argus)  (87)  ranges  from  the  Laos  country  and  Siam  through  the 
Malay  Peninsula  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  by  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  subsequently  kept  scrupulously  clean,  and  used 
as  a  dancing-ground.  The  male  spends  the  greater  part  of  the  day 
there,  arid  roosts  at  night  on  some  tree  close  by.  In  Borneo  a  different 
and  somewhat  smaller  species  {A.  grayi]  occurs. 

Of  the  second  genus  (Rheinhardtius]  a  representative  will  be  found  in 
Rheinhardt's  Crested  Argus  (R.  ocellatus)  (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  bird  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  very  distinct  species  are  r-Qftse  jo 
known  to  inhabit  the  dense  jungles  of   the  Indian   Peninsula,   Indo- 
Malayan  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  are  replaced  by  short  feathers  like  those  of  the 


24  BIRD  GALLERY. 

[Case  10.]  female.  A  second  moult  takes  place  in  September,  when  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 
temporary  plumage  is  doubtless  protective,  and  parallel  cases  may  be 
seen  in  the  Black  Grouse  and  in  many  of  the  Ducks. 

It  is  from  the  Red  Jungle-Fowl  (G.  gallus]  (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 
Museum.  One  of  the  most  singular  comes  from  Japan,  and  has  extra- 
ordinarily elongate  tail-coverts,  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.  lafayetti)  (90j 
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  representatives  of  the  genus  Chrysolophus,  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  underparts  and  quieter  colouring 
of  the  Lady  Amherst  are,  perhaps,  more  attractive  than  the  more  gaudy 
plumage  of  the  Golden  Pheasant. 

11  i^i  ^ne  *rue  l>neasants  (Phasianus  and  Calophasis)  are,  for  many  reasons, 
the  most  important  as  well  as  the  most  beautiful  of  all  the  Game-Birds. 
As  already  remarked,  they  are  peculiar  among  the  Phasianinae  in  having 
the  first  flight-feather  considerably  longer  than  the  tenth.  The  most 
familiar  examples  of  the  former  genus  are  the  Common  Pheasant 
(Phasianus  colchicus)  (95)  and  the  Chinese  Ring-necked  Pheasant 
(P.  torquatus)  (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  Phasianus  are  found  in  Asia,  and 
of  these  the  majority  resemble  the  Common  Pheasant  type  in  the 
general  colour  of  their  plumage,  and  a  number  are  shewn  in  the  Case. 

The  Japanese  Pheasant  (P.  versicolor]  (97)  and  Scemmerring's 
Pheasant  (P.  scemmerringi)  (102),  found  in  the  same  islands,  are 
somewhat  different  types,  while  Reeves'  Pheasant  (P.  reevesi)  (1 04),  from 


GAME-BlRDS. 

Northern  and  Western  China,  is  the  giant  of  the  genus,  and  remarkable  [Ci 
for  its  enormously  long  tail,  which  in  old  males  attains  a  length  of  5  feet 
or  even  more.  This  grand  game-bird  has  been  introduced  into  various 
parts  of  Great  Britain,  but  cannot  be  considered  a  success,  for  the  males 
drive  off  the  Common  and  Ring-necked  Pheasant  and  do  not  interbreed 
freely  with  the  females  of  either  species. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Pheasants  found  in  the  semi-domesticated 
state  in  this  country  are  polygamous — that  is  to  say,  one  male  pairs 
with  many  females  ;  but  there  is  good  reason  for  believing  that  this 
habit  has  been  acquired.  All  the  evidence  tends  to  show  that  in  a 
really  wild  state  the  various  species  of  Phasianus  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,  which  may  account 
for  the  polygamous  habits  of  introduced  birds. 

The  Barred-backed  Pheasants  (Calophasis),  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  (Catreus  wallichi)  (106),  of  which  only  one 
species  is  known,  is  a  crested  form  peculiar  to  the  Himalaya  and 
extending  from  Chamba  to  Central  Nepal. 

The  Kalij  Pheasants  (Germans),  of  which  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,  Burma,  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  Burma  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  Pheasant  from  South  China  are  connected  by  the  complete 
chain  of  closely  allied  geographical  forms. 

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


26  BIRD  GALLERY. 

[Case  18.]  The  Koklass  Pheasants  (Pucrasia)  include  half-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  feathers  behind  the  ears 
are  greatly  developed,  forming  two  long  tufts  surpassing  the  crest  in 
length.  The  Common  Koklass  Pheasant  (P.  macrolopha)  (113)  is 
common  in  the  Western  Himalaya  from  Kumaon  to  Chamba,  and 
generally  found  singly  or  in  pairs.  Its  flesh  is  said  to  be  superior 
to  that  of  every  other  Hill-Pheasant. 

The  Fire-backed  Pheasants,  represented  by  two  small  groups  each 
containing  three  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  (Acomus  pyronotus)  (114).  The  females  in  this  genus 
are  remarkable  for  their  entirely  black  plumage  and  from  the  fact 
that  their  legs  are  armed  with  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  (Lophura  rufa)  (115)  and  Diard's  Fire-back 
(L.  diardi)  (116),  both  remarkably  handsome  species.  The  males  are 
provided  with  a  pair  of  strong  spurs,  but  the  females  are  devoid  of 
these  weapons. 

The  great  Eared  Pheasants  (Crossoptilon)  (117,  118)  are  inhabitants 
of  the  high  wooded  mountains  of  Tibet  and  China,  ascending  to  a 
height  of  about  12,000  feet  above  sea-level.  They  are  sociable  in  their 
habits,  and  during  the  autumn  and  winter  are  generally  met  with  in 
large  flocks.  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 
plumage  is  alike  in  both  sexes.  The  feathers  forming  the  ear-coverts 
are  much  lengthened  and  pure  white  in  all  the  five  species  known. 

A  remarkable  Bornean  species  will  be  seen  in  Bulwer's  Wattled 
Pheasant  (Lobiophasis  bulweri)  (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  less  than  32  feathers,  by 
far  the  largest  number  found  in  any  Game-Bird.  -  The  female  has 
28  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]  ^  the  Moonal  Pheasants  (Lophophorus)  four  different  species  are 
known,  all  being  natives  of  the  elevated  forests  of  the  Himalaya  or 
Western  China.  In  all  the  plumage  of  the  males  is  magnificent,  but 


GAME-BIRDS.  27 

that  of  the  Common  Moonal  (L.  refulgens)  (120)  is'  perhaps  the  hand- 
somest. This  species  is  found  throughout  the  higher  wooded  ranges  of 
the  Himalaya,  whence  enormous  numbers  of  skins  were  yearly  imported 
to  this  country  for  the  adornment  of  ladies'  hats. 

The  splendid  Horned  Pheasants  (Tragopari),  commonly  though 
incorrectly  called  "  Argus  "  Pheasants  by  Indian  sportsmen,  are  repre- 
sented by  five  different  species,  which  inhabit  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  Western  Horned  Pheasants  (T.  satyra  (121)  and 
T.  melanocephalus  (123)),  are  two  of  the  handsomest  species  met  with 
in  the  Himalaya.  Though  both  inhabit  the  thick  cover  of  the  higher 
hills  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  (Ithagenes]  are  very  handsome  Alpine  birds 
met  with  in  the  higher  regions  of  the  Himalaya,  Tibet,  and  Western 
China.  The  males  are  remarkable  for  the  pale  green  colour  of  parts 
of  their  plumage,  and  for  the  number  of  spurs  on  their  legs,  some 
individuals  having  as  many  as  four  pairs.  The  species  exhibited 
(/.  cruentus)  (124)  is  met  with  in  flocks  in  the  higher  forests  of  the 
Eastern  Himalaya,  at  elevations  varying  from  10,000  to  14,000  feet, 
and  always  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the  snow. 

Among  the  Partridge-like  birds  with  the  Pheasant-type  of  wing  are 
the  Stone-Pheasants  (Ptilopachys)  (125),  represented  by  two  African 
species  found  in  rocky  ground  in  the  neighbourhood  of  cliffs  and 
precipices ;  the  Bamboo-Pheasants  (Bambusicola),  with  three  species, 
found  respectively  in  North-east  India,  Southern  China,  and  Formosa; 
and  the  Spur- Fowl  (Galloperdix),  with  two  Indian  and  one  Ceylonese 
species. 

The  Chinese  Bamboo-Pheasant  (Bambusicola  thoracicd)  (126)  is  a 
very  handsome  bird,  resembling  the  Common  Partridge  in  the  general 
colour  of  its  plumage,  which  is  alike  in  both  sexes.  It  inhabits  the 
jungle-clad  hills,  roosting  and  often  perching  on  the  branches  of 
bamboos  and  other  trees,  where  it  is  perfectly  at  home. 

Of  the  Indian  Galloperdix  an  example  will  be  found  in  the  Painted 
Spur-Fowl  (G.  lunulatd)  (127).  As  may  be  seen,  the  male  and  female 
differ  in  plumage,  and  the  legs  of  the  former  are  armed  with  two  and 
sometimes  three  pairs  of  spurs,  while  those  of  the  latter  have  usually 
only  one  pair.  Like  the  Bamboo-Pheasants,  they  are  birds  of  the 
forest  and  jungle. 


28  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Subfamily  III.  Perdicina.     Partridge-like  Game-Birds. 

As  already  mentioned,  this  subfamily  includes  the  Old- World 
Partridges  and  Quails,  which  may  be  distinguished  by  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 
longer  than  or  rarely  equal  to  the  tenth.  In  one  or  two  of  the  species 
of  Francolin  it  is  slightly  shorter,  but  these  may  at  once  be  recognised 
as  belonging  to  the  Perdicince  by  their  short  tails. 

The  most  perfect  type  of  Partridge- wing  is  found  in  such  forms  as 
the  Snow-Partridge  (Lerwa)  and  the  Quails  (Coturnix,  Synmcus,  and 
Excalfactorid) ,  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. 
[Case  15.]  Four  different  species  of  Partridge  (Perdix]  (129-132)  are  known. 

As  considerable  interest  attaches  to  the  sexual  differences  in  plumage 
of  the  Common  Partridge  (P.perdix)  (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  wing-coverts  of  the  male  are  without  the  buff 
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  flight-feather  pointed  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 
Brisson  in  1760,  under  the  name  Perdix  montana  (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  most  counties  of  England,  notably  in  Northumberland,  where  the 
rufous  birds  were  supposed  by  some  to  be  hybrids  between  the  Red 
Grouse  and  Common  Partridge. 

[Case  15.]  The  Jungle  Bush- Quails  (Perdicula)  (133)  and  Painted  Bush-Quails 
(Microperdix]  (134)  together  include  only  five  small  species  peculiar  to 
India.  They  differ  from  the  true  Quails  in  the  shape  of  the  wing,  the 
first  flight-feather  being  comparatively  short. 


GAME-BIRDS.  29 

In  the  Quails  (Coturnix)  (135-1 37),  of  which  seven  different  kinds  are  [Case  15.] 
known,  we  find  the  most  highly-developed  type  of  Partridge-wing,  the 
first  flight-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,  but  the 
Common  Quail  (C.  coturnix)  (135)  is  by  far  the  greatest  wanderer  of 
all.  Though  small  numbers  of  this  bird  are  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.  coromandelicd]  (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.  novte  zealandiee) ,  though  a  common  bird  in  the  early 
days  of  the  Colony,  is  now  doubtless  quite  extinct.  A  skin  of  this  bird, 
and  that  a  female,  recently  sold  for  £75. 

The  Swamp-Quails  (Syncecus)  (138,  139)  are  very  closely  allied  to  the  m&se  16.1 
Common   Quail  and    its  allies.      Van  Raalten's    Swamp-Quail    (139) 
inhabits  the  islands  of  Timor  and  Flores,  and  is  the  handsomest  of 
the  three  species  known. 

The  smallest  of  all  the  Game-Birds  are  the  Painted  Quails  (Excal- 
factoria)  (140,  141).  Only  four  tiny  forms  are  known,  the  males 
having  the  plumage  very  beautifully  coloured.  As  in  the  other  Quails, 
the  first  and  second  quill-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-lands  and  meadows.  Of  recent  years  it  has  frequently  been  kept 
in  confinement  in  this  country  and  breeds  freely :  the  young,  when  about  • 
a  week  old  and  scarcely  larger  than  walnuts,  are  able  to  fly,  and 
when  about  six  weeks  old  they  are  scarcely  distinguishable  in  plumage 
from  their  parents. 

In  the  Crested  Wood-Partridge  (Eollulus)  (142),  of  which  only  one  [Case  15.1 
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  in  the 
Blood- Pheasants  (Ithagenes). 

The  Tree-Partridges  (Arboricola)  (143,  144),  of  which  fifteen  species  [Case  15.] 
are  known,  inhabit  the  Indo-Chinese  and  Indo-Malayan  countries  and 
some  of  the  adjacent  islands.     All  the  birds  of  this  genus  are  peculiar 


30  BIRD  GALLERY. 

in  possessing  a  series  of  small  bones  above  the  eye,  known  as  the 
supra-orbital  chain  (see  skull).  The  toes  are  provided  with  peculiar 
long,  nearly  straight  nails.  With  the  exception  of  the  Common  Tree- 
Partridge  (A.  torqueola)  (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  occssionally  ranging 
in  the  Outer  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  glossy  shell. 

[Case  15.]  The  Crimson-headed  Wood-Partridge  (Hwmatortyx)  (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- 
perdix]  (146)  and  the  Black  Wood-Partridge  (Melanoperdix]  (147),  a 
peculiar  type  worthy  of  special  notice  on  account  of  its  unusually  stout 
and  thick  bill. 

[Case  16.1  The  Red-legged  Partridges  (Caccabis)  (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  differ  from  one  another  in  plumage,  but  the  former 
may  be  recognised  by  the  stout  blunt  spurs  on  the  legs.  Of  the  six 
forms  known,  four  are  exhibited,  including  the  black-headed  Arabian 
species,  the  largest  member  of  the  genus  (151),  the  Common  B/ed-legged 
(149)  and  Barbary  Partridges  (150),  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  of  a  bird  which  occurs  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  *ne  closely  allied  Seesee  Partridges  (Ammoperdix^)  (152),  the  sexes 
differ  from  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  Francolins  (Francolinus)  (153-162)  are  a  very  numerous  group 
including  nearly  fifty  different  species,  five  of  which  are  Asiatic  and  the 
remainder  African.  With  the  exception  of  the  Painted  Francolin 
(F.pictus)  (164),  the  legs  of  the  males  and,  in  some  species  of  the  females 


GAME-BIRDS.  31 

also,  are  armed  with  one  or  more  pairs  of  spurs.  Of  the  species  here 
exhibited  the  Common  Francolin  (153), formerly  met  with  in  Southern 
Europe,  but  now  extinct  there,  is  the  most  familiar,  and  known  to  Indian 
sportsmen  as  the  Kola  titur  or  Black  Partridge.  Another  species,  only 
found  in  the  Terai  of  North  India,  is  the  Swamp- Francolin  or  Kyah 
(158).  Levaillant's  Francolin  (156),  with  its  chestnut  flight-feathers, 
belongs  to  the  group  known  as  "  Redwings,"  in  South  Africa  ;  while  the 
Double-spurred  Francolin  (160)  from  West  Africa  represents  a  somewhat 
different  section  of  the  genus.  Hildebrandt's  Francolin  (1 69)  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  ErckePs  Fraucolin  (162)  are  among 
the  largest  known  species,  the  former  being  well-known  in  South  Africa 
as  the  "  Cape  Pheasant."  A  closely  allied  African  genus  Pternistes 
includes  nine  species  of  bare-throated  Francolins,  and  an  example  of 
these  will  be  found  in  Gray's  Bare-throated  Francolin  (P.  leucoscepus] 
(163). 

The  Snow-Partridge  (Lerwa)  (164),  the  sole  representative  of  its  [Case  16.] 
genus,  is  an  Alpine  form  generally  met  with  at  elevations  ranging  from 
10,000  to  15,000  feet  above  sea-level.  As  indicated  by  the  shape  of  the 
wing,  the  Snow-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  (Tetraogallus]  (165,  166),  of  which  six  species 
are  known,  are  also  Alpine  birds,  very  similar  in  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  (Rhizothera)  (167),  of  which  [Case  16.] 
only  one  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  female  of  this  curious  Malayan  form  differ  con- 
siderably in  plumage. 

Family  II.  TETRAONID^E.     GROUSE. 

The  members  of  this  family  are  distinguished  from  the  Phasianidse     ^ *\s~\ 
(Pheasants,      Partridges      and      Quails)       by      several       distinctive 
characters.     The  nostrils  are  entirely  hidden   by  feathers.     The   legs 
are    either    partially    feathered    as    in    the    Hazel-hens    and    Ruffed 


32  BIRD  GALLERY. 

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

In  no  group  of  birds  are  the  seasonal  changes  of  plumage  more 
interesting  and  peculiar  than  in  the  Willow-Grouse,  Red  Grouse,  and 
the  various  kinds  of  Ptarmigan,  and  therefore  worthy  of  special  notice- 
The  seasonal  changes  are  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  complete. 

Wild  hybrids  between  some  of  the  species  of  this  family  appear  to  be 
more  common  than  among  any  other  group  of  birds,  possibly  because 
they  attract  greater  attention.  In  many  Grouse  the  females  which  have 
become  barren  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. 
More  rarely  the  reverse  obtains,  and  examples  of  males  assuming  the 
female  plumage  are  met  with. 

[Case  17.]  The  Capercaillies  (Tetrad),  of  which  four  European  and  Asiatic  species 
are  known,  are  the  largest  members  of  the  family.  The  common  Caper- 
caillie (T.  urogallus)  (169),  inhabiting  the  pine  forests  of  Europe  and 
Northern  and  Central  Asia,  is  common  in  some  of  the  eastern  counties 
of  Scotland.  Hybrids  between  this  species  and  the  Black  Grouse  (170) 
are  by  no  means  rare,  the  male  offspring,  of  which  a  fine  example  is 
shown,  being  remarkably  handsome  birds  with  a  violet  gloss  on  the  breast. 

[Case  17.]  In  the  American  bare-toed  Grouse  belonging  to  the  genera  Dendra- 
gapus  (171),  Tympanuchus  (173),  Centrocercus  (174),  and  Pedicecetes 
(175,  176),  of  all  of  which  examples  are  exhibited,  the  males  are  provided 
with  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  (Centrocercus 
urophasianus)  (174),  a  native  of  the  sage-brush-  plains  of  Western 
North  America,  differs  from  that  of  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  (Artemisia),  the  leaves  of  which  form  its 
principal  food,  and  during  the  winter  months,  when  it  eats  little  else,  its 
flesh  is  unfit  for  the  table.  The  Prairie  Hen  (Tympanuchus  americanus) 


GAME-BIRDS.  33 

(173),  from  the  prairies  of  the  United  States,  remarkable  for  the  long 
tuft  of  feathers  on  each  side  of  the  neck  in  the  male,  and  the  Sharp-tailed 
Grouse  (Pedicecetes  phasianellus)  (175),  from  the  wooded  districts  and  tun- 
dras that  border  the  British  North-American  lakes,  are  both  well  known 
American  game-birds,  and  are  occasionally  forwarded  in  a  frozen  state 
to  the  London  market.  Another  handsome  North- American  species  is 
the  Ruffed  Grouse  (Bonasa  umbellus)  (177),  with  a  frilled  ruffle  of 
fan-shaped  feathers  on  each  side  of  the  neck.  Closely  allied  we  have 
the  Hazel-hens  (Tetrastes],  of  which  two  or  perhaps  three  species  are 
known  from  Europe  and  Northern  and  Central  Asia.  The  common 
Hazel-hen  or  Gelinotte  (T,  bonasia)  (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  white  and  delicate,  and  large  numbers  are  frozen  and  imported 
from  Scandinavia  and  Russia  to  the  London  market.  Other  well-known 
North  American  genera  are  the  American  Capercaillies  or  Dusky 
Grouse  (Dendragapus)  (171)  and  the  Canadian  Grouse  (Canachites) 
(172),  found  in  the  dense  thickets  and  evergreen  woods  of  the  middle 
and  higher  mountain-ranges. 

The  two  species  of    Black    Grouse    exhibited  are   the  only  known  r_. 

J      ,  [Case  18.] 

members  of  the  genus  Lyrurus.      Though    evidently  closely  allied,  a 

remarkable  difference  is  presented  in  their  life-history.  In  the  male  of 
the  common  Black  Grouse  (L.  tetriai]  (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  brown 
appearance.  The  young  male  of  the  Caucasian  Black  Grouse 
(L.  mlokosiewiczi]  (180)  assumes  a  barred  plumage  at  the  first  autumn 
moult,  most  nearly  resembling  that  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,  are  entirely  devoid  of  tails  and  generally  incapable  of  flying 
more  than  a  few  yards  at  most.  At  this  season  a  temporary  plumage  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, 
while  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  are  not 
cast  and  replaced  by  Black  ones  till  the  rest  of  the  plumage  has  been 
renewed,  and  the  bird  is  once  more  able  to  fly. 

Interesting  wild  hybrids  between  Black  Grouse  and  Red  Grouse 

p 


34  BIRD  GALLERY. 

(186)  and  Black  Grouse  and  Willow-Grouse   (187)  are  exhibited,  these 
being  much  rarer  than  the  hybrid  with  the  Capercaillie. 

[Case  18.1  In  tne  circumpolar  Willow-Grouse  (L.  lagopus]  (188)  and  Ptarmigan 
(L.  mutus  etc.)  (181-183)  there  are  three  distinct  changes  of  plumage, 
in  summer,  autumn  and  winter  in  both  male  and  female  alike,  the 
winter  plumage  being  white  in  all. 

The  great  peculiarity  of  the  Red  Grouse  (L.  scoticus)  (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  different 
seasons. 

The  male  has  no  distinct  summer-  (nesting-)  plumage,  but  has  distinct 
autumn-  and  winter-plumages,  retaining  the  latter  throughout  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  winter-garb  of  chestnut 
and  black,  which  is  retained  till  the  following  autumn. 


Order  II.  PTEROCLETIFORMES. 
Family  PTEROCLIDJS.     SAND-GROUSE. 

[Table-  ^is  small  order  includes  only  sixteen  species,  intermediate  in  their 
case.]  affinities  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  in  shape  to 
that  of  the  latter,  but  not  so  strongly  developed,  while  in  the  outward 
expression,  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  provided  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-GROUSE.  35 

to  traverse  great  distances  in  a  remarkably  short  space  of  time.  The 
majority  are  migratory,  some  of  them  wandering  thousands  of  miles. 
As  their  name  implies,  they  are  for  the  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-Grouse  cannot  exist 
without  water,  and  drink  regularly  in  the  early  morning  and  at  evening, 
when  they  visit  the  nearest  pool  in  countless  numbers,  their  powerful 
wings  rendering  distance  no  obstacle.  The  legs  and  toes,  which  are 
remarkably  short,  seem  ill-adapted  for  walking,  but  the  birds  are 
perfectly  at  home  on  the  ground,  and  can  run  much  more  easily  and 
rapidly  than  might  be  supposed. 

No  nest  is  made,  merely  a  slight  hollow  is  scratched  in  the  ground. 
The  eggs  are  nearly  perfectly  oval  in  shape,  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  quite  different  from  the  fluffy 
down  of  young  Game- Birds,  each  plume  of  the  body  being  distinct  and 
almost  scale-like  in  appearance.  All  the  species  are  included  in  one 
family  and  are  well  represented  in  the  Table-case  (192-198). 

Great  interest  attaches  to  Pallas's  Three-toed  Sand-Grouse  (Syr- 
rhaptes  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  numbers  periodically  visit  Europe  in  the  early 
summer,  even  penetrating  to  Great  Britain  and  other  islands  off  the 
western  coasts.  The  first  great  visitation  took  place  in  1863,  and  again 
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.  TURNICI  FORMES. 

Family  TURNICID^E.     HEMIPODES. 

The  Hemipodes   or  Bustard-Quails  (Turnitida)    form  a   family  by  [Table- 
themselves.     They  are  small  birds  resembling  Quails,  but  distinguished  case.] 
externally  by  the  absence  of  a  hind- toe,  except  in  the  Australian  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 


36  BIRD  GALLERY. 

they  are  hatched.  The  eggs,  three  to  five  in  number,  are  double- 
spotted  with  dark  purplish-brown  and  lilac,  and  are  laid  in  a  slight 
hollow  in  the  ground  lined  with  dry  grass.  Hemipodes  are  entirely 
birds  of  the  Old  World,  and  are  distributed  over  Africa,  Madagascar, 
India,  and  China,  and  extend  throughout  the  Malayan  Archipelago  to 
Australia. 

The  Andalusian  Hemipode  (Turnix  sylvatica)  (199)  inhabits  Southern 
Europe  and  North  Africa,  and  is  said  to  have  been  met  with  on  three 
occasions  in  the  South  of  England.  Like  the  rest  of  its  allies,  it  is 
solitary  in  its  habits,  frequenting  dry  grassy  plains  and  localities  covered 
with  low  trees  and  dense  bushes,  where  it  is  difficult  to  flush,  and 
escapes  from  danger  by  running. 


OrderlV.  COLUMBIFORMES.     PIGEON-TRIBE. 

[Cases  The  birds  of  this  large  order  possess  so  characteristic  a  physiognomy 
'-"  that  they  may  be  easily  recognised  at  the  first  glance.  The  bill  is 
rather  slender  and  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 
Game-Birds,  and  the  legs  are  never  armed  with  spurs. 

All  the  species  are  monogamous,  and  both  sexes  assist  in  building  the 
nest,  which  is  a  loosely  constructed  cradle  of  sticks.  The  eggs  are  pure 
white  arid  usually  two  in  number,  though  there  are  many  species  which 
lay  only  one.  The  young  when  hatched  are  blind  and  naked,  but  after 
a  little  time  become  clothed  with  hairy  down.  They  remain  in  the  nest 
for  many  days  and  are  entirely  dependent  on  the  care  of  their  parents, 
who  at  first  feed  them  with  a  milky  fluid  secreted  by  the  crop  and 
afterwards  with  moistened  food. 

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

About  450  species  are  known,  and  are  valuable  to  jnan  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  to  a  ground- 
dwelling  life,  the  great  contrast  in  size,  and  the  wonderful  range  and 
variety  of  coloration. 


PIGEONS.  37 

Family  I.  DIDID/E.     Dobos.     (Plate  II.) 

No  more  striking  illustration  of  adaptation  to  a  ground-dwelling  life  gases  & 
can  be  found  than  that  furnished  by  the  Dodos  (205)  [PI.  II.]  and  their  Picture  in 
ally  the  Solitaire  (206),  both  long  since  extinct.     Remains  of  these  now  2Q T 
famous  birds  will  be  found  in  two  of  the  Table-cases  in  this  bay.    Both 
these  relatively  gigantic  Pigeons  were  flightless,  a  condition  probably  due 
to  the  fact  that  they  lived  on  small  islands  uninhabited  by  man  or  other 
enemies,  and  were  able  to  procure  food  in  abundance  without  resorting 
to  flight.     As  a  result  of  this  easy  life  the  body  gradually  acquired  a 
greatly  increased  bulk,  whilst  the  wings  gradually  decreased  in  size, 
till  flight  at  last  became  an  impossibility. 

The  Solitaire  (Pezophaps  solitarius)  (206),  though  less  well-known 
than  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  offence.  The  Dodo  (Didus  ineptus)  (205)  inhabited 
Mauritius,  the  Reunion  or  White  Dodo  (Didus  borbonicus]  (205  a), 
Reunion,  and  the  Solitaire  Rodriguez,  all  islands  in  the  Indian  Ocean. 
When  these  islands  were  first  discovered  by  Europeans  both  the  Dodos 
and  the  Solitaire  existed  in  large  numbers,  but  being  unable  to  protect 
themselves  by  flight,  they  were  rapidly  killed  off  for  food  ;  their  ex- 
termination being  accelerated  by  the  introduction  of  dogs,  cats,  and 
swine.  Probably  by  the  end  of  the  17th  century  not  one  of  these 
birds  survived,  and  what  we  know  of  their  external  appearance  is  derived 
from  a  few  old  paintings  and, from  skeletons.  The  exhibited  examples 
of  the  Common  and  White  Dodos  are  restorations.  One  of  the  most 
interesting  paintings  is  exhibited  in  the  adjoining  Wall-case,  and  is  a 
portrait  from  life,  painted  in  Holland  by  Roelandt  Savery.  This  picture 
was  once  the  property  of  Sir  Hans  Sloane  and  was  given  by  him  to  George 
Edwardes,  F.ll.S.,  who  presented  it  to  the  British  Museum  in  1759. 

Family  II.  DIDUNCULID^:.     TOOTH-BILLED  PIGEON. 

Besides  the  two  extinct  types  just  mentioned,  there  are  many  other  [Case  19.} 
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 
(Didunculus  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  no\v  builds  its  nest 
in  the  branches.  On  account  of  its  heavy  bill,  it  bears  some  resem- 
blance to  the  Dodo,  and  mainly  on  this  account  is  held  by  some  to  be 
an  ally  of  that  extinct  bird. 


38  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Family  III.  COLUMBIA.     PIGEONS. 

[Cases  This  family  includes  all  the  remaining  species  of  the  Order.  Of  the 
19,  20.]  Groun(J_pigeons  exhibited  we  may  specially  mention  the  Giant  Crowned 
Pigeons  (Gourd)  (208,  209),  the  Grey-naped  Ground-Pigeon  (Otidiphaps 
cervicalis)  (210)  from  New  Guinea,  held  by  some  to  be  an  ally  of 
Didunculus,  the  Nicobar  Pigeon  (Calcenas  nicobaricd)  (213)  with  its 
remarkable  metallic  plumage  and  long  neck-hackles,  the  Wonga-wonga 
(Leucosarcia  picatd)  (214)  from  East  Australia,  and  the  beautiful 
Bartlett's  Blood-breasted  Pigeon  (Phlogcenas  crinigera]  (215)  from  the 
Philippines.  In  all  these  it  will  be  noted  that  the  length  of  the  leg  is 
very  conspicuously  greater  than  in  the  tree-haunting  type  of  Pigeon. 

[Case  19.]  Above  these  will  be  seen  the  beautiful  Bronze-winged  Dove 
(Chalcophaps  indica)  (227),  and  the  diminutive  Long-tailed  African  Dove 
((Ena  capensis)  (228),  one  of  the  smallest  of  all  the  Pigeons.  Next  come 
the  more  familiar  species  belonging  to  the  genera  Turtur  and  Columba. 
Of  the  former  the  Turtle-Dove  (T.  turtur}  (231)  and  the  Eastern 
Turtle-Dove  (Turtur  orient  alls]  (231  a),  which  is  included  in  the  British 
List,  may  be  specially  mentioned,  and  of  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 
species  all  the  domesticated  varieties  have  been  derived.  The  handsome 
Reinwardt's  Cuckoo-Dove  (Reimvardfcenas  reinwardti]  (240)  and  the 
Passenger  Pigeon  (Ectopistes  miff  rat  orius}  (241),  of  Eastern  North 
America,  complete  the  more  noticeable  species  in  this  Case.  The  latter 
species  is  now  extinct,  though  only  a  few  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-eight  miles  long  by  three  or  four  broad.  During 
the  nesting-season  millions  of  birds  are  said  to  have  been  slaughtered 
without  producing  any  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 
Chatham  Island  form  (Hemiphaga  chathamensis)  (249),  exhibited  on  the 
floor  of  this  Case,  are  of  large  size,  and  a  curious  crested  species, 
Lophol&mus  antarcticus  (248)  from  New  South  Wales,  will  be  found 
near  it.  The  Nutmeg-Pigeon  (Myristidvora  bicolor)  (250)  from  the 
Malay  Archipelago  is  a  striking  form,  being  pure  white  with  the  flight- 
feathers  and  tip  of  the  tail  black.  Among  the  more  brilliantly  coloured 
forms  are  the  Orange  Fruit-Pigeon  (Chryscenas  victor}  (262)  from  the 
Fiji  Islands,  and  the  Jambu  Fruit-Pigeon  (Ptilopus  jambu}  (271)  from 
Borneo.  The  Red-crowned  Pigeon  (Alectrcenas  pulcherrima)  (261) 
from  the  Seychelles  represents  a  remarkable  little  group,  one  of  which, 


RAILS.  39 

A.  nitidissima  of  Mauritius,  has  become  extinct  within  historic  times. 
Of  the  Green  Fruit-Pigeons  Sphenocercus  (278  c),  Osmotreron  (277), 
(277  a),  Treron  (276),  etc.,  a  number  are  exhibited  at  the  top  of  the  Case, 
and,  as  will  be  seen,  the  harmonious  colouring  of  some  of  the  smaller 
species  is  wonderfully  pleasing,  and  renders  them  almost  invisible 
among  the  foliage  of  the  trees. 


Order  V.  RALLI FORMES.     RAIL-LIKE  BIRDS. 

The  members  of  this  Order  are  all  adapted  for  a  life  among  thick  [C'ase  22.] 
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  apparently  weak  and  unprotracted  flight,  many  are  migratory, 
and  some,  such  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 
numerous,  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.  RALLI D^E.     RAILS. 

The  true  Rails  may  be  distinguished  by  the  absence  of  a  horny  frontal  [Case  22.] 
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 
(Rallus  aquations)  (298)  and  the  Corn-Crake  or  Laud-Rail  (Crex  crex) 
(312)  are  both  found  in  Great  Britain,  the  former  as  a  resident,  the 
latter  as  a  summer  visitor  from  South  Africa.  The  Spotted  (316), 
Little  (315),  Carolina  (313),  and  Baillon's  Crakes  (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  Aramides  (306-308),  three  species  of  which  are  exhibited. 

The  singular  Wallace's  Rail  (Habroptila  wallacei)  (305),  from  the 
forests  of  Halmahera  in  the  Moluccas,  and  the  Weka  Rails  or  Wood- 
hens  (Ocydromus)  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.  australis)  (304),  a  rather  large 
bird  about  the  size  of  a  hen,  is  much  sought  after  by  the  Maoris,  botli  for 


40  BIRD  GALLERY. 

[Case  22.]  food  and  for  the  sake  of  its  oil.  Numerous  forms  allied  to  this  genus 
have  already  become  extinct,  such  as  Aphanapteryx  from  Mauritius 
and  Leguatia  gigantea  from  Rodriguez,  which  is  described  as  standing- 
six  feet  in  height  and  having  a  body  as  large  as  that  of  a  Goose. 

Other  genera,  such  as  the  Purple  Gallirmles  (Porphyriola,  Porphyrio 
(329-332)  and  Notornis),  are  remarkable  for  the  beauty  of  their  plumage, 
the  great  size  of  their  bill  and  frontal  shield,  aud  the  length  of  their 
toes.  The  celebrated  "  Moho  "  (Notornis  mantelli),  one  of  the  most 
interesting  of  the  Purple  Gallinules,  is  all  but  extinct.  It  is  unable  to 
fly,  aud  has  now  entirely  disappeared  from  the  North  Island  of  New 
Zealand,  but  in  the  South  Island  three  have  been  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.  Allen's  Purple  Gallinule 
(P.  alleni)  (329  a)  has  occurred  once  at  Yarmouth.  The  common  British 
Moorhen  or  Waterhen  (Gallinula  chluropus)  (327)  is  nearly  related  to 
the  Purple  Gallinules,  though  its  colouring  is  much  less  brilliant.  The 
Coots  (Fulica),  of  which  the  common  Coot  (F.  atra)  (334)  is  the  best 
known,  may  be  recognised  from  the  rest  of  the  family  by  the  broad  lobes 
to  the  toes,  their  feet  bearing  a  strong  resemblance  to  those  of  the 
Grebes.  They  are  all  good  swimmers,  spending  the  greater  part  of 
,  their  life  on  the  water,  and  the  species  are  distributed  over  most  of  the 
world,  though  the  majority  belong  to  the  South  American  region. 

Family  II.  HELIORNITHID.E.     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  (Heliornis  fulica)  (337).  Peters's 
Finfoot  ( Podica  petersi)  (336)  represents  the  Old  World  forms. 

Order  VI.  PODICIPEDIFORMES. 

Family  PODICIPEDID^E.     GREBE*. 

[Case  21.]  The  birds  which  constitute  this  Order  are  an  extremely  interesting 
group  on  account  of  the  profound  modifications  which  the  skeleton  has 
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  that  the  legs  are  set  very  far  back  near  the  hinder  end  of  the  body,  a 
position  which  ensures  the  maximum  of  power  when  swimming,  but 
which  leaves  the  bird  almost  helpless  on  land  The  front  toes  are 


GREBES.  41 

provided  with  wide  lateral  lobes  which  are  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  muffs  and  trimmings  for  dresses  which  are  made 
from  their  beautiful  silvery-white  breasts. 

The  Grebes  are  a  nearly  cosmopolitan  family,  though  chiefly  found  in 
the  temperate  regions  of  both  Hemispheres.  About  twenty-five  species 
are  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. 

lii  winter  they  migrate  from  the  colder  parts  and  are  then  often  to  be 
found  at  the  sea,  but  they  breed  exclusively  on  fresh  water,  attaching 
their  floating  nest  of  weeds  to  any  convenient  patch  of  reeds.  The  eggs, 
which  are  from  three  to  six  in  number,  are  bluish-white  \vhen  first  laid 
but  soon  become  stained  with  brown.  Five  species  occur  in  the  British 
Isles,  the  Great  Crested  Grebe  (Podicipes  cristatus)  (287)  and  the  Dab- 
chick  (P.flwviatilis)  (279)  being  residents,  while  the  lled-necked  (286), 
Eared  or  Slavonian  (284),  and  Black-necked  Grebes  (285)  are  autumn- 
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.  micropterum) ,  which 
is  found  on  Lake  Titicaca  in  Peru,  12,645  ft.  altitude,  and  lacks  the 
power  of  flight. 

Order  VII.  COLYMBIFORMES. 

Family  COLYMBID^E.     DIVERS. 

The  Divers,  or  Loons  as  they  are  also 'called,  present  precisely  similar  [Case  21.] 
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  for  swimming  and  diving, 
when  once  on  the  wing  they  can  also  fly  with  great  rapidity,  but  on  land 
their  movements  are  awkward  and  clumsy. 

Of  the  five  species  known  to  inhabit  the  Arctic  and  sub-Arctic 
portions  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  four  visit  Great  Britain,  two, 
the  Red-throated  (290)  and  Black-throated  Divers  (291),  nesting  within 
our  limits,  and  two,  the  Great  Northern  (293)  and  the  White-billed 
Divers  (292),  visiting  our  shores  in  winter,  the  latter  very  rarely. 
In  autumn  they  change  their  summer-plumage  for  a  more  sober  garb, 


42  BIRD  GALLERY. 

becoming  entirely  white  underneath.  A  comparison  of  the  maps 
showing  the  distribution  of  the  Grebes  and  Divers  clearly  indicates 
how  the  latter  take  the  place  of  the  former  in  the  more  northern 
regions. 

Order  VIII.  SPHENISCIFORMES. 
Family  SPHENISCID^E.     PENGUINS.    (Plate  III.) 
[Central       Penguins  may  fairly  be  considered  to  hold  the  same  place  among  the 

Case.]  Bir(is  that  the  Seals  do  among  the  Mammalia.  At  the  present  time  they 
are  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  are  modified 
into  swimming-paddles  covered  with  narrow  scale-like  feathers.  Their 
legs  are  included  in  the  skin  of  the  body,  and  their  large  clumsy  feet 
are  placed  so  far  back  as  to  render  their  locomotion  on  land  a  somewhat 
difficult  operation.  Their  home  is  the  sea,  and  when  diving  they  propel 
themselves  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  are  not  often  disturbed 
by  man,  and  extend  up  to  the  equator  (Galapagos)  in  the  Pacific. 

All  the  known  species,  seventeen  in  number,  may  be  grouped  into 
six  genera.  The  best  known  are  the  large  King- Penguins  (Aptenodytes 
patagonica)  (350)  [Figs.  <?&/],  which  generally  stand  with  their  head 
and  neck  stretched  out  vertically  and  the  tip  of  their  beak  pointed  almost 
directly  upwards.  When  pursued  on  shore  they  can  move  with  con- 
siderable speed,  and  lying  down  flat  on  the  belly,  work  both  their  legs 
and  wings  wildly  to  assist  them  in  their  frantic  efforts  to  escape.  Still 
larger  birds  are  the  Emperor-Penguins  (A.  forsteri]  (351)  from  the 
Antarctic  continent.  Both  these  and  the  King-Penguin  have  a  remark- 
able method  of  incubating,  which  is  shared  by  male  and  female  alike. 
[Table-  The  large  single  egg  is  placed  on  the  feet  and  pressed  closely  to  a  bare 

case.]  patch  on  the  lower  abdomen,  being  kept  in  place  by  a  peculiar  flap 
of  thickly  feathered  skin.  When  the  bird  leaves  the  egg  for  feeding 
purposes,  it  is  immediately  taken  possession  of  by  some  other  Penguin, 
The  Jackass-Penguins  (Spheniscus)  have  received  their  name  from  their 
cry,  which  resembles  the  braying  of  a  donkey.  The  nest  of  S.  magel- 
lanicus  (340)  is  a  rudely  constructed  pile  of  grass-roots  and  other 
materials.  The  Rock-hoppers  (Catarrhactes  (343-345)  [Figs,  a  &  c] 
and  Meyadyptes  (346)  [Fig.  c?]),  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  Eudyptula  (352, 
352  a)  [Fig.  b~\t  which  inhabit  the  coasts  of  South  Australia  and  New 
Zealand. 


PETRELS.  43 

Order  IX.  PROCELLAR1IFORMES.     PETREL-TRIBE. 

The  Albatroses  and  Petrels  bear  a  strong  superficial  resemblance  to  J-P^? s-i 
the  Gulls,  to  which,  however,  they  are  not  even  remotely  related.  They 
may  be  distinguished  by  the  curious  shape  of  the  nostrils,  which  have 
tubular  openings,  while  in  the  Gulls  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  other  known  bird,  while  the  Storm-Petrels  are  hardly  larger  than 
a  Swallow.  All  are  endowed  with  great  powers  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  in 
vast  colonies  in  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.  The  egg  is  dull  white,  often  marked,  especially  in  the 
smaller  species,  with  a  ring  of  reddish  spots  round  the  larger  end.  The 
young  when  hatched  are  covered  with  thick  white  or  grey  down,  and 
are  for  a  long  time  helpless  and  dependent  on  the  care  of  their  parents. 

Family  I.  DIOMEDEIDVE.     ALBATROSES. 

The  Albatroses,  of  which  three  genera  and  about  fifteen  species  are  [Case  23.] 
recognised,  are  the  most  powerful  of  all  birds  on  the  wing.  One  of  the 
largest  and  best  known  species  is  the  Wandering  Albatros  (Diomedea 
exulans]  (355),  which  measures  nearly  eleven  feet  across  the  expanded 
wings.  This  bird  breeds  in  great  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  in  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  may  be  seen  in  the 
young  Royal  Albatros  (D.  regid)  (357).  The  immense  expanse  of  the 
wings  in  flight  is  seen  in  the  rare  White-winged  Albatros  (T>.  chionopterd) 
(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  in  Cambridgeshire  in  1897.  Other  species  of  the  family  are 
the  Yellow-nosed  Albatros  (Thalassogeron  chlororhynchus)  (359),  and  the 
Sooty  Albatros  (Phcebetria  fuliginosd)  (360). 

Family  II.  PROCELLARIID.E.     PETRELS. 

The  most  aberrant  of  the  Petrels  are  undoubtedly  the  three  species  [Case  23.] 
included  in  the  subfamily  Pelecanoidirue  or  Diving  Petrels,  which  are 
represented  by  Garuot's  Petrel  (Pelecanoides  garnoti)  (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 
emerge  from  beneath  the  surface  flying.  Unlike  the  other  Petrels,  they 
are  generally  found  singly  or  in  pairs  and  nest  sporadically. 


44  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Tne  second  subfamily  Procellariinee  includes  the  true  Petrels.  The 
Shearwaters  (Puffinus)  are  numerously  represented  in  all  the  great 
oceans  of  the  world,  and  derive  their  name  from  their  curious  habit  of 
skimming  just  over  the  surface  of  the  waves.  The  Manx  Shearwater 
(P.  anglorum]  (370)  is  widely  distributed  over  British  waters  throughout 
the  year,  and  breeds  on  many  of  the  islands  off  the  coast,  while  the 
Greater  (372),  Mediterranean  Greater  (371),  Sooty  (368),  and  Little 
Dusky  (369)  Shearwaters  are  visitors  to  our  shores,  the  last  being 
much  the  rarest. 

The  allied  genus  (Estrelata,  including  some  thirty  species,  is  interesting 
from  the  fact  that  three  of  the  species  have  each  been  recorded  once  from 
Britain.  Of  these  a  specimen  of  the  Collared  Petrel  (CE.br evipes)  (365) 
killed  in  Wales  is  exhibited,  also  SchlegePs  Petrel  (GE.  neglectd)  (365  a), 
but  the  Capped  Petrel  ((E.  hcesitata)  is  so  rare  that  only  one  example 
exists  in  the  Museum  collection. 

Bulwer's  Petrel  (Bulweria  bulweri)  (364),  a  curious  sooty-black  form, 
is  common  in  the  Madeiran  waters,  and  has  occurred  once  in  Yorkshire 
and  once  in  Sussex,  where  a  specimen  was  picked  up  dead.    The  Pintado 
Petrel  or  "  Cape  Pigeon  "  (Daption  capensis)  (363),  as  its  name  implies, 
is  numerous  off  the  South  African  coast,  and  is  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 
(Pagodroma  nivea)  (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  " 
(Ossifraga  gigantea]  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  are 
shown.     The  Fulmar  Petrel  (Fulmarus  glacialis)  (379)  is  a  well-known 
inhabitant  of  the  seas  of  Arctic  Europe,  and  nests  within  our  limits  in 
Scotland  and  the  North  of  Ireland.     Two  phases  of  plumage  are  known, 
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  lamellae,  resembling  those  of  the  Ducks;     Of  the  small  long- 
legged  Petrels,  commonly  known  as  "  Mother  Carey'*  Chickens,"  and 
placed  by  some  authors  in  a  separate  subfamily,   Oceanitince,  quite  a 
number  appear  on  the  list  of  British  Birds.     Two,  the  Storm-Petrel 
(Procellaria pelagica)  (381)  and  Leach's  Fork-tailed  Petrel  (Oceanodroma 
leucorrhoa)  (382),  breed  on  some  of  the  islands   off  the  west  coast  of 
Britain,    while    Harcourt's    Storm-Petrel    (0.  castro]   (383),  Wilson's 
Storm-Petrel    (Oceanites  oceanicus)    (387),   and    the    beautiful    White- 
breasted  or  Frigate-Petrel  (Pelagodruma  marina)  (385)  are  accidental 
visitors  to  our  shores. 


AUKS.  45 

Order  X.  ALCIFORMES. 

Family  ALCID^E.     AUKS.     (Plates  IV.,  V.) 

The  Auks,  Guillemots,  Razor-bills  and  Puffins,  included  in  this  family,  [Case  24.] 
form  a  group  of  exceptional  interest  on  account  of  the  modifications  of 
structure  which  they  have  undergone  to  adapt  them  to  a  purely  pelagic 
life.  Though  allied  to  the  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  the  body  are  specially  suited  to  their  peculiar 
habits.  Their  distribution  is  confined  to  the  coasts  of  the  North 
Circumpolar  region,  none  being  found  either  in  the  tropical  zone  or  in 
the  Southern  Hemisphere.  Black  and  white  are  the  predominating 
colours  in  the  plumage  of  these  birds.  They  breed  generally  on  rocky 
cliffs  and  islands  in  enormous  colonies,  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  birds  themselves. 
The  young  are  covered  with  down  when  hatched,  and  in  their  first 
plumage  differ  but  little  from  the  adult. 

The  smallest  members  of  the  group  are  the  little  Auks,  represented 
on  the  top  shelf  of  this  case  by  several  diminutive  species.  Least  of 
these  is  the  Minute  Auk  (Simorhynchus  pusillus)  (390),  remarkable  on 
account  of  its  extremely  small  bill,  while  the  Pigmy  Auk  (S.  pygmaus) 
(391)  and  the  Crested  Auk  (S.  cristatellus]  (392)  have  an  elongate  frontal 
crest  of  narrow  feathers  curving  forward  over  the  bill.  In  these  species, 
as  in  their  allies  the  Puffins,  the  supplementary  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  (Phaleris 
psittaculus)  (393)  from  the  North  Pacific  is  another  curious  little  form, 
and  the  Unicorn  Puffin  (Cerorhyncha  monocerata)  (394),  from  the  North 
Pacific  and  Bering  Sea,  has  a  peculiar  horny  excrescence  at  the  base  of 
the  bill  during  the  breeding-season. 

The  Common  Puffin  or  Sea-Parrot  (Fratercula  arctica]  (397)  [PI.  IV.], 
a  common  British  species,  the  Horned  Puffin  (F.  corniculata)  (396),  and 
their  ally  the  Tufted  Puffin  (Lunda  cirrhata)  (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  in  autumn  a  remarkable  moult  takes  place, 
and  the  coloured  shields  fall  off,  leaving  the  bill  about  half  its  former 
size.  This  is  clearly  illustrated  on  the  tablet  exhibited  in  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 


46  BIRD  GALLERY. 

come  two  diminutive  forms  of  Guillemot  represented  by  the  Ancient 
Auk  (Synthliborhamphus  antiguus)  (389)  and  the  Marbled  Guillemot 
(Brachyrhamphus  marmoratus)  (398).  Of  the  true  Guillemots  (Uria) 
two  species,  the  Common  Guillemot,  Marrot,  or  Murre  (U.  troile)  (402), 
and  the  Black  Guillemot  or  Tystie  (U.  grylle]  (400),  are  British  breeding- 
birds  ;  the  Bridled  Guillemot  ( U.  troile,  var  ringvia]  (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  company  with  it.  The  wonderful  range  of  colour  and 
markings  in  the  eggs  laid  by  the  Common  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.  Briinnich's  Guillemot 
(U.  lomvia)  (403),  distinguished  chiefly  by  its  stouter  bill  and  by  having 
the  basal  part  of  the  upper  mandible  naked,  occasionally  visits  our 
coasts  as  a  straggler  from  the  Arctic  Ocean.  Another  regular  winter 
visitor  to  Britain  is  the  Little  Auk  or  Rotche  (Alle  alle)  (404).  The 
Razor-Bill  (Alca  tordd)  (405)  is  chiefly  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  (Plautus 
impennis)  (406)  [PI.  V.]  is  a  bird  of  quite  exceptional  interest,  being  now 
extinct.  As  may  be  seen  from  its  diminutive  wings  it  was  quite  unable 
to  fly,  and  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  1844.  Specimens  of  this  bird  and  its 
eggs  are  now  regarded  as  great  treasures. 

Order  XI.  LARJFORMES.     GULL-TRIBE. 

L^ases  The  Gulls,  Terns,  and  Skuas  which  make  up  this  Order  are  closely 
allied  on  the  one  hand  to  the  Auks  and  on  the  other  to  the  Plovers 
which  follow,  and  some  zoologists  regard  these  three  groups  as  forming 
but  a  single  Order.  Superficially  the  Gulls  bear  s.ome  resemblance  to  the 
Petrels,  but  may  readily  be  distinguished  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. 


GULLS.  47 

Though  most  of  the  species  are  truly  marine,  they  often  wander  far 
inland,  and  many  breed  in  large  colonies  in  the  proximity  of  fresh 
water. 


Family  I.  STERCORARIID^E.     SKUAS. 

On  the  floor  of  this  Case  will  be  found  the  Skuas  or  Parasitic  Gulls,  [Case  26.] 
mostly  birds  of  a  dusky  or  reddish-brown  colour,  and  remarkable  not 
only  in  possessing  a  "  cere  "  or  bare  wax-like  base  to  the  bill,  but  also  as 
regards  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  them  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- 
arctica)  (410),  ranging  from  New  Zealand  to  the  Falkland  Islands, 
appears  to  feed  almost  entirely  on  Petrels,  and  closely  resembles  some 
large  hawk  as  it  rapidly  quarters  the  hill-sides  in  search  of  prey.  Of 
the  smaller  long-tailed  species  (Stercorarius) ,  Richardson's  Skua 
(S.  crepidatus]  (411)  has  both  dark  and  light  phases  of  plumage,  and 
nests  in  some  of  the  islands  off  the  north  of  Scotland;  while  Buffon's 
and  the  Pomatorhine  Skuas  (S.  parasiticus  (412)  and  S.  pomaturhinus 
(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  VI.,  VII.) 

The  Gulls  may  generally  be  distinguished  from  the  Terns  by  their         [Cases 
strong,  curved  bill  and  square  tail.     Many  of  the  larger  species  are       '      -" 
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  R.   [Case  25.] 
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.  VI.],  the  Greater  and  Lesser  Black-backed 
Gulls  (L.  marinus  (421)  and  L.  fuscus  (423)),  all  of  which  breed  in  the 
British  Isles  ;  while  the  Glaucous  and  Iceland  Gulls  (L.  glaucus  (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  BIRD  GALLERY. 

[Case  26.]  species  are  exhibited,  one  of  the  most  noteworthy  being  the  Pacific  Gull 
(Gabianus pacificus)  (417),  with  its  remarkably  stout  bill ;  while  Tschudr's 
(430),  Hemprich's  (431),  and  Heerrnan's  (429)  Gulls  are  specially  inter- 
esting forms  on  account  of  their  peculiar  dusky  coloration.  The  hooded 
Gulls  comprise  such  species  as  our  Black-headed  Gull  (L.  ridibundus) 
(432),  the  commonest  British  species,  and  the  Bonaparte's  (L.  philadel- 
phia)  (434),  Mediterranean  Black-headed  (L.  melanocephalus)  (435), 
Great  Hooded  (L.  ichthyaetus]  (436),  and  Little  Gull  (L.  minutus)  (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  (Xema  sabinei]  (438)  and  the  very  rare  Ross' 
Rosy  Gull  (Rhodosiethia  rosed}  (439)  are  aberrant  forms ;  in  the  former 
the  tail  is  forked,  in  the  latter  cuneate  or  wedge. shaped.  Both  belong  to 
the  Arctic  Seas  and  are  only  stragglers  to  our  coasts. 

[Case  26.]  The  Terns  or  Sea-Swallows  may  be  recognised  by  their  nearly  straight, 
pointed  and  comparatively  slender  bill,  forked  tail,  and  more  slender 
build.  Specially  interesting  forms  are  the  White  Tern  (Gygls  Candida) 
(440)  and  the  Noddy  (.Anous  stolidus)  (443),  with  its  curious  nest  of 
mud  and  seaweed,  etc.  placed  on  the  bough  of  a  tree.  This  bird  has  twice 
been  recorded  from  our  shores.  In  the  British  Islands  five  species  of  Tern 
(Sterna),  viz.:  the  Common  (S.  fluviatiiis)  (452),  Arctic  (S.  macrura) 
(453),  Little  (S.  minuta)  (448),  Sandwich  (S.  cantiaca)  (455)  [PI.  VII.], 
and  Roseate  (S.  dougalli)  (454),  are  regular  summer  visitors  and 
remain  to  breed,  the  last  being  very  much  the  rarest.  Besides  these, 
seven  other  species  of  Tern  have  been  recorded  as  accidental  visitors, 
viz.  :  the  Sooty  (S.  fuliginosa)  (446),  Bridled  (S.  anastheta)  (447), 
Caspian  (Hydroprogne  caspia)  (456),  Gull-billed  (Gelochelidon  anglica) 
(467),  White-winged  (Hy drochelidon  leucoptera)  (458),  Whiskered 
(H.  hybrida)  (459),  and  Black  (H.  nigra)  (460).  All  these  are  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  are  the  Scissor-billed 
Terns,  of  which  an  example  will  be  found  in  Rliynchops  flavirostris  (462). 
They  have  been  given  their  trivial  name  on  account  of  the  peculiar 
form  of  the  bill,  which  is  quite  unique  among  birds.  Both  upper  and 
lower  mandibles  are  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  a 
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  American. 


PLOVERS.  49 


Order  XII.  CHARADRIIFORMES.     PLOVER-TRIBE. 

The  birds  included  in  this  Order  present  great  variety  in  size,  shape 
and  coloration,  and  it  is  interesting  to  notice  that  these  differences  are 
generally  traceable  to  peculiar  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  banks  of  streams  and  desolate  marshes,  feeding 
on  worms,  small  shell-fish,  and  Crustacea.  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  seasonal  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  are  clothed  in  a  thick  covering  of 
beautifully  patterned  down,  the  colour  of  which  is  more  or  less  deter- 
mined by  the  surroundings  amid  which  they  are  hatched. 


Family  I.  DROMADID^E.     CRAB-PLOVERS. 

On  the  floor  of  this  Case,  on  the  right-hand  side,  we  find  the  sole  [Case  27.] 
representative  of  this  very  aberrant  and  remarkable  family,  which 
inhabits  the  coast-land  and  sandy  islands  of  India,  Arabia  and  East 
Africa.  The  nesting  habits  differ  entirely  from  those  of  every  other 
member  of  this  order,  for  the  Crab-plover  (Dramas  ardeola)  (463) 
breeds  in  deep  burrows  excavated  in  the  sand-hills  and  lays  a  single 
large  white  egg.  The  young  are  covered  with  greyish  down  and,  like 
young  petrels,  remain  in  the  burrows  during  the  day. 

Family  II.  CHIONIDID^E.     SHEATHBILLS. 

The  Sheathbills,  of  which  three  species  are  known,  form  another  very  [Case  270 
aberrant  family,  inhabiting  the  islands  adjacent  to  the  southern  "ex- 
tremity 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  (Chionarchus 
minor)  (465)  are  described  as  resembling  in  some  respects  those  of 
Pigeons,  while  in  their  gait  and  flight  they  closely  resemble  Ptarmigan. 
The  rough  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  spotted  and  mottled  with  purplish-red. 

i 


50  BIRD   GALLERY. 

Family  III.  ATTAGID^:.     SEED-SNIPES. 

[Case  27.]  This  is  another  aberrant  group  of  the  Plover-tribe,  peculiar  to  South 
America.  Two  distinct  genera  are  recognised,  each  of  which  is  repre- 
sented in  the  Case.  Gay's  Seed-Snipe  (Attagis  gayi)  (466)  and 
D'Orbigny's  Seed-Snipe  (Thinocorus  orbignianus]  (467)  are  both  re- 
markably unlike  Plovers,  the  former  especially  bearing  a  marked 
resemblance  to  the  Tinamous. 

Family  IV.  CHARADRIID^.     PLOVERS.     (Plate  VIII.) 

[Cases  To  this  very  large  family  belong  all  the  Snipes,  Sandpipers,  and  Plovers. 
27,  28.]  They  may  be  divided  into  several  subfamilies.  The  first  (Phalaropinee) 
includes  the  little  Phalaropes,  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 
are  lobed,  and  they  are  able  to  swim  with  ease  and  spend  much  of 
their  time  on  the  water.  The  female  is  larger  and  more  handsomely 
coloured  than  the  male,  who  undertakes  the  duties  of  incubation  and 
the  care  of  the  young.  The  Red-necked  Phalarope  (Phalaropus  hyper- 
boreus]  (470)  annually  visits  the  British  Islands,  and  still  breeds  on 
some  of  the  islets  off  the  north  arid  west  coasts.;  but  the  Grey 
Phalarope  (Crymophilus  fulicarius)  (469)  is  only  an  irregular  visitor 
to  our  shores,  while  Wilson's  Phalarope  (Steganopus  tricolor]  (468) 
is  a  North  American  species.  The  great  difference  between  the  summer 
and  winter  plumage  of  these  birds  is  Avorth  noting. 

A  precisely  similar  reversal  of  the  sexual  characters  is  found  in  the 
Painted  Snipe  (Rostratula  capensis]  (472),  examples  of  which  may  be 
seen  on  the  shelf  above.  Generally  these  birds  are  regarded  as  true 
Snipe,  but  they  are  probably  more  nearly  allied  to  the  Sandpipers. 
Three  species  are  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  tip.  The  Common  Snipe 
( Gallinago  gallinago)  (476)  and  the  Woodcock  (Scolopax  rusticula]  (471) 
are  both  well-known  British  species,  breeding  throughout  the  Islands  ; 
while  the  Great,  Double,  or  Solitary  Snipe  ( Gallinago  major]  (477)  and 


PLOVERS.  51 

the  Jack  Snipe  (Limnocryptes  gallinula)  (473)  are  winter  visitors,  the 
former,  however,  being  comparatively  rare. 

The  next  subfamily,  Totanina,  occupying  the  remainder  of  Case  27  [Cases  27, 
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),  Ruff  (500),  Greenshank  (496),  Redshank 
(506),  Common  Sandpiper  (502),  Curlew  (519),  and  Whimbrel  (516) 
breed  in  the  British  Isles,  though  the  Ruff  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  Black- 
tailed  Godwits  (508)  visit  our  coasts  regularly  ;  while  among  the 
occasional  visitors  are  the  Broad-billed  (485),  American  Pectoral  (481), 
Bonaparte's  (480),  Baird's  (480  a),  Buff-breasted  (493),  Bartram's 
(494),  Solitary  (498);  and  Snipe-billed  or  Red-breasted  (511)  Sand- 
pipers, the  American  (487)  and  Temminck's  (489)  Stints,  Spotted  Sand- 
piper (501),  Yellowshank  (503),  Marsh  Sandpiper  (504),  and  Eskimo 
Curlew  (513). 

Among  the  typical  Sandpipers,  perhaps  the  most  striking  form  on 
account  of  its  remarkable  bill,  is  the  little  Spoon-billed  Sandpiper 
(Eurynorhynchus  pygm&us)  (490),  a  native  of  Eastern  Asia.  As  regards 
variety  of  colour  the  polygamous  Ruff  (Pavoncella  pugnax]  (500)  is  quite 
peculiar.  During  the  breeding-season  the  face  of  the  male  becomes 
covered  with  small  yellow  warts,  the  fore-neck  develops  an  enormous 
"  ruff "  of  feathers  which  can  be  erected  or  depressed  at  will,  and  the 
head  is  adorned  with  tufts  of  feathers  or  "  ears  "  which  are  also  erectile. 
Both  "ruff"  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  Ruff  is  polygamous,  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  (Numenius}  (513-519)  these  seasonal 
differences  are  very  slight. 

The    Ibis-billed    Curlew   (Ibidurhynchus  struthersi]    (520),  from    the  [Case  28.] 
inland  streams  of  Central  Asia,  China,  and  the  Himalaya,  is  the  unique 
type  of  the  next  subfamily,  and  worthy  of  special  notice.     It  is  more 
nearly  allied  to  the  Oyster-catchers  than  the  Curlews  and  resembles  the 
former  in  its  habits. 

E  2 


52  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Of  the  Arenariince,  the  Turnstone  (Arenaria  interpres)  (522),  one  of 
the  commonest  of  our  shore  birds,  is  almost  cosmopolitan  in  its  range, 
nesting  in  the  Arctic  regions  of  both  Hemispheres  and  ranging  south 
almost  as  far  as  land  extends.  It  gains  its  trivial  name  of  "Turnstone" 
from  its  habit  of  turning  over  stones  to  secure  the  small  Crustacea  hiding 
beneath  them. 

The  Oyster-catchers  or  "  Sea-Pies"  (Htematopodina)  (523-525),  which 
have  the  legs  reticulated  both  in  front  and  behind,  derive  their  name 
from  their  supposed  habit  of  feeding  on  oysters.  They  live,  however, 
chiefly  on  mussels,  whelks,  and  other  shellfish,  which  are  scooped  from 
their  shells  by  the  bird's  powerful  bill.  The  common  Oyster-catcher 
(Hamatopus  ostralegus)  (525)  is  a  familiar  British  species,  breeding  on 
the  shores  and  sandy  beds  of  rivers,  and  depositing  its  eggs  in  a  slight 
depression  in  the  ground.  As  will  be  seen  from  the  specimen  of 
H.  unicolor  (523)  in  the  Case,  some  species  are  entirely  black. 

Passing  over  the  Peltohyatince,  which  includes  only  the  Australian 
Dotterel  (Peltohyas  australis)  (533),  we  come  to  the  True  Plovers 
(Charadriina)  which  include  a  number  of  well-known  forms,  many  of 
which  are  found  on  the  List  of  British  Birds. 

Commencing  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  fifth  shelf  we  find  the  very 
singular  Wry-billed  Plover  (Anarhynchus  front  alls)  (532)  of  New 
Zealand,  which  has  the  bill  twisted  towards  the  right,  an  adaptation 
which  enables  the  bird  to  pick  up  insects  hiding  under  stones. 

The  Ringed  (527)  and  Kentish  (529)  Plovers  [PI.  VIII.],  Dotterel 
(535),  Golden  Plover  (546),  and  Lapwing  (544),  are  all  well-known 
British  birds  and  breed  in  our  islands  ;  the  Little  Ringed  (528)  and  Grey 
Plovers  (541)  are  regular  visitors  on  migration,  and  the  Killdeer  (534), 
Caspian  (537),  and  American  Golden  (547)  Plovers  are  occasional 
stragglers  to  our  shores.  The  Dotterel  (Eudromias  morinellus)  (535), 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  Plovers,  was  at  one  time  a  toler- 
ably common  British  bird,  but  its  numbers  have  greatly  decreased 
of  recent  years.  The  Grey  Plover  (Squaturola  helvetica]  (541)  and 
the  Golden  Plover  ( Charadrius  pluvialis)  (546)  are  conspicuous  for  the 
marked  changes  of  plumage  during  the  summer  and  winter  months.  The 
Lapwing,  Peewit,  or  Green  Plover  (Vanellus  vanellus]  (544)  is  perhaps 
the  best  known  bird  of  the  group  on  account  of  its  eggs  being  so  highly 
prized  as  table-delicacies.  The  young  of  this  species  (545)  exhibited  in 
the  Case  show  the  protective  nature  of  the  colour  in  the  nestling  down. 
[Case  28.]  A  number  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  only,  we  may  draw  attention  to  the  Crested- 


PLOVERS.  53 

Wattled  Lapwing  (Sarciophorus  tectus)  (555).  In  the  Black-thighed 
(Xiphidiopterus  cucullatus]  (542)  and  Latham's  Wattled  Lapwing 
(Lobivanellus  lobatus)  (548),  both  wattles  and  spurs  to  the  wings  are 
found ;  while  others,  such  as  the  Cayenne  Lapwing  (Belonopterus  cayen- 
ncnsis)  (554)  and  the  Egyptian  Spur-winged  Lapwing  (Hoplopterus 
spinosus)  (543),  have  spurs  only.  The  latter  species  is  believed  by  some 
to  be  the  "  Crocodile-Bird  "  of  the  earlier  writers,  and  is  said  to  enter  the 
mouths  of  Crocodiles  to  feed  on  the  parasites  attached  to  the  gums. 
The  Sociable  Plover  (Chatusia  gregaria)  (552),  which  ranges  from 
South-eastern.  Europe  and  North-east  Africa  to  Central  Asia  and  India, 
is  interesting  to  British  ornithologists  as  having  been  captured  three 
times  in  Lancashire. 

The  Avocets  and  Stilts  (HimantopodintB]  (557-562),  which  complete  [Case  28-l 
the  series  in  this  Case,  are  singularly  interesting  types,  the  former 
especially  so  on  account  of  the  form  of  the  bill,  which  is  upturned  and 
drawn  out  into  an  extremely  fine  point.  The  common  Avocet 
(Recurvirostra  avocetta]  (561)  at  one  time  bred  in  considerable  numbers 
in  the  fen-country  in  the  east  of  England,  but  now  occurs  only  as  a  * 
visitor  on  migration.  The  Banded  Avocet  (Cladorhynchus  leucocephalus) 
(560)  of  Australia,  a  remarkably  handsome  bird,  represents  an  inter- 
mediate form  with  the  bill  but  slightly  curved  upwards  and  the 
feet  partially  webbed.  The  Stilts  have  remarkably  long  legs  and 
a  straight  slender  bill  and  obtain  their  food  by  wading.  The  Black- 
winged  Stilt  (Himantopus  himantopus)  (557)  has  visited  Britain  on  many 
occasions,  and  is  widely  distributed  over  Europe,  Africa,  and  Asia. 


Family  V.  CURSORIID.E.     COURSERS. 

This  small  group  of  Plover-like  birds  inhabits  Africa  and  ranges  [Case  29. 
through  Southern  Asia  to  India  and  Ceylon.  One  species,  the  Cream- 
coloured  Courser  (Cursorius  gallicus)  (564),  breeds  in  the  Canary 
Islands  and  occasionally  wanders  to  England.  It  frequents  dry  sandy 
plains  and  deserts,  running  with  extraordinary  speed  and  rarely  taking 
wing,  though  at  times  its  flight  is  protracted.  Insects  such  as  grass- 
hoppers form  its  principal  food,  and  its  eggs,  two  in  number,  are  deposited 
on  the  bare  ground,  which  they  closely  resemble  in  colour.  An  allied 
genus  is  represented  by  the  Two-banded  Courser  (Rhinoptilus  bicinctus) 
(565).  One  of  the  most  interesting  species  is  the  Black-headed  Plover 
(Pluvianus  aegyptius}  (563),  also  known  as  the  "Crocodile-Bird." 
Like  the  Egyptian  Spur-winged  Lapwing  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  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Family  VI.  GLAREOLID^:.     PRATINCOLES. 

[Case  29.]  The  members  of  this  family  are  all  confined  to  the  Old  World,  and  in 
general  appearance  bear  little  resemblance  to  Plovers.  In  their  long 
wings,  mode  of  flight,  and  general  appearance  they  recall  the  Terns, 
while  on  account  of  their  wide  gape  and  from  the  fact  that  much  of 
their  time  is  spent  in  hawking  insects  on  the  wing  like  Swallows,  they 
were  actually  placed  with  that  group  by  Linnseus.  In  the  genus 
Glareola,  which  includes  the  Common  Pratincole  (G.  pratincola) 
(567),  the  tail  is  deeply  forked,  but  in  the  allied  genus  Galactochrysea 
(569-570)  it  is  either  emarginate  or  square.  The  Common  Pratincole 
occasionally  wanders  to  Britain  on  migration,  and  the  Black-winged 
Pratincole  (G.  melanoptera]  (568)  has  also  occurred  on  the  coast  of  Kent. 
A  remarkable  long-legged  form,  Stiltia  Isabella  (566),  has  the  first 
flight-feather  greatly  lengthened  and  attenuated  towards  the  tip. 

Family  VII.  PARIUD^:.     JACANAS. 

[Case  29.]  The  Jacanas  closely  resemble  some  of  the  Rails,  but  are  nevertheless 
more  nearly  allied  to  the  Plovers.  They  are  specially  remarkable  for 
the  great  length  of  the  toes  and  claws,  the  latter  being  enormously 
elongated.  Their  widely  spreading  but  extremely  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  with  a  spur  placed  at 
the  bend  of  the  wing,  but  in  some  this  weapon  is  long  and  very  sharp, 
while  in  others  it  is  blunt  and  much  less  developed.  Some,  such  as  the 
Australian  Jacana  (Hydraleclor  gallinaceus)  (576)  and  the  common 
South  American  species  (Jacana  jacana}  (574),  have  conspicuous  fleshy 
wattles  round  the  base  of  the  bill.  With  the  latter  species  three  very 
beautiful  nestlings  are  exhibited.  The  largest  species  is  the  Pheasant- 
tailed  Jacana  (Hy  drophasianus  chirurgus)  (577)  of  India  and  the 
countries  to  the  east,  while  the  smallest  form  is  the  little  African  species 
(Microparra  capensis)  (575). 

Family  VIII.  CEDICNEMID^E.     STONE-PLOVERS. 

[Case  29,]  The  Thick-knees,  known  also  as  Stone-Curlews  and  Stone-Plovers,  are 
allied  to  the  Plovers,  and  form  a  connecting  linff  between  them  and  the 
Bustard  with  which  they  are  here  associated.  About  twelve  species, 
grouped  in  three  genera,  are  found  throughout  the  temperate  and  tropical 
portions  of  the  Old  World  and  in  Central  and  South  America.  The 
Common  Stone-Curlew,  Thick-knee,  or  Norfolk  Plover  ((Edicnemus 
cedicnemua]  (578),  ranging  from  South  and  Central  Europe  to  N.  Africa 
and  India,  is  a  summer- visitor  to  many  parts  of  England  and  resident 


BUSTARDS.  55 

in  the  south-western  counties,  the  open  wolds  and  shingly  parts 
of  the  coast  being  its  favourite  resorts.  The  eggs,  usually  two  in 
number,  are  laid  on  the  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  (Burhinus  grallarius)  (580)  and  the  Large-billed 
Thick-knee  (Orthorhamphus  magnirostris)  (579),  which  range  from  the 
Malay  Archipelago  to  the  shores  of  Australia. 

Family  IX.  OTIDID^.     BUSTARDS.     (Plate  IX.) 

The  Bustards  are  an  Old  World  group  of  heavily-built  birds,  and  are  [Cases 
represented  by  numerous  species  presenting  great  variation  in  size.  ^9»  ' 
All  are  inhabitants  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  (Otis  tarda)  (585)  [PJ.  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  (Tetrax  tetrax]  (583)  and  the  Houbara  or  Macqueen's  Bustard 
(Houbara  macqueeni]  (589)  are  stragglers,  the  latter  having  occurred  on 
three  occasions  only.  When  courting  the  female,  the  male  of  the  Great 
Bustard  has  an  extraordinary  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  under-tail-coverts,  inner  secondary  quills,  and  wing- 
coverts  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  only  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  under-tail-coverts.  In  the  Case  in  the  centre  of  this  [Central 
bay,  the  appearance  of  the  Great  Bustard  while  engaged  in  his  love- 
display  has  been  admirably  reproduced  by  Mr.  G.  Pick  hard  t.  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  Gardens  during  the  mating-season.  It  is  not  known  whether 


56  BIRD  GALLERY. 

this  pouch  is  retained  in  adult  birds  throughout  the  year  or  developed 
afresh  each  season.  A  female  of  the  Great  Bustard  with  her  downy 
nestlings  may  be  seen  on  the  floor  of  Case  29. 

The  largest  of  all  is  the  Paauw  or  Kori  Bustard  (Eupodotis  kori}  (592), 
from  the  plains  of  Africa ;  and  among  the  forms  characterised  by  orna- 
mental plumes  on  the  crown  and  neck  we  may  draw  attention  to 
Macqueen's  Bustard  already  mentioned  above,  and  the  Lesser  Florican 
or  Likh  (Sypheotis  aurita)  (588),  which  is  further  remarkable  for  its 
acuminate  flight-feathers. 


Order  XIII.  OPISTHOCOMIFORMES. 
Family  OPISTHOCOMIDJE.     HOATZIN.     (Plate  X.) 

[Table-  The  singular  South  American  bird  known  as  the  Hoatzin  (Gpistho- 
case  in  comus  hoaziri)  (594)  is  the  only  representative  of  this  Order,  and  has 
been  referred  by  different  naturalists  to  the  Game-Birds  and  other 
groups.  In  spite  of  its  external  resemblance  to  the  Guans,  it  is  perhaps 
more  nearly  allied  to  the  Rails,  while  certain  points  of  structure  seem 
to  indicate  considerable  affinity  to  the  Cuckoos.  It  inhabits  the  banks 
of  the  Amazon  and  other  great  South  American  rivers,  extending  as  far 
south  as  Bolivia.  The  skeleton  presents  many  remarkable  modifications, 
the  sternum  being  unlike  that  of  any  other  species  of  bird.  The  keel 
is  much  reduced  and  its  posterior  termination  is  flattened-out  into  a 
broadened  surface  which  supports  the  greater  part  of  the  weight  of 
the  body  when  the  bird  is  at  rest.  The  enormous  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  odour  which 
prevents  them  being  used  as  food.  In  spite  of  their  large  wings  the 
flight  of  these  birds  is  very  feeble  and  awkward,  and  when  disturbed  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  Corn-Crake  and  other  Rails. 

Order  XIV.  GRUIFORMES.     CRANE-LIKE  BIRDS. 

This  Order  includes  the  Cranes  and  a  number  of  allied  but  some- 
what aberrant  forms.     In  general  external  appearance  they  resemble 


CRANES.  57 

the  Storks  and  Herons,  but  structurally  they  are  very  different  For 
instance,  the  nostrils  in  all  Cranes  (except  the  aberrant  Kagu)  are 
pervious,  communicating  freely  with  one  another,  and  not  separated  by 
a  bony  partition  (see  p.  14 1),  and  the  palate  is  schizognathous — that  is 
to  say,  the  maxillo-palatiue  bones  are  not  united  with  one  another  or 
with  the  vomer  (p.  145).  The  young  are  hatched  covered  with  down, 
and  are  able  to  take  care  of  themselves  soon  after  leaving  the  egg. 


Family  I.  ARAMID^E.     LIMPKINS. 

The  Limpkins  (598),  including  two  American  species,  variously  [Case  31.] 
known  as  the  Clucking  Hen,  Caran,  Courlan,  Lamenting  Bird,  or 
Crazy  Widow,  on  account  of  their  oft-repeated  piercing  cry,  are  large 
long-billed  birds  forming  a  link  between  the  Cranes  and  Rails.  Osteo- 
logically  they  are  most  nearly  related  to  the  former,  but  in  their 
external  appearance,  flight,  and  mode  of  life  they  resemble  the  latter. 
The  South-American  Limpkin  (Aramus  scolopaceus)  (598)  ranges  over 
a  large  part  of  that  continent,  frequenting  the  beds  of  streams  and 
marshes.  The  nest,  which  is  placed  among  the  rushes,  contains  ten  or 
twelve  Rail-like  eggs. 

Family  II.  RHINOCHETID^:.     KAGUS. 

The  only  representative  of  this  family  is  the  Kagu  (Rhinochetus  [Case  31.] 
jubatus)  (600),  a  native  of  New  Caledonia.  The  shape  of  the  bill  and 
crest  give  the  bird  a  Heron-like  appearance,  which  is  emphasised  by 
the  grey- coloured  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-like  dancing-powers. 

Family  III.  EURYPYGID^E.     SUN-BITTERNS.     (Plate  XI.) 

These  remarkable  Rail-like  birds  are  confined  to  Central  and  South  [Case  31.] 
America.  They  resemble  the  Kagus  in  many  points  of  structure  and 
in  being  provided  with  powder-down  patches.  Only  two  species  are 
known,  and  both  possess  remarkably  handsome  and  variegated  plumage. 
The  species  exhibited  (Eurypyga  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  the  parents 
for  some  time  before  they  can  leave  the  nest. 


58  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Family  IV.  CARIAMID.E.     CAEIAMAS.     (PL  XII.  fig.  1.) 

[Case  31.1  The  position  of  these  birds  in  the  Avian  system  has  given  rise  to  much 
discussion.  Some  authors  have  placed  them  in  the  Accipitres,  near  the 
Secretary-bird,  which  they  resemble  in  general  appearance  and  in 
certain  habits ;  but  the  most  recent  work  of  anatomists  seems  to  show 
that  their  proper  position  is  with  the  Cranes.  The  Brazilian  Cariama 
{Cariama  cristata)  (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  spotted  like  those  of  Cranes  and 
Rails.  Like  the  Secretary-birds,  it  kills  its  prey,  such  as  rats,  by 
striking  down  on  them  with  its  feet  and  reducing  them  to  pulp. 

Family  V.  PSOPHIID.E.     TRUMPETERS. 

[Case  31.]  The  Trumpeters,  an  example  of  which  will  be  found  in  the  common 
form  (Psophia  crepitans]  (595),  include  about  half  a  dozen  species,  all 
confined  to  South  America.  Their  popular  name  is  derived  from  their 
curious  trumpet-like  call,  which  is  probably  produced  by  means  of  the 
enormously  developed  trachea.  Their  favourite  haunts  are  the  moist 
forests,  where,  being  extremely  sociable  birds,  they  are  generally  met 
with  in  flocks.  The  powers  of  flight  are  small,  and  being  easily  tamed, 
they  are  often  to  be  seen  in  the  settlements  of  the  Indians  in  a  domes- 
ticated condition.  The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground,  and  the  eggs, 
unlike  those  of  the  other  members  of  the  Order,  are  white. 

Family  VI.  GRUID^E.     CRANES. 

[Cases  The  true  Cranes  are  long-necked,  long-legged,  stately  birds-,  generally 
31,  32.]  with  bright  patches  of  colour  on  the  head,  and  with  the  inner  secondary 
flight-feathers  developed  into  drooping  ornamental  plumes.  They  are 
found  in  all  parts  of  the  world  except  South  America.  The  character- 
istic cry  is  a  very  loud  trumpeting  sound,  uttered  with  the  head  thrown 
back  and  the  bill  open,  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  ag&,  and  they  are  entirely 
absent  in  very  young  birds.  In  the  Crowned  Cranes  (Balearica)  the 
windpipe  is  simple  and  does  not  enter  the  breast-bone. 

Cranes  are  gregarious,  and  during  their  migrations  travel  in  single 
file  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.  Their  peculiar  habit  of  dancing 
and  going  through  various  graceful  antics  may  be  witnessed  any  day  at 


HERONS.  59 

the  Zoological  Gardens.  Of  the  eighteen  different  species  known, 
typical  examples  will  be  found  exhibited.  Of  these  we  may  call  attention 
to  the  Common  Crane  (Grus  grus]  (601),  a  regular  summer-visitor 
to  Europe,  the  Saras  Cranes  (Antigone],  of  which  A.  sharpei  (605) 
is  common  in  Burma  and  A.  australasiana  (604)  is  well-known  in 
Australia  as  the  "  Native  Companion/'  and  the  great  African  Wattled 
Crane  (Bug  er  anus  carunculatus)  (606).  Two  very  elegant  forms  are 
the  Stanley's  Crane  (Tetrapteryx  paradisea)  (608)  and  the  Demoiselle 
(Anthropoides  virgo]  (609)  ;  but  perhaps  the  most  striking  are  the 
Crowned  Cranes  (Balearica)  (610,  611),  with  their  curious  brush-like 
crests.  The  eggs,  two  or  sometimes  three  in  number,  are  laid  in  a  more 
or  less  extensive  nest  placed  on  the  ground. 

Order  XV.  ARDEIFORMES.     HERON-TRIBE. 

The  Herons,  Storks,  and  Ibises  included  in  this  Order  differ  from  the  [Cases 

33  34  n 
Cranes  in  possessing  a  bridged  or  desmoguathous  palate  (see  p.  145), 

while  their  young  are  hatched  in  a  helpless  condition  and  have  to  be 
fed  in  the  nest  for  a  considerable  period. 

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  unsuited  for  an  arboreal  life,  they  perch 
readily  on  trees,  and  many  species  build  their  loosely-constructed  nests 
of  sticks  among  the  branches,  either  singly  or  in  colonies. 

In  flight  the  head  is  drawn  back  between  the  shoulders.  Many  of 
the  species  assume  ornamental  plumage  during  the  nesting-season, 
either  in  the  form  of  long  crest-feathers  or  elongate  plumes  on  the 
breast  or  back.  It  is  from  the  long  (t  dorsal  train"  of  the  Little  Egret 
(Garzetta  garzettd]  (642),  the  Snowy  Egret  (Garzetta  candidissima), 
and  the  American  Egret  (Herodias  eyrettd),  as  well  as  from  other 
allied  species  [see  PI.  XIII.],  that  the  ornamental  plumes  known 
among  dealers  as  "  Ospreys  "  are  procured. 

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

Family  I.  ARDEID^E.     HKRONS.      (Plates  XIII.,  XIV.) 

The  Bitterns  (Bvtawus),  of  which  examples  will  be   found  on  the  rcases 
floor  of  Case  33,  are  seldom   found   far  from   marshes  ;     their  flight    33,  34.] 
is  laboured  and  slow,  but  they  can  run  and  climb  among  the  water- 
plants    with    surprising   ease.      They   frequently    attempt    to  conceal 
themselves  by  assuming  an  upright  position  with  the  bill  held  vertically, 


60  BIRD  GALLERY. 

and  their  buff-striped  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  minuta)  (622)  [Plate  XIV.],  which  has  been  mounted 
to  illustrate  this  marvellous  instinct  of  self-preservation.  Owing  to 
the  draining  of  the  extensive  reed-swamps  and  constant  persecution 
the  Common  Bittern  (B.  stellaris)  (615)  ceased  to  breed  in  this 
country,  though  it  continued  as  a  winter-visitor  in  small  numbers. 
Now,  thanks  to  protection,  a  few  pairs  nest  annually  in  East  Anglia, 
and  its  booming  cry  is  again  to  be  heard  across  the  fens.  The 
American  Bittern  (Botaurus  lentiginosus]  (613)  is  an  occasional  visitor 
to  our  shores. 

Passing  by  the  handsome  Asiatic  Bitterns  (Dupetor]  (617),  the  Buff- 
backed  Heron  (Bubulcus  lucidus)  (621),  and  the  Squacco  Heron  (Ardeola 
ralloides)  (620),  we  come  to  the  Tiger- Bitterns  (626-628),  very  hand- 
some birds  represented  by  several  genera,  and  the  Green  Herons 
(Butorides)  (632-634),  which  form  a  connecting  link  between  the 
Bitterns  and  Herons. 

A  very  remarkable  type  with  wide,  shoe-shaped  bill  will  be  found  in 
the  Central  American  Boatbill  (Cancroma)  (629),  a  bird  of  nocturnal 
("Case  34.]  habits.  On  the  floor  of  the  next  Case  several  species  of  the  nearly 
allied  Night-Herons  (Nycticorax}  (637-639)  are  exhibited,  of  which  the 
chestnut-backed  species  are  the  most  handsome,  and  the  common  grey 
species  (N.  nycticorax}  (639)  is  an  almost  annual  visitor  to  our  shores. 
The  Reef-Herons  (Demiegretta)  (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  ccerulea)  (647) 
and  in  the  Reddish  Egret  (Dichromanassa  rufa)  (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  (Herodias  alba)  (648), 
which  ranges  over  a  large  part  of  the  Old  World.  As  already  stated,  it 
is  from  Herons  and  Egrets  [Plate  XIII.]  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  goliath)  (651), 
which,  as  its  name  implies,  is  the  giant  of  the  group ;  and,  most  familiar 
of  all,  the  Common  Heron  (A.  cinerea)  (652).  Heronries,  as  the 
colonies  of  nests  are  called,  are  found  in  many  parts  of  Great  Britain  arid 
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  during  the  autumn  and  winter,  only  returning  in  spring,  but,  if 
the  season  is  a  mild  one,  they  begin  to  lay  in  the  beginning  of  March 
or  even  earlier.  Their  appetite  is  insatiable,  and  they  destroy  large 
numbers  of  fish,  frogs,  young  water-fowl,  and  even  water-rats. 


STORKS. 


61 


The  Storks,  which  form  the  next  section  of  this  order,  include  several 
families  represented  by  some  remarkable  forms. 

Family  II.  BAL.ENICIPITID^:.     SHOE-BILLED  STORKS. 

The  Whale-headed  Stork  or  Shoe-bill  (Balaniceps  rex)  (654)  is  [Case  35.] 
certainly  the  most  striking  and  extraordinary  of  all  the  Storks.  It  is 
confined  to  the  marsh-countries  of  the  Upper  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  of 
fish  and  reptiles,  and  its  strongly  hooked  bill  seems  specially  adapted 
to  seize  and  rip  open  turtles  arid  the  mailed  fishes  with  which  the  waters 
of  Central  Africa  abound. 

Family  III.  SCOPID^:.      HAMMER-HEAD  STORKS. 

The  Hammer-head  (Scopus  umbrettd)  (655),  as  in  the  preceding  [Case  36.] 
instance,  is  the  sole  representative  of  a  distinct  family,  which  inhabits 
Madagascar  and  a  large  part  of  the  Ethiopian  Region.  It  frequents 
wooded  districts,  and  is  generally  met  with  in  pairs.  The  nesting- 
habits  are  remarkable,  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  a  cart- 
load, is  placed  either  on  a  tree  or  rock,  and  contains  from  three  to  five 
Avhite  eggs. 

Family  IV.  CICONIID^E.     STORKS. 

A  number  of  genera  are  included  in  the  true  Storks.    On  the  ground-  [Cases 
floor  of  the  Case  the  visitor  will  find  the  ungainly  and  rather  repulsive      35»  36>] 
looking  Adjutant  (Leptoptilus  dubius)  (656),  with  its  bare  pinkish-red 
head  and  neck  and  pendulous  pouch,  which  can  be  inflated  at  will  and 
is  apparently  merely  ornamental.     This  species  and  its  two  close  allies 
all  possess  the  beautiful  soft  under  tail-coverts  known  as  "  Marabou  " 
feathers,  which  are  in  demand  for  purposes  of  millinery.     In  India  this 
bird  is  protected  on  account  of  its  utility  as  a  scavenger,  and  may  often 
be  seen  in  the  streets  of  the  towns,  devouring  carrion  and  fearless  alike 
of  man  and  dog. 

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


62  BIRD  GALLERY. 

the  Hammer-head,  and  may  thus  always  be  distinguished  on  the  wing 
from  Herons.  Many  of  the  species  are  migratory,  the  common  White 
Stork  being  a  summer-visitor  to  Europe,  where  it  is  carefully  protected 
and  encouraged  to  build  its  nests  on  the  houses  and  in  the  gardens. 

A  very  large  and  striking  species  is  the  Saddle-billed  Stork  (Ephippio- 
rhynchus  senegalensis]  (659),  which  inhabits  Tropical  Africa;  and  no 
less  handsome  in  their  way  are  the  Black-necked  Jabiru  (Xenorhyn- 
chus)  (660)  and  its  American  ally  (Mycteria]  (661).  The  Open-billed 
or  Shell-Storks  (Anastomus)  (664,  665)  are  remarkable  for  their  nut- 
cracker-like bill,  so  well  adapted  for  breaking  open  molluscs,  which 
form  their  principal  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  microscelis]  (663),  with 
its  curiously  deeply-forked  tail,  and  the  White-bellied  Stork  (Abdimia 
aldimii]  (662),  which  looks  like  a  miniature  Black  Stork,  we  come  last 
[Case  35.1  to  the  Wrood-Ibises,  a  somewhat  isolated  group,  of  which  an  example 
will  be  found  in  the  beautiful  African  species  (Pseudotantalus  ibis) 
(668),  with  its  striking  white,  black,  and  dull  crimson  plumage. 


Family  V.  IBIDID^.     IBISES. 

The  Ibises  are  numerously  represented,  and  all  may  be  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  Glos:sy  Ibis  (Plegadis  falcinellus]  (669)  is  of 
special  interest,  having  visited  Great  Britain  on  many  occasions;  and 
other  striking  forms  will  be  found  in  the  Giant  Ibis  (Thaumatibis} 
(670)  from  Cochin  China,  the  crested  Madagascar  genus  (Lophotibis) 
(671),  the  African  Hadadah  Ibis  (Hagedashia]  (675),  the  Wattled  Ibis 
(Eostrychia)  (674),  and  the  curious  straw-necked  Australian  form  (Car- 
phibis)  (677).  The  most  interesting  of  all  is,  however,  the  Sacred  Ibis 
(Ibis  tethiopica)  (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  VI.  PLATALEID.E.     SPOONBILLS. 

The  Spoonbills,  represented  by  three  genera  and  several  species,  are 
at  once  distinguished  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  (Ajaja]  (679),  and  another  striking 
bird  is  the  allied  Australian  form  (Platibis)  (680)  ;  but  the  most  familiar 
is  the  common  species  (Platalea  leucerodia)  (682),  which  once  bred 


DUCKS.  63 

regularly  in  England,  but  is  now  only  a  straggler  to  our  shores.  Like 
its  allies,  it  almost  always  breeds  in  colonies  ;  the  nest,  a  mass  of  twigs, 
flags,  or  sticks,  is  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.  ANSERI FORMES.     DUCK-TRIBE. 
Family  ANATID^E.     MERGANSERS,  DUCKS,  GEESE  &  SWANS. 

The  cosmopolitan  family  Anatidcs,  which  alone  comprises  this  Order,   [Cases 

includes  the  Mergansers.  Ducks,  Geese  and  Swans.     They  are  all  easily  3^7^ 

.  J  J    &  Central 

recognised  by  their  external  characters,  such  as  the  flattened  or  partially  Case.] 

flattened  bill,  short  legs  and  fully  webbed  toes,  which  distinguish  them 
from  the  Screamers  and  Flamingoes.  The  majority  of  the  species  find 
their  food  under  the  water,  which  is  drained  away  between  the  lamellfe 
with  which  the  edges  of  the  soft-skinned  bill  are  provided,  and  which 
act  like  a  sieve  in  retaining  the  substances  or  animalcules  fit  for  food. 
In  the  Geese  these  lamellae  are  harder  and  adapted  for  cutting  grass, 
while  in  the  Mergansers  they  are  recurved  to  prevent  the  captured  fish 
from  escaping. 

A  curious  feature  about  many  of  the  Duck's,  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  the  visitor  will  find  various  species  [Case  37.1 
of  "  Saw- bills/'  as  the  genus  Merganser  and  its  allies  are  commonly 
called.  The  Red-breasted  Merganser  (M.  serrator)  (684),  the  Goosander 
(M.  castor]  (685),  and  the  beautiful  Smew  (Mergus  albellus)  (686)  are 
all  three  British  species,  the  first  two  breeding  in  the  north  of  Scotland. 
The  Merganser  is  much  the  commonest  and  is  particularly  hated 
by  fishermen  on  account  of  the  enormous  numbers  of  fish  it  catches, 
including  small  trout  and  salmon-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  Merganser   or 


64  BIRD    GALLERY. 

Torrent-Duck  (M.  armatd)  (688),  frequents  the  high  mountain  torrents 
of  the  Andes,  and  forms  a  link  between  the  true  Mergansers  and  the 
stiff-tailed  Diving-Ducks,  but  differs  from  the  former  in  having  no  teeth 
on  the  edges  of  the  mandibles  and  in  having  the  bend  of  the  wing  armed 
with  a  strong  spur.  The  New  Zealand  Soft-billed  Duck  (Hymenolamus 
malacorhynchus)  (689)  is  worthy  of  special  notice  on  account  of  its 
remarkable  bill  with  a  dependent  membrane,  suited  for  the  capture  of 
insect  larvae  on  which  it  principally  feeds. 

[Case  37.]  The  Stiff-tailed  Ducks,  so-called  from  their  rather  long,  narrow,  rigid 
tail-feathers  which  are  often  carried  erect  when  the  bird  is  swimming, 
include  several  genera  of  which  representatives  will  be  found  in  the 
White-headed  and  Australian  species  of  Erismatura  (690,  691), 
the  American  Masked  form  (Nomonyx)  (693),  and  the  Musk-Duck 
(Biziura  lobata]  (692).  The  latter,  whose  name  is  derived  from  the 
strong  musky  odour  of  the  sitting  female,  frequents  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.  The  appendage  opens  under  the  tongue  and  is  largest 
in  the  male,  giving  the  bird  a  very  peculiar  appearance.  Like  its 
allies  it  is  an  expert  diver  and  can  remain  for  a  long  time  submerged. 
It  seldom,  if  ever,  flies  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- 
coloured  eggs. 

Of  Sea-Ducks  we  may  first  mention  the  Eiders,  which  are  all  in- 
habitants of  northern  waters,  and  are  represented  by  S teller's  Eider 
(Heniconetta  stelleri]  (694)  and  the  King-  and  Common  Eiders  (Somateria 
spectabilis  (695)  and  S.  mollissima  (696)),  all  of  which  are  included  in 
the  British  List.  Their  nests  supply  the  "  Eider  down  "  which  forms  an 
important  article  of  export  in  countries  such  as  Norway,  where  the 
common  species  is  protected  by  law  and  consequently  exceedingly 
numerous.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  series  exhibited  shows  the 

[Case  37.1  changes  from  summer-  to  winter-plumage  in  both  the  old  and  young 
drakes,  the  le eclipse"  or  intermediate  autumn-plumage  being  specially 
interesting. 

[Case  38.]  The  South-American  Rosy-billed  Duck  (Metopiana)  (697)  is  often 
kept  on  ornamental  waters  in  this  country.  .  The  Pochards  (Netta 
and  Nyroca)  include  the  Red-crested  (698)  and  Ferruginous  (701) 
species,  both  of  which  occur  in  Great  Britain  as  occasional  stragglers,  as 
well  as  the  Common  Pochard  (699)  and  the  Canvas-Back  (700)  from 
North  America,  famous  for  its  excellent  qualities  as  a  bird  for  the  table. 
The  Tufted  Duck  (Fuligula)  (703)  breeds  plentifully  on  the  lochs  and 
ponds  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  is  easily  recognised  by  the 
long  drooping  occipital  crest  developed  in  both  sexes  ;  the  Scaup 


DUCKS.  65 

(704),  belonging  to  the  same  genus,  has  been  proved  to  breed 
occasionally  in  the  north  of  Scotland.  The  drakes  of  both  the 
Golden-eye  (706)  and  Buffel-headed  (707)  Ducks  (Clangula)  are  very 
handsome  black-and-white  forms  and  these  species  are  included  in  the 
list  of  British  Birds,  the  former  being  a  regular  winter-visitor,  but  the 
latter  only  a  rare  North  American  straggler.  Another  common  winter- 
visitor  to  our  coasts,  the  Long-tailed  Duck  (Harelda)  (708),  is  said  to 
breed  occasionally  in  the  Shetlands,  but  the  remarkably  handsome 
Harlequin  (709),  which  is  placed  next  to  it,  is  only  an  accidental 
straggler  from  the  north. 

The  Scoters  (CEdemia),  of  which  three  species  are  exhibited,  are  all  [Case  38.] 
British  Sea-ducks.  The  males  are  easily  recognised  by  their  black 
plumage,  the  common  species  (CE.  nigra)  (710)  being  numerous 
on  our  coasts,  especially  in  winter.  Lastly  we  come  to  the  large 
Steamer  or  Logger-head  Duck  (Tachyeres)  (713),  from  the  coasts  of 
Chile  and  the  Falkland  Islands  ;  only  the  young  birds  are  able  to 
fly,  the  adults  losing  the  power  of  doing  so. 

Passing  by  the  curiously  marked  Freckled  Duck  (Stictonetta)  (715)  [Case  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- 
some Cinnamon- Teal  (Qmrquedula  cyanoptera)  (717).  The  Gar- 
ganey  (Q.  circid)  (719),  the  Blue-winged  (Q.  discors)  (718),  and  the 
American  Teal  (Nettion  carolinense)  (724)  are  all  on  the  British  List, 
but  the  last  two  only  appear  as  accidental  visitors.  Closely  resembling 
the  last  we  have  the  Common  Teal  (N.  crecca]  (725),  and  may 
draw  attention  in  passing  to  the  drake  exhibited  in  complete  "eclipse- 
plumage  "  like  that  of  the  female.  The  most  beautiful  member  of  the 
genus  is,  however,  undoubtedly  the  Baikal  Teal  (JV.  formosum)  (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.  [^ase  «*•] 
The  Spotted-billed  Duck  (A.  pcecilorhyncha)  (732)  is  a  familiar  Indian 
species,  and  one  of  the  most  striking  is  the  Crested  Duck  (A  cristatd) 

(734)  from  South  America.     The  Wild  Duck  or  M'allard  (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  [Case  40.] 
formed  bills  specially  adapted  for  retaining  small  shells,  insects,  and 
vegetable  matter.  The  Shovelers  (Spatula)  (737  &  738)  include 
four  species,  two  of  which  are  exhibited,  and  the  so-called  Pink-eved 
Duck  (Malacorhynchus  membranaceus)  (739),  which  has  a  patch  of  pink 
feathers  behind  the  eye.  The  Common  Shoveler  (S.  dypeata)  (738) 

P 


66  BIRD    GALLERY. 

breeds  in  many  parts  of  Great  Britain,  and  has  greatly  increased  since 
the  Act  for  the  Preservation  of  Wild  Fowls  was  passed  in  1876. 

A  rare  and  all  but  extinct  form  is  the  Flightless  Duck  (Nesonetta 
aucklandica)  (740).,  from  the  Auckland  Islands,  to  the  South  of  New 
Zealand . 

The  Pintail  (Dafila  acuta)  (742)  and  the  Gadwall  (Chaulelasmus 
streperus)  (743)  both  breed  in  Great  Britain,  but  are  very  local;  males 
of  both  these  species  in  "eclipse-plumage"  resembling  that  of  the  female 
are  exhibited. 

Next  come  the  Wigeons  (Mareca),  of  which  the  typical  species  (M. 
penelope)  (745)  is  one  of  the  commonest  British  Ducks,  while  the 
American  Wigeon  (M.  americana)  (746)  occasionally  visits  our  coasts  as 
a  straggler  from  North  America. 

[Case 40.]  The  Sheld-Ducks  (Tadorna  and  Casarca)  are  represented  by  various 
handsome  species,  but  none  more  strikingly  so  than  the  common  species 
T.  cornuta  (750),  which  is  an  abundant  resident  on  our  coasts.  The 
female  scarcely  differs  from  the  male  in  plumage,  the  markings  being 
only  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  the  genus 
is  the  remarkable  looking  Australian  form  (T.  radjaK}  (751).  Of  the 
genus  Casarca  the  most  farnilar  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  Dendroci/cna  includes  the  Tree-Ducks,  mostly  birds  of  chestnut 
or  brown  plumage.  They  are  remarkable  for  their  long  hind  toe,  and 
habitually  perch  on  trees,  placing  their  nest,  which  contains  from  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.  viduata  (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  (Chenalopex  cegyptiaca)  (755). 

[Case  41.]  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  in  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  Lesser 
White-fronted  (Anser  erythropus)  (759  a),  and  the  Snow-Goose  (Chen 
hyperboreus)  (761),  a  North  American  species,  sometimes  occur  in  very 
severe  weather.  The  Bernacle-Goose  (Branta  leucopsis)  (763)  is  another 


DUCKS. 


67 


regular  visitor,  being  more  numerous  along  our  western  shores,  and  its 
handsome  red-breasted  ally  (B.  ruficollis]  (765)  very  rarely  wanders  as 
far  west  as  Great  Britain.  The  commonest  species  that  visits  us  is 
undoubtedly  the  Brent-Goose  (Branta  bernicla]  (764),  which  is  specially 
numerous  along  the  east  coast  and  may  sometimes  be  seen  in  almost 
countless  multitudes.  The  two  forms  of  this  bird  are  exhibited ;  the  one 
having  the  underparts  pale  whitish-grey,  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  two 
centuries  been  domesticated  in  this  country. 

The  Emperor-Goose  (Philacte)  (766)  and  the  Sandwich  Island  Goose  [Case  41.] 
(Nesocheri)  (767)  are  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  Upland-Goose 
and  its  allies  (Chloephaga)  (768-770),  the  Abyssinian  Dwarf-Goose 
(Cyanochen)  (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  Anatidae  includes  the  Spur- winged  Geese  [Case  42.] 
(Plectropterus),  represented  by  the  N.E.  African  form  P.ruppelli  (773), 
characterised" by  its  high  frontal  knob,  and  the  Muscovy  Duck  (Cairina 
moschata]  (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 
Black-backed  Goose  (Sarcidiornis  melanonota)  (775),  the  bill  of  the  male 
being  ornamented  with  a  fleshy  comb  which  is  about  2  inches  high  in 
the  breeding-season.  Both  these  and  the  Muscovy  Ducks  (774)  nest  in 
hollow  trees. 

The  White-winged  Wood-Duck  (Asacornis  scutulatd)  (776)  and  the  [Case  42.] 
Pink-headed  Duck  (Rhodonessa  caryophyllacea)  (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  (Nettopus)  (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  dEx.  With  the  full-plumaged  male  of  the  former 
will  be  found  another  example  in  complete  "  eclipse-plumage  "  like  that 
of  the  female. 

The  Black-and-White  Goose  (Anseranas  semipalmatus]  (783)  is  the 


68  BIRD  GALLERY. 

representative  of  a  distinct  subfamily,  with  the  toes  only  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  (Cereopsis  novae,  hollandice)  (784)  from  South-east 
Australia  and  Tasmania. 

[Central  In  the  large  central  Case  in  the  middle  of  the  Gallery  will  be  found 
Case.]  tjje  gwans^  which  constitute  the  last  subfamily,  Cygnince.  Three  species 
visit  the  British  Islands,  viz.  the  Mute  or  Polish  Swan  (Cygnusolor)  (785), 
commonly  seen  on  ornamental  waters,  the  Whooper  and  Bewick's  Swans 
(C.  musicus  (787)  and  C.  bewicki  (788)).  Other  forms  exhibited  are 
the  North- American  Trumpeter- Swan  (C.  buccinator)  (786),  the 
South-American  Black-necked  Swan  (C.  melancoryphus)  (790),  and, 
most  graceful  of  all,  the  Australian  Black  Swan  (Ckenopsis  atrata)  (789), 
which  may  be  seen  with  its  cygnets  in  the  middle  of  winter  on  the 
ornamental  waters  in  the  London  Parks.  Lastly  the  Coscoroba 
Swan  (Coscoroba  Candida)  (791),  from  the  southern  parts  of  South 
America,  which  forms  a  connecting  link  between  the  Swans  and 
Geese. 


Order  XVII.  PHCENICOPTERIFORMES. 

Family  PHCENICOPTERID^;.     FLAMINGOES.    *. 

r  ,  .„  The  Flamingoes,  with  their  enormously  long  neck  and  legs  and  curious 
and  decurved  bill  specially  adapted  for  sifting  their  food,  are  so  familiar  that 
Central  they  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  (Phoenicopterus  roseus)  (792).  This  bird  is  a 
migrant  to  Southern  Europe  and  a  rare  straggler  to  Britain  during  the 
summer.  It  usually  frequents  the  brackish  and  salt-water  marshes  near 
the  sta-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  Central  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  long  necks  gracefully  curled  away 
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 
(P.  rnber)  (793)  from  Tropical  America,  and  the  Small  Flamingo 
(Phceniconaias  minor)  (794),  which  ranges  from  Africa  to  India. 


SCREAMERS. PELICANS.  69 

Order  XVIII.  PALAMEDEIFORMES. 

Family  PALAMEDEID.E.     SCREAMERS. 

This  Order  includes  only  three  species  referable  to  two  genera,  which,  [cage  42.1 
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  laminae  or  tooth-like  processes  on  the  sides,  and  the  long 
toes  are  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  (Chauna  chavaria)  (795),  a  heavy 
looking  bird  with  the  wing  strongly  armed  with  a  couple  of  powerful 
spurs.  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  are  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  Steganopodes,  are  character-  [Cases 
ised  by  having  the  hind  toe  united  to  the  second  toe  by  a  web,  so  that    43,44.] 
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. 

Family  I.  PHALACROCORACID.E.     DARTERS  AND  CORMORANTS. 

The  four  species  of  Darters  or  Snake-birds  (Plotus)  (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  vertebrae  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 


70  BIRD  GALLERY. 

with  lightning  speed  and  unerring  aim,  and  the  prey  is  transfixed  in  a 
moment.  The  bird  then  rises  to  the  surface,  and  jerking  the  fish  into 
the  air  dexterously  catches  and  swallows  it.  The  flight  is  laboured,  but 
in  the  water  they  are  perfectly  at  ease,  swimming  with  only  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 
in  company  with  many  others.  The  eggs  are  from  two  to  five  in 
number,  chalky  greenish-blue,  and  much  like  those  of  Cormorants  but 
smaller. 

[Case  43.]  About  forty  species  of  Cormorants  (Phalacrocorax]  (800-806)  are 
known,  distributed  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.  carbo]  (800)  and  the  Green  Cormorant  or  Shag 
(P.  graculus)  (801).  The  ornamental  white  plumes  on  the  head  and 
neck  of  the  former  and  the  crest  on  the  latter  are  only  assumed  during 
the  breeding-season  and  are  afterwards  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  or 
less  glossed  with  purplish,  blue,  or  green.  A  number  of  very  handsome 

[Case  43.]  white-breasted  species  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.  albiventer] 
(802) ;  and  two  handsome  little  species  from  New  Zealand  and  Australia, 
the  Frilled  and  White-throated  Cormorants  (P.  melanoleucus  (805)  and 
P.  brevirostris  (806)),  are  also  exhibited. 

Family  II.  SULID^E.     GANNETS. 

[Case  43.]  The  Gannets  or  Boobies  (Sula)  (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  on  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  Lundy  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 


PELICANS.  7l 

the  eggs  have  a  pale  blue  shell  overlaid  with  a  chalky  white  coating. 
The  closely  allied  Australian  species  (S.  serrator)  808),  also  exhi- 
bited, differs  in  having  the  two  middle  pairs  of  tail-feathers  black.  A 
more  slender  and  widely  distributed  form  is  the  Red-footed  Gannet 
(8.  piscator]  (809) ;  and  a  different  type  is  shown  in  the  Brown 
Gannet  or  Booby  (S.  sula)  (810),  which  has  an  almost  cosmopolitan 
distribution. 

Family  III.  PELECANID^E.     PELICANS. 

Pelicans  (Pelecanus)  (811-815)  are  so  extraordinary  in  their  appear-  [Case  44.] 
ance  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  known  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  congregate  in  great  numbers. 

In  spite  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  beneath  the  tail,  fly  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  White  Pelican  (P.  onocrotalus)  (811)  is  the 
most  familiar,  and  in  former  times  was  a  native  of  Great  Britain.  The 
Dalmatian  Pelican  (P.  crispus)  (812)  is  the  largest  of  all  and  has  a  [Case  44. j 
curious  crest  of  loose  curled  feathers,  and  the  handsome  Brown  Pelican 
(P.fuscus]  (815)  is  the  smallest.  The  Australian  form  (P.  conspicil- 
latus)  (813)  has  a  bare  space  round  the  eye  enclosed  by  a  ring  of  feathers. 

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

Family  IV.  FREGATID^!.     FRIGATE-BIRDS. 

This  family  is  represented  by  two  species  only,  which  are  exhibited  in   ^Case  44*^ 
the  Case.      Both  the  Greater  Frigate-Bird  or  Man-of-war  Bird  (Freqata 
aquila)  (816)  and  the  Lesser  Frigate-Bird   (F.  arid]  (817)  inhabit  the 


72  BIRD  GALLERY. 

intertropical  oceans,  and  in  outward  appearance,  as  well  as  in  habits, 
resemble  some  of  the  lower  Birds  of  Prey,  such  as  Kites.  Their  strongly 
hooked  bill,  large  gular  pouch,  very  short  legs  feathered  to  the  toes 
which  are  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  employ  their 
great  speed  to  overtake  and  rob  the  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  their  own  species.  The  nest  is  made  of  sticks  and 
placed  in  trees  or  bushes,  sometimes  on  the  bare  rocks.  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^;.     TROPIC-BIRDS. 

TCase  44 1  Only  six  species  of  Tropic-  or  Boats  wain- Bird  (Phaethon)  (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-pointed  bill  serrated  along  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  land  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  night  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 
streamers,  while  the  Fulvous  Tropic- Bird  (P.fulvus)  (820)  from  the 
Indian  Ocean  is  another  remarkable  form. 

Order  XX.  CATHARTIFORMES. 
Family  CATHARTID^;.     TURKEY-VULTURES. 

Case  45.]  These  aberrant  Birds  of  Prey  are  found  only  in  America.  In  their 
habits  they  closely  resemble  the  Vultures  of  the  Old  World,  but  they 
differ  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  (p.  144,  fig.  9). 


VULTURES.  73 

Chief  of  the  New  World  Vultures  is  the  gigantic  Condor  of  the  [Table- 
Andes  (Sarcorhamphus  gryphus)  (824),  exhibited  in  one  of  the  central  case-J 
Cases  in  the  Bay.  It  is  one  of  the  largest  living  birds,  the  expanse  of 
the  wings  in  some  examples  attaining  to  nine  feet  or  more,  as  may  be 
seen  by  an  inspection  of  the  fine  adult  male  mounted  with  its  wings 
partially  expanded.  Other  remarkable  birds  of  this  group  (Case  45)  are 
the  California!!  Vulture  (Pseudogryphus  californianus)  (825),  now  only 
found  in  Southern  and  Lower  California,  but  formerly  extending  much 
farther  north  to  British  Columbia  ;  the  King-Vulture  (Gypagus  papa) 
(826),  with  its  brilliantly  coloured  bare  face  ;  and  the  Black  Turkey- 
Vulture  (Catharistes  urulu)  (827)  and  its  allies,  common  in  the  towns 
and  villages  from  the  Southern  United  States  southwards.  These  latter 
when  not  molested  become  remarkably  tame  and  fearless,  walking  about 
the  streets  in  search  of  carrion. 


Order  XXI.  SERPENTARIIFORMES. 
Family  SERPENTARIID^E.     SECRETARY-BIRDS.     (Plate  XII.  fig.  2.) 

This  remarkable  group  of  the  Birds  of  Prey  includes  only  two  African  [Case  45.] 
species  belonging  to  the  genus  Serpentarius ;  S.  serpentarius  (828) 
being  confined  to  the  southern  and  eastern  parts  of  that  Continent, 
while  S.  gambiensis  ranges  from  Senegambia  to  Southern  Abyssinia. 
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- 
pens  an  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  are  greatly  elongate.  These  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  occasionally  by  carrying  them  aloft  and  dropping 
them.  The  huge  nest  of  sticks  etc.  is  placed  in  a  bush  or  tree,  and  the 
two  or  three  eggs  are  white  with  rusty  markings. 

Order  XXII.  ACCIPITRI FORMES. 
VULTURES,  HAWKS,  AND  OSPREYS. 

This  Order  includes  all  the  remaining  Birds  of  Prey,  characterised  by   [Cases 
their  short,  strong,  sharp-edged  beak,  with  the  upper  mandible  curved      45-53.] 
downwards  and  terminating  in  a  pointed  hook,  and  by  having  all  four 


74  BIRD  GALLERY. 

toes  armed  with  strong  curved  claws.  By  means  of  these  powerful 
weapons  they  are  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 
(Vulturidee),  the  second  the  Eagles  and  Hawks  (Falconidee),  and  the 
third  the  Ospreys  (Pandionidcs). 

Family  I.  VULTURID^E.     VULTURES. 

rr  These  Birds  of  Prey  inhabit  the  tropical  and  subtropical  portions  of 

45,  46,  the  Old  World,  where  they  represent  the  Turkey- Vultures  (Cathartida} 

T  *°d  of  America.     As  has  already  been  mentioned  above,  they  differ  from  the 

case.]  latter  birds  in  many  important  particulars,  but  in  their  habits  they  are 

very  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 

proved  by  experiments.     Their   claws    being   short  and  rather  blunt, 

Vultures   rarely   attack   and   kill  living   animals  ;  they  are    cowardly 

sluggish  birds,  endowed  with  extraordinary  powers  of  flight. 

[Case  45,]       The  Cinereous  or  Black  Vulture  (V.  monachus)    (829),  ranging  from 
Southern  Europe  to  China,   is  the  only  representative  of  the  genus 
Vultur.     It  is  rather  solitary  in  its  habits,  breeding  singly  in  trees  and 
rTable-  no*  *n  c°l°n^es  ^6  tne  Griffon-Vultures  (Gyps  fulvus)  (830),  all  stages 
case.]  of  which,  from  the  nestling  to  the  adult,  will  be  found  exhibited  in  the 
adjoining  Central  Case.     This  southern  European  species  is  one  of  the 
most  familiar,  and  is  specially  numerous  in   Spain,  where   it  breeds 
[Case  45.]  in  caves  in  the  perpendicular  crags  of  the  Sierras.     Another  represen- 
tative of  the  genus  is  the  Himalayan  Griffon- Vulture  (G.  himalayensis) 
(831).     A  closely  allied  form,  the  White-headed  Vulture   (Lophogyps 
occipitalis)  (832) ,  will  be  found  on  the  floor  of  the  next  Case,  together 
'-'  with  the  Sociable  or  Eared  Vulture  (Otogyps  auricularis)  (833)  and  the 
Egyptian  Vulture   (Neophron  percnopterus]    (834),  which  has  on  more 
than  one  occasion  wandered  to  Great  Britain. 

Family  II.  FALCONID^E.    EAGLES  AND  HAWKS. 
(Plates  XV.,  XVI.,  XXV.) 

ICase  46  1  Almost  all  the  remaining  Birds  of  Prey  are  included  in  this  family, 
and  are  divided  into  six  subfamilies,  the  Caracaras  (Polyborince) ,  the 
Long-legged  Hawks  (Accipitrinae) ,  the  Buzzards  (Buteonince) ,  the 
Bearded  Vultures  (Gypaetince) ,  the  Eagles  (Aquilin<e} ,  and  the  Falcons 


HAWKS.  75 

(Falconirue) .  The  Carrion-Hawks  or  Caracaras  are  represented  by  the 
three  American  genera  Polyborus  (835  &  836),  Ibycter  (837  &  838), 
and  Milvago  (839),  which  differ  from  all  the  other  subfamilies  in  having 
the  inner  as  well  as  the  outer  toes  united  to  the  middle  one  by  a  web. 
The  brightly  coloured  naked  skin  of  the  cheeks  and  throat  gives  them 
a  very  Vulturine  appearance,  and  their  food  consists  largely  of  carrion 
supplemented  by  birds,  reptiles,  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 
marshy  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  (Accipitrina]  is  the  curious  [Case  46.] 
Banded  Gymnogene  (Polybor aides  typicus]  (840),  from  tropical  Africa, 
which  feeds  almost  entirely  on  lizards  and  frogs.  Next  come  the 
Harriers  (Circus),  of  which  a  good  many  different  species  are  known 
and  easily  recognised  by  their  long  slim  form  and  the  curious  facial 
ruff,  which  gives  them  a  superficial  resemblance  to  the  Owls.  Three 
species,  the  Hen-Harrier  (841),  Montagu's  Harrier  (842),  and  the 
Marsh-Harrier  or  Moor-Buzzard  (844),  are  found  in  Great  Britain,  but 
owing  to  their  well-known  partiality  for  eggs  and  young  birds  their 
numbers  have  been  greatly  diminished.  All  make  their  nest  on  the 
ground  and  lay  white  eggs.  Other  allied  genera  represented  are  the 
Harrier-Hawks  (Micrastur]  (846  &  847)  from  S.  America,  and  the 
Black  Goshawk  (Geranospizias  niger]  (845). 

The  One- banded  Buzzard  (Parabuteo)  (849)  and  the  Chanting  Gos-  [Case  47.] 
hawk  (Melierax)  (850)  require  no  special  remark,  but  the  latter  is 
said  to  utter  a  mellow  piping  song.  Of  the  true  Goshawks  (Astur], 
of  which  many  species  are  known,  attention  may  be  drawn  to  the 
remarkable  white  Australian  species  (A.  novce-hollandiee]  (851),  the 
Common  Goshawk  (A.  palumbarius)  (857),  which  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.  atricapillus)  (853).  A  somewhat  different  Crested  Goshawk  will  be 
found  in  A.  trivirgatus  (860).  Closely  allied  to  these,  but  distinguished 
by  the  longer,  more  slender  legs  and  feet  and  the  very  long  middle  toe, 
the  Sparrow-Hawks  (Accipiter)  are  represented  by  the  common  species  rcase47.] 
(A.  nisus]  (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  by  falconers.  The 
smallest  member  of  the  genus  is  the  Little  Sparrow-Hawk  (A.  minullus) 
(865)  from  South  Africa,  and  one  of  the  largest  is  Cooper's  (A.  cooperi) 
(862)  from  temperate  North  America.  After  the  rare  Radiated 


76  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Goshawk  (Erythrotriorchis  radiatus)  (867),  the  Brown  Buzzard  (Hetero- 
spizias  meridionalis]  (868),  and  the  Long- winged  Buzzard  (Tachytriorchis 
albicaudatus]  (869),  we  come  to  the  true  Buzzards  (Buteo},  which 
somewhat  resemble  small  Eagles  in  their  flight  and  habits,  preying 
on  the  smaller  mammals  such  as  rabbits,  rats,  and  mice,  as  well  as 
reptiles  and  insects.  They  do  not  capture  their  prey  on  the  wing,  and 
consequently  seldom  kill  birds  except  young  poultry.  They  must  be 
regarded  as  useful  birds  to  both  farmer  and  agriculturist.  A  very 
handsome  species  is  the  Red-backed  Buzzard  (B.  erythronotus)  (870) 

[Case  48 1  fr°m  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  exhibited  on  the  lowest  shelf  of  the  Case,  the  plumage  varies 
greatly,  some  old  birds  being  almost  uniform  dark  brown  above  and 
below.  A  large  South  American  form  will  be  found  in  the  Giant 
Buzzard  (Geranoaetus  melanoleucus)  (876). 

[Case  48.1  Next  come  the  Buzzard-Hawks  of  America  represented  by  several 
genera,  Buteola  (877),  Asturina  (878),  and  Rupornis  (879),  and  the  very 
handsome  black-and-white  species  such  as  the  White-spotted  Buzzard 
(Leucopternis  melanops)  (88 1 ) . 

The  Harpies  include  six  very  large  powerful  species  placed  in  five 
genera,  of  which  four  are  represented  in  the  Case.  The  Crowned  Harpy 
(Harpyhaliaetus  coronatus)  (884),  the  Guiana  Crested  Harpy  (Morphnus 
guianensis}  (885),  and  the  true  Harpy  (Thrasaetus  harpyid)  (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  the  Birds  of  Prey.  It  feeds 
chiefly  on  mammals,  including  fawns,  monkeys,  foxes,  and  moderate 
sized  pigs.  An  allied  form,  Harpy  opsis  novae-guinea  (887),  found  in 
New  Guinea,  has  the  general  appearance  of  a  great  Goshawk  and  is 
said  to  prey  on  Tree-Wallabies.  The  sixth  species  is  the  great  Monkey- 
eating  Eagle  (Pithecophagajefferyi)  (887 a)  from  the  Philippine  Islands. 

[Case  48.]  The  Bearded  Vultures  or  Lammergeiers  (888)  form  the  next  sub- 
family Gypaetinee,  which  includes  two  very  large  species,  one  found 
from  South  Europe  to  the  Himalaya  and  the  other  in  Africa. 
They  are  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. 


EAGLES.  77 

The  Eagles  (Aquilinai)  are  divided  into  two  sections.  The  first,  with  [Case  49.] 
the  legs  feathered  to  the  toes,  includes  some  of  the  best  known  Birds 
of  Prey  such  as  the  Golden  Eagle  (Aquila  chrysaetus)  (890);  ranging  over 
Europe,  N.  Asia,  and  N.  America,  the  Imperial  Eagle  (A.  heliaca)  (891), 
and  its  Spanish  ally  (A.  adalberti)  (893),  the  Spotted  Eagle  (A.  maculata) 
(892),  Verreaux's  Eagle  (A.  verreauxi]  (894),  and  the  Great  Wedge-tailed 
Eagle  of  Australia  (Uroaetus  audax)  (895),  which  forms  a  connecting 
link  between  the  true  Eagles  and  the  Lammergeiers.  The  Golden  Eagle 
still  breeds  in  some  numbers  in  the  highlands  of  Scotland  and  in  Ireland, 
and  the  Spotted  Eagle  is  an  occasional  straggler  to  our  shores.  The 
immature  Golden  Eagle  has  a  large  amount  of  white  on  the  basal  half  of 
the  tail-feathers,  and  is  often  mistaken  for  the  young  of  the  Sea-Eagle, 
a  very  different  species  [see  Case  51]. 

Next  in  order  come  the  Rough-legged  Buzzards,  or  Buzzard-Eagles  as  [Case  50.] 
they  have  been  called  (Archibuteo) ,  represented  by  A.  lagopus  (896), 
which  ranges  over  Europe  and  Siberia  to  Alaska,  and  its  N.  American  ally 
(A.  sancti-johannis)  (897),  the  former  being  a  fairly  common  autumn- 
visitor  to  Great  Britain.  The  Rufous-bellied  Hawk-Eagle  (Lopho- 
triorchis  kieneri)  (898)  is  a  remarkably  handsome  crested  form  from 
India  and  the  Indo-Malayan  countries,  and  it  is  interesting  to  note  that 
another  species  of  the  genus  is  a  native  of  North-western  South  America. 

The  Booted  Eagle  (Eutolmaetus  pennatus)  (899)  and  Bonelli's  Eagle 
(E.  fasciatus)  (900),  both  from  Southern  Europe  and  India,  are  well- 
known  birds ;  and  a  very  striking  African  ally,  the  Black-crested  Eagle 
(Lophoaetus  occipitalis)  (901),  is  also  shown.  The  Bird-nesting  Eagle 
(Ictinuetus  malayensis]  (902),  inhabiting  the  Indo-Malayan  countries, 
spends  most  of  its  time  on  the  wing  hunting  for  nests  and  lives  entirely 
on  eggs  and  young  birds.  It  not  infrequently  carries  off  nest  and  all 
in  its  talons,  and  examines  the  contents  as  it  sails  lazily  away. 

Other  allies  are  the  Hawk-Eagles  (Spizaetus  and  Spiziastur]  (903-  [Case  50.] 
907),  represented  by  four  species,  of  which  the  finest  is  undoubtedly  the 
magnificent  Crowned  species  (S.  coronatus)  (904)  from  Tropical  Africa. 
All  the  remainder  of  the  Aquifinee  belong  to  the  bare-legged  section  with 
the  tarsus  unfeathered.  The  African  Buzzard-Eagle  (Asturinula  mono- 
grammica)  (909)  and  the  Laughing  Hawk  (Herpetotheres  cachinnans) 
(908)  are  among  the  smaller  members,  the  former,  like  the  Chanting 
Goshawk  already  mentioned  above,  being  remarkable  among  Birds  of 
Prey  for  its  mellowr  whistling. 

At  the  foot  of  this  Case  will  be  found  the  Short- toed  Eagle  (Circ-   [Case  51.] 
aetus  gallicus)  (911)  of  Southern  and  Central  Europe,  etc.,  and  several 
species  of  Serpent-Eagle  (Spilornis),  the  crested  form  (S.  cheela)  (914) 
of  India  being  a  specially  handsome  bird.     As  their  name  implies,  both 
these  and  the  Short-toed  Eagles  feed  principally  on  snakes  and  other 


78  BIRD  GALLERY. 

reptiles,  while  small  mammals,  birds,  frogs,  fish,  crabs,  and  insects  are 
also  devoured.  Another  Oriental  genus  is  represented  by  the  Grey- 
faced  Buzzard-Eagle  (Butastur  indicus)  (916)  ;  and  the  Bateleur  Eagle 

[Case  51.]  (Helotarsus  ecaudatus)  (917),  which  is  placed  next  it,  is  a  peculiar  short- 
tailed  African  form,  and  with  its  fiery-red  face  and  feet  is  one  of  the 
handsomest  Birds  of  Prey. 

Next  come  the  grand  Sea- Eagles  (Haliaetus),  which  are  fully 
represented  by  no  fewer  than  five  species.  The  White-tailed  Sea-Eagle 
or  Erne  (H.  albicillus)  (918),  which  formerly  bred  round  the  coasts  of  the 
British  Isles,  is  now  probably  only  an  autumn-  and  winter-visitor  to 
our  shores;  the  White-headed  or  Bald  Sea-Eagle  (H.  leucocephalus] 
(919)  is  the  North  American  representative  form,  and  the  handsomest 
of  all  is  perhaps  the  Vociferous  Sea-Eagle  (H.  vocifer)  (920)  from 
[Central  Africa.  Few  kinds  of  fish,  flesh,  fowl,  or  carrion  come  amiss  to  these 
I8e'-'  birds.  In  the  large  Central  Case  a  very  fine  series  of  Steller's  Sea- 
Eagle  (H.  pelagicus)  (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. 

[Case  52.]  jn  this  Case  are  placed  the  Kites  and  Honey-Buzzards  :  commencing 
on  the  floor  we  find  the  handsome  chestnut  aud  white  Brahminy  Kites 
(Haliastur)  (923,  924),  the  lovely  Swallow-tailed  Kite  (Elanoides  fur- 
catus)  (925)  from  America,  and  the  Common  and  Black  Kites  (Milvus 
milvus  and  M.  korschuri)  (926,  927).  Though  once  a  common  bird  in 
Great  Britain,  only  a  few  pairs  of  the  Common  Kite  or  ' '  Gled  "  have 
escaped  destruction  and  nest  in  this  country  at  the  present  time ; 
the  Black  Kite  has  occurred  twice  as  an  accidental  straggler  to  our 
shores. 

[Case  52.]  Baza  subcristata  (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  (Gampsonyx  swainsoni)  (929),  a 
beautifully  marked  diminutive  form  from  Central  and  South  America, 
the  curious  Hook-billed  Kites  (Leptodon)  (930),  their  slender-billed 
ally  (Rostrhamus  leucopygus)  (932),  and  the  handsome  Lead-coloured 
Falcon  (Ictinia  plumbea]  (933),  all  from  the  same  continent.  After  the 
Square-tailed  species  (Lophoictinia  isura]  (934)  from  Australia,  we  come 
to  the  Black-shouldered  Kite  (Klanus)  ;  a  specimen  of  E.  c&ruleus  (936) 
is  said  to  have  been  obtained  in  Ireland  in  1862,  but  the  evidence 
appears  to  be  insufficient.  Lastly  the  curious  South- American  Double- 
toothed  Falcon  (Harpagus  bidentatas)  (937),  which  resembles  the 
Cuckoo- Falcons  (Baza)  in  having  the  upper  mandible  doubly  notched, 
is  worthy  of  special  notice. 


FALCONS.  79 

The  Honey-Buzzard  (Pernis  apivorus]  (938)  is  a  regular  summer- 
visitor  to  Great  Britain,  and  a  few  pairs  still  breed  where  they  are 
afforded  protection.  Andersson's  Pern  (Macharhamphus  anderssoni) 
(939),  an  allied  African  form  also  shown,  is  a  very  rare  bird  with 
crepuscular  habits  and  feeds,  partly  at  least,  on  bats. 

The  Falcons  \_Falconin(e~\  are  characterised  by  their  short  powerful  bill,  [Case  53.] 
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  (Falco  peregrinus]  (951 )  [PI.  XVI.]  and  its  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- Falcons  (Hierofalco) ,  which 
include  some  of  the  largest  species,  inhabiting  the  colder  parts  of  the 
Northern  Hemisphere.  The  most  beautiful  of  these  noble  birds  is  un- 
doubtedly the  nearly  white  Greenland  form  (H.  candicans)  (942),  which, 
like  its  allies  the  Iceland  and  Scandinavian  Jer-Falcons  (H.  islandus  (944) 
[PI.  XXV.]  and  H.  gyrfalco  (945)),  occasionally  visits  Great  Britain. 
Jer-Falcons  were  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  iu  Falconry  at  the  present  time.  Besides  the  Common 
Peregrine  a  fine  example  of  the  Shahin  (F.  peregrinator]  (950),  a  darker-  [Case  53.] 
coloured  Indian  form,  may  be  seen  as  well  as  the  Lanner,  Barbary,  and 
Laggar  Falcons  (F.  feldtggi,  F.  barbarus,  and  F.  jugger]  (947,  948,  949). 
Among  the  smaller  Falcons  will  be  found  the  Hobby  (F.  subbuteo) 
(952),  and  the  Merlin  (F.  asalon)  (953),  both  well-known  British  species, 
and  the  Red-headed  Merlin  (F.  chiquera)  (954),  a  very  handsome 
Indian  species. 

The  Black-legged  Falconet  (Microhurax  carulescens)  (956)  represents 
a  group  of  diminutive  Falcons  inhabiting  the  Indo-Malayan  region. 
In  spite  of  their  small  size  they  are  bold  and  dashing  in  their  habits, 
and  besides  insects,  capture  birds  as  large  as  Quails.  The  allied  genus 
Poliohierax,  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  (Cerchneis] ,  a 
somewhat  numerous  genus,  are  represented  by  the  common  species 
(C.  tinnunculus]  (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.  naumanni)  (959),  which  appears  on  the  British  List  as  an 
occasional  visitor  from  Southern  Europe.  In  the  Red-footed  Falcon 
(Erythropus  vespertinus)  (962),  as  in  the  true  Kestrels,  the  sexes  differ 


80  BIRD  GALLERY. 

in  plumage.  Other  forms  represented  are  the  Madagascar  Kestrel 
(Dissodectes  zoniventris)  (961),  the  Australian  Quail-Hawk  (Hieracidea 
beriffora)  (963),  and  the  Bush-Hawk  (Harpa  australis)  (964). 


Family  III.  PANDIONID^E.     OSPREYS. 

.p  KO  -I  The  last  family  includes  the  Ospreys  and  Fishing-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  will,  and  the  soles  of  the  feet  are  pro- 
vided with  spicules  to  enable  them  to  hold  the  fish  on  which  they 
prey.  The  Osprey  or  Fish-Hawk  (Pandion  haliaetus)  (965)  is  a  cosmo- 
politan species  and,  though  now  a  very  rare  bird  in  Great  Britain, 
bred  till  within  a  few  years  ago  in  one  or  two  places  in  the  North  of 
Scotland.  The  other  allied  genus,  Polioaetus,  includes  three  species 
of  Fishing-Eagles  inhabiting  the  Indo-Malayan  region.  The  Grey- 
headed form  (P.  ichthyaetus)  (966)  haunts  rivers  and  its  food  consists 
almost  entirely  of  fish. 


Order  XXIII.  STRIGIFORMES.     OWLS. 

[Case  54.1  The  Owls  form  a  well-marked  group  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  Accipitres.  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  fourth  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  Speotyto,  the  American  Burrowing- 
Owl,  uses  the  burrows  of  prairie-marmots  and  other  small  mammals. 
Many  species  are  dimorphic,  that  is  to  say  have  two  phases  of  coloration, 
a  grey  and  a  rufous.  Two  families  are  recognised,  distinguished  bv 
various  anatomical  differences. 


OWLS. 


81 


Family  I.  BUBONID.E.     HORNED  AND  WOOD-OWLS. 

[Case  54."1 
The  first    group  to  be  considered  are  the  Fishing-Owls  (Ketupa]   L 

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  Malayan  regions.  Of  the  two  exhibited,  the  Tawny  Fishing-Owl 
(K.  flavipes]  (967)  ranges  from  the  Himalaya  to  China,  while  the 
Brown  form  (K.  ceylonensis)  (968),  which,  according  to  Mr.  Hume, 
varies  its  diet  with  mammals,  land-birds  and  crabs,  occurs  in  the  Indian 
Peninsula  and  Ceylon.  Pel's  Owl  (Scotopelia  peli)  (969),  an  allied 
species  from  Tropical  Africa,  lacks  the  feathered  tufts  or  horns,  but  is 
otherwise  very  similar. 

The  Eagle-Owls  (Buboninee),  of  which  examples  are  exhibited  in  a  [Table- 
separate  Case  in  the  centre  of  the  Bay,  include  the  largest  of  all  the      case> ' 
Owls.     The  Great  Eagle-Owl  (Bubo  ignavus)   (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.  turcomanus]  (971)  from  Central  and  Southern  Asia, 
and    the    handsome    Spotted    Eagle-Owl    (B.    maculosus]  (972)    from 
S.  Africa,  are  also  represented. 

The  Snowy  Owl  (Nyctea)  (973),  another  very  large  species,  inhabits  [Case  54.] 
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  plumage  is 
sometimes  pure  white. 

The  Hawk-Owls,  represented  by  the  North  European  species  (Surnia 
ulula)  (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  ot 
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.  asio) 
(977)  of  N.  America,  of  which  both  the  grey  and  rufous  phases  are 
exhibited. 

Another  genus,  the  Brown  Hawk-Owls  (Ninox),  with  numerous  species, 
ranges  from  Asia  through  the  Pacific  islands  to  Australia.  N.  scutulata 
(981)  is  a  common  Indian  form,  while  N.  strenua  (982)  and  A",  connivens 

Q 


82  BIRD  GALLERY. 

[Case  54.]  (933)  are  Australian,  the  former,  as  its  name  implies,  being  the  giant  of 
the  group. 

The  Little  Owl  (Athene  noctud)  (984) ,  which  was  probably  originally 
imported  from  Holland,  is  now  a  common  bird  in  some  parts  of  the 
British  Isles. 

The  allied  genus  of  Pigmy  Owlets  (Glaucidium)  contains  numerous 
diminutive  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  Himalaya,  and  the  Common  Pigmy  Owlet 
(G.  passerinum)  (987)  of  Northern  and  Central  Europe.  Of  special  in- 
terest is  the  Burrowing  Owl  (Speotyto  cunicularia)  (989)  of  America,  a 
small  long-legged  species,  which  lives  in  large  communities  in  the  burrows 
of  the  Prairie- mar  mot  and  other  Mammals,  and  is  mainly  diurnal  in 
habits. 

The  genus  Nyctala  is  represented  by  both  its  members,  Tengmalm's 
Owl  (N.  tengmalmi]  (990),  which  inhabits  the  forests  of  Northern 
Europe,  Siberia,  and  Arctic  America  and  occasionally  visits  Great 
Britain,  and  the  Saw-whet  Owl  (N.  acadica)  (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-eared, 
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  plentiful. 

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  are  represented. 
Closely  allied  to  these  is  the  Great  Grey  Owl  (Scotiaptex  cinerea]  (999), 
the  Arctic  American  representative  of  the  Lapp  Owl.  The  last  member 
of  this  family  is  the  Bay  Owl  (Photodilus  badius)  (1000),  a  peculiar  form 
from  the  Indo-Malayan  region,  which  occupies  an  intermediate  position 
between  the  Bubonidce  and  the  Strigidce. 


Family  II.  STRIGUD^E.     BARN-OWLS. 

[Case  64.]  The  Barn-  or  Screech-Owls  (Striae)  representing  this  family  are 
nocturnal  in  their  habits,  and,  as  they  feed  almost  exclusively  on  small 
rodents,  are  extremely  useful  birds  and  entitled  to  protection.  They  are 


PARROTS.  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  ($.  flammed) 
(1003),  generally  distributed  throughout  the  British  Islands  and  locally 
common  in  Europe  and  North  Africa. 


Order  XXIV.  PSITTACIFORMES.     PARROT-TRIBE. 

The  Parrots  include  about  500  species,  which  are  grouped  into  [Cases 
about  80  genera  and  2  families.  They  possess  certain  characteristics  >55>  56<J 
which  isolate  them  from  the  majority  of  birds,  and  have  in  consequence 
been  placed  in  very  varied  positions  in  the  numerous  schemes  which 
have  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  mandible  moveable  and  articulated  to  the 
skull,  is  the  most  distinguishing  character  and  one  by  which  all  Parrots 
may  at  once  be  recognised.  The  nestling,  when  first  hatched,  is 
completely  naked  but  is  subsequently  covered  with  thick  grey  down. 

Family  I.  PSITTACID^E.     TRUE  PARROTS. 

On  the  floor  of  this  Case  we  find  the  Owl-Parrot  or  Kakapo  (Stringops  rQa8e  55  n 
habroptilus]  (1006)  (the  type  of  a  distinct  subfamily  Stringopina) ,  which, 
though  possessing  fully  developed  wings,  is  incapable  of  flight,  and  like 
many  other  New  Zealand  birds  in  a  similar  condition  is  rapidly 
disappearing.  It  derives  its  trivial  name  from  the  disc  of  feathers  round 
the  eye  and  from  its  nocturnal  habits.  During  the  day  it  hides  in  holes 
under  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  an  affectionate  and  playful  pet. 

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


84  BIRD  GALLERY. 

[Case  55 1  Kakapo  in  general  appearance,  viz.,  the  Ground-Parroquet  (Geopsittacus 
occidentalis,  (\ftin)  and  the  Grass-Parroquet  (Pezoporusformosus)  (1008), 
both  natives  of  Australia.  Among  the  examples  of  the  well-known 
Budgerigar  (Melopsittacus  undulatus)  (1009),  a  remarkably  handsome 
yellow  variety  will  be  seen  ;  and,  on  the  shelf  above,  the  curious  crested 
form  known  as  the  Horned  Parroquet  (Nymphicus  cornutus)  (1011), 
which  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- 
rhamphus,  Neophema,  Barnardius,  Platycercus,  Pyrrhulopsis,  Apros- 
mictus,  Polytelis,  and  Paleeornis  (1012-1039),  many  beautiful  forms  will 
be  found,  including  many  well-known  cage-birds  such  as  the  Kosella  or 
Rose- Hill  and  Pennant's  Parroquets  (Platycercus  eximius  and  P.  elegans) , 
(1024,  1025),  the  Red-shouldered  Parroquet  (Ptistes  erythropterus) 
(1020),  the  King-Parroquet  (Aprosmictus  cyanopygius)  (1021),  and 
the  lovely  little  Turquoisine  Green  Parroquet  (Neophema  pulchella) 
(1030),  all  from  Australia.  Of  the  well-known  species  of  Palaornis, 
so  often  seen  in  captivity,  several  are  exhibited ;  the  Long-tailed 
Parroquet  (P.  longicauda)  (1034)  from  Borneo,  illustrating  the  nesting- 
habits  of  the  group,  will  be  seen  on  the  floor  of  the  Case ;  while  the 
common  Indian  Rose-ringed  species  (P.  torquata)  (1033)  and  others 
are  placed  on  the  second  shelf.  Of  the  Australian  genus  Polytelis  the 
Barraband's  Parroquet  (P.  barrabandi)  (1037)  is  remarkable  for  the 
great  difference  in  plumage  between  the  male  and  female,  and  Queen 
Alexandra's  Parroquet  (P.  alexandra)  (1039)  is  equally  noteworthy  on 
account  of  its  extreme  rarity. 

On  the  third  shelf  the  small  Love-Birds  (Loriculus,  Agapornis,  and 
Bolbopsittacus)  (1040-1046)  are  represented,  and  of  the  numerous 
species  known  many  are  favourite  cage-birds. 

On  the  top  shelf  the  curious  Racquet-tailed  Parroquets  (Prioniturus) 
(1047,  1048),  from  the  Philippines  and  adjacent  islands,  and  the  Great- 
billed  Parroquet  (Tanygnathus  megalorhynchus)  (1049)  from  the  same 
region  will  be  found ;  also  the  Red-sided  Eclectus  (Rclectus  pectoralis) 
(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  (Psittacus  erithacus)  (1052),  a  favourite  cage-bird 
on  account  of  the  extraordinary  facility  with  which  it  learns  to  talk 
[Case  .56.]  and  imitate  sounds  of  all  kinds. 

On  the  floor  of  this  Case  we  find  the  remarkable  looking  Pesquet's 
Parrot  (Dasyptilus  pesgueti)  (1056)  from  New  Guinea,  and  the  well- 
known  Amazon  Parrots  (  Chrysalis)  (1057-1060),  of  which  several  species 
are  exhibited,  and  above  these  various  allied  South  American  genera  such 
as  the  Conures  (Conurus)  (1069-1073)  and  the  gaudy  Macaws  (Ara) 


t»ARROTS.  85 

(1079-1081),  which  are  placed  at  the  top  of  the  Case.  The  last  genus 
of  this  subfamily  includes  the  smallest  of  the  group  and  is  represented 
by  the  Pigmy  Parrot  (Nasiterna  pusio)  (1078),  which  with  its  congeners 
is  confined  to  the  Papuan  subregion.  On  the  top  shelf  are  placed  the 
Great  Black  Cockatoo  (Microglossus  aterrimus)  (1089),  the  Ganga 
(Callocephalum  galeatum]  (1090),  and  the  Yellow-and-Black  Cockatoo 
(Qalyptorhynchus  xanthonotui)  (1091). 

The  third  subfamily  Cacatuirue  includes  the  Cockatoos,  most  of  which 
are  well  known  in  captivity.  Commonest  of  all  perhaps  is  the  Cockateel 
(Calopsittacus  novae  hollandice}  (1082)  j  and  of  the  various  species  of 
Cockatoo  (Cacatua  and  Licmetis),  ranging  from  the  Philippines  to 
Australia,  the  handsomest  is  undoubtedly  Leadbeater's  Cockatoo 
(C.  leadbeateri)  (1087),  while  the  most  curious  is  the  bare-eyed  form 
known  as  the  Slender-billed  Cockatoo  (L.  nasica]  (1088). 

Family  II.  LORIID.E.     LORIES  OR  BRUSH-TONGUED  PARROTS. 
(Plate  XVII.  fig.  1.) 

The  Brush-tongued  Parrots  may  be  divided  into  three  subfamilies,  the  [Case  56.] 
Loriince  or  Lories,  the  Cyclopsittacinae  or  Lorilets,  and  the  Nestorirue  or 
Kaka  Parrots. 

To  the  first  belong  the  genera  Chalcopsittacus,  Eos,  Lorius,  Vini, 
Coriphilus,  Trichoglossus,  etc.  (1092-1106),  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  (Cyclop sit tacus  diophthalmus)  (1107). 

The  third  subfamily  is  represented  by  the  Kaka  Parrot  (Nestor 
meridionalis]  (1108)  [PL  XVII.  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  (N.  notabilis}, 
which  of  recent  years  has  developed  an  extraordinary  liking  for  flesh. 
At  first  these  birds  contented  themselves  with  devouring  sheeps'  heads 
and  other  offal  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,  indeed,  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  their  final  extermination 
is  probably  only  a  matter  of  time. 


86  BIRD  GALLERY. 


Order  XXV.  CORACIIFORMES.     PICARIAN  BIRDS. 
[Cases  This  Order  contains  a  number  of  families  including  the  Oil-birds. 

f>fj    £»«_>  ~| 

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  can 
be  distinguished  from  other  allied  orders. 


Family  I.  STEATORNITHID^E.     OIL-BIRDS. 

[Case  57.]  The  Oil-bird  or  Guacharo  (Steatornis  curipensis]  (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  differs,  however,  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  guacharo-butter, 
which  is  used  for  purposes  of  illumination  and  for  cooking. 

Family  II.  PODARGID,E.     FROG-MOUTHS. 

rCase  57.1  Tne  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,  Podargus  and 
^Egotheles  being  confined  to  New  Guinea  and  Australia,  while  Batrach- 
ostomus  is  found  in  the  Indo-Malayan  countries  and  islands. 

The  Common  Australian  Frog-mouth  (P.  strigoides)  (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  upright  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-mouth 


PICAHIAN  BIRDS.  87 

(B.  auritus]  (1113)  represents  a  group  of  smaller  but  closely-allied 
birds  with  very  handsomely  coloured  plumage ;  the  most  diminutive 
members  of  the  family  are  the  Owlet-Nightjars  such  as  ^E.  novae- 
hollandice  (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.  ALCEDINID.E.     KINGFISHERS.     (Plate  XVIII.) 

This  large  family,  comprising  about  160  species,  is  universally  but  [Case  55.] 
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 
are  divided  into  two  subfamilies,  the  Water-Kingfishers,  Alcedinince, 
and  the  Wood-Kingfishers,  Daceloninee.  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  Alcedinina  belong  the  Stork-billed  Kingfishers, 
such  as  the  Burmese  species  (Pelargopsis  burmanica)  (1115),  which 
occasionally  varies  its  fish  diet  with  small  reptiles  and  young  birds, 
and  the  members  of  the  genus  Ceryle,  distributed  over  the  Old  and 
New  Worlds,  and  remarkable  among  birds  of  this  group  on  account  of 
the  difference  in  the  markings  of  the  sexes.  One  of  the  largest  is  the 
Ringed  Kingfisher  (C.  torquata)  (1116),  belonging  to  the  grey-backed 
section  of  the  genus,  while  the  green-backed  South  American  species 
are  represented  by  C.  superciliosa  (1 118),  one  of  the  smallest  of  all  the 
Kingfishers.  The  best  known  member  of  this  section  is  the  Common 
Kingfisher  (Alcedo  ispida)  (1120)  [PI.  XVIII.J,  the  brightest  of  our 
indigenous  birds  and  a  familiar  ornament  of  our  rivers  and  lakes. 
Other  smaller  allied  forms  are  the  Malachite-crested  Kingfisher  (Cory- 
thornis  cristata)  (1 121),  and  the  Little  Blue  Kingfisher  (Alcyone  pusilla) 
(1123),  which  has  only  three  toes. 

The  first  of  the  Daceloninae  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  (Syma flavirostris)  (1127)  from  Australia; 
and  the  Black-cheeked  Carcineutes  melanops  (\  128).  The  large  genus 
Halcyon,  containing  more  than  fifty  species,  is  represented  by  a  number 
of  very  beautiful  forms,  of  which  we  may  specially  mention  the 


88  BIRD  GALLERY. 

I 

Sumatran  and  Lindsay's  Kingfishers  (H.  concretus  and  H.  lindsayi) 
(1136,  1137),  and  the  strikingly  handsome  white- and-green  species 
(H.  saurophagus)  (1139).  Other  notable  forms  are  the  Hooded  and 
Blue-and- White  Kingfishers  (Monachalcyon  monachus  and  M.  fulgidus) 
(1139  a,  1140),  the  Sanghir  Kingfisher  (Citlura  sanghirensis)  (1141), 
the  Huahine  Kingfisher  (Todirhamphus  tutus)  (1142),  and  the  graceful 
Racquet-tailed  species  (Tanysipterd)  (1143  1145),  ranging  from  the 
Moluccas  and  the  Papuan  Islands  to  N.E.  Australia.  On  the  ground 
floor  will  be  found  the  extraordinary  Shoe-billed  Kingfisher  (Glytoceyx 
rex]  (1146)  from  New  Guinea,  in  which  the  sexes  are  somewhat 
differently  coloured;  the  Hook-billed  Melidora  macrorhina  (1147),  and 
the  "  Laughing  Jackasses"  of  Australia  (Dacelo)  (1 148-1 150) .  These 
latter  derive  their  trivial  name  from  their  extraordinary  laughing 
note,  familiar  to  many  who  visit  our  Zoological  Gardens,  and,  unlike 
most  of  the  Kingfishers,  they  thrive  well  in  captivity. 

Family  IV.  LEPTOSOMATID.<E.     KIROMBOS  or  MADAGASCAR  ROLLERS. 

[Case  58.]  The  Kirombo  or  Vorondreo  (Leptosoma  discolor)  (1151)  inhabits  the 
islands  of  Madagascar,  Mayotte,  and  Anjouan,  while  a  somewhat 
smaller  form  occurs  in  Great  Comoro  Island.  These  are  the  only 
representatives  of  this  rather  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  birds  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^.     ROLLERS. 

[Case  58.]  These  brilliantly  coloured  birds,  distributed  over  the  greater  part 
of  the  Old  World,  may  be  divided  into  two  subfamilies.  The  first, 
Brachypteraciince,  includes  some  curious  ground  forms  peculiar  to 
Madagascar,  and  represented  by  Atelornis  pitto'ides  (1152),  Uratelornis 
chimera  (1153),  and  Geobiastes  squamigera  (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,  Coraciince,  belong  the  true  Rollers,  of 
which  the  common  species  (Coracias  garrulus)  (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 


tlCARIAN   BIRl)S.  89 

(C.  lorti}  (1156),  mounted  flying  to  display  its  brilliant  colouring. 
The  Broad-billed  Rollers  (Eurystomus)  •  (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  the  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^E.     BEE-EATERS. 

These  extremely  brilliant  and  graceful  birds  inhabit  the  temperate  [Case  58.] 
and  tropical  portions  of  the  Old  World,  being  most  numerous  in  the 
Ethiopian  region.  As  their  name  implies,  their  food  consists  of  bees, 
wasps,  and  similar  insects,  which  are  captured  on  the  wing.  In 
districts  where  Bee-culture  flourishes  they  are  most  injurious  and  are 
destroyed  in  large  numbers.  Like  the  Sand-Martins,  the  majority  at 
least  of  the  Bee-eaters  breed  in  colonies  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  has  the  central  tail-feathers  elongated, 
belong  a  number  of  species,  the  Common  Bee-eater  (M.  apiaster] 
(1166)  being  the  most  familiar.  This  bird  is  well  known  in  Europe  as 
a  summer-visitor,  and  is  occasionally  met  with  as  a  straggler  in 
Great  Britain.  Another  striking  member  is  the  Nubian  Bee-eater 
(M.  nubicus)  (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  of  Nyctiornis  (1 173,  1 174) 
found  in  the  Indo-Malayan  countries,  and  reported  to  nest  in  holes  in 
trees. 

Family  VII.  MOMOTID^E.     MOTMOTS. 

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  are  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  the  middle  tail-feathers  is 
artificially  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  shown  include  examples  of  three 


90  BIRD  GALLERY. 

of  the  seven  genera  recognised;  Momotus  (1176)  and  Prionirhynchus 
(\  1 77)  having  racquet-shaped  middle  tail-feathers,  while  in  Baryphthengus 
(1178)  these  feathers  are  normal. 

Family  VIII.  TODID^E.     TODIES. 

[Case  58.]  This  family  includes  four  diminutive  West  Indian  species  of  the 
genus  Todus  (1179-1180),  closely  allied  in  structure  to  the  Motmots, 
but  differing  from  them  externally,  and  resembling  the  Flycatchers  in 
general  appearance  and  habits.  Like  their  allies,  they  nest  in  holes  in 
banks  and  lay  glossy  white  eggs. 

Family  IX.  UPUPID^E.     HOOPOES. 

[Case  58.]  The  birds  comprising  this  family  are  distributed  over  Europe,  Asia 
and  Africa,  and  are  divided  into  two  subfamilies — the  true  Hoopoes 
(Upupina),  and  the  Wood- Hoopoes  (Irrisorirus) .  To  the  former  belong 
rufous-coloured  species  with  large  crests,  such  as  the  Common  Hoopoe 
(Upupa  epops)  (1181),  which  is  a  regular  visitor  to  Britain,  and  is 
occasionally  known  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  in  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,  which  resembles  the  syllable  "  hoop  "  uttered  two  or  three  times 
in  succession. 

The  Wood-Hoopoes,  represented  by  the  genera  Irrisor  and  Rhinopo- 
mastus,  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 
jacksoni)  (1184),  which  has  the  head  and  throat  nearly  white;  the 
species  of  Rhinupomastus  (1185,  1186)  are  also  noteworthy  on  account 
of  their  long  and  extremely  curved  bill,  which  is  specially  adapted  for 
probing  the  crannies  of  trees  in  search  of  insects. 


PICABJAN    BIRDS.  91 

Family  X.     BUCEROTIDJS.     HORNBILLS.     (Plate  XIX.) 

These  remarkable  looking  birds,  ranging  from  Africa  and  the  Indo-  [Cases 
Malayan  regions  to  the  Solomon  Islands,  derive  their  name  from  their  '  '•" 
immensely  developed  bill,  surmounted  in  most  of  the  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  Dichoceros  bicornis  (1 190)  [PI.  XIX.  figs,  c 
&  d~]  illustrating  the  normal  type;  while  Bucorax  abyssinicus  (1188) 
and  Rhinoplax  vigil  (1212)  are  peculiar,  the  former  in  having  the  casque 
open  anteriorly,  the  latter  in  having  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 
witli  strong  lashes.  The  feet  have  broad  soles,  the  second,  third,  and 
fourth  toes  being  partially  united.  Though  often  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  each  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,  arid  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  and  other  enemies. 

The  female  is  said  to  remain  imprisoned  until  the  young  are  fully 
fledged,  and  in  some  species  at  least  the  wings  and  tail  are  shed  and 
renewed  during  this  period,  the  moulting  of  these  feathers  being  no 
doubt  a  welcome  relief  to  the  bird  in  its  cramped  and  stuffy  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,  Bucoracinte 
and  Bucerotina ;  the  former  including  only  two  very  large  African 
species  of  Ground-Hornbills  characterised  by  their  long  legs,  which  are 
well-adapted  for  walking.  The  Abyssinian  Ground-Hornbill  (Bucoru.K 


92  BIRD  GALLERY. 

abyssinicus]  (1188)  is  almost  omnivorous,  devouring  small  mammals, 
reptiles,  and  all  kinds  of  insects,  and  sometimes  uniting  with  its  fellows 
to  attack  and  kill  large  snakes,  against  which  they  advance  in  company. 

The  Bucerotinae  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  the  loose  soil  with 
their  bills.  The  food  consists  chiefly  of  fruit  and  berries;  but  small 
mammals,  reptiles,  and  even  fish  are  sometimes  eaten. 

The  different  genera  are  chiefly  characterised  by  the  shape  of  the 
casque,  which  varies  greatly  in  form,  and  in  some  cases  is  very  slightly 
developed. 

The  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  bicornis)  (1190)  [PI.  XIX.  figs,  c  &  d~]  being 
very  large  birds,  while  Cassin's  Pigmy  Hornbill  (L.  camurus)  (1194)  is 
comparatively  small.  Some  species,  such  as  the  Rufous-necked  Hornbill 
(Aceros  nepalensis)  (1199)  [Figs.  «&#]  and  the  West  African  Horubill 
(Ceratogymna  atrata)  (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 
(Rhinoplax  vigil)  (12 12),  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.  CAPRIMULGID^K.     NIGHTJARS.     (Plate  XVII.  fig.  2.) 

[Case  01.]  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,  but  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  Chordiles  (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 "  (Caprimulgus  vociferus]  (1219).  The  two 
beautifully  marbled  oval  eggs  are  usually  laid  on  the  bare  ground 
without  any  nest;  and  the  young,  though  helple-s  when  first  hatched, 
are  covered  with  down.  The  species  of  Phalaenoptilus  are  an  exception 
to  the  rule,  and  lay  white  eggs  like  their  close  allies  the  Oil-Birds  and 
Frog-mouths. 

Two  subfamilies  are  recognised,  viz.,  the  Caprimulginos,  characterised 
by  having  the  claw  of  the  middle  toe  pectinate  or  furnished  with  a  kind 
of  comb,  and  the  Nyctibiirue,  in  which  the  claw  of  the  middle  toe  is 


PICARIAN  BIRDS.  93 

normal.  To  the  former  group  belong  our  Common  Nightjar  (Capri- 
mulgus  europORus]  (1216),  a  summer-visitor  to  Britain,  and  a  bird 
regarded  with  superstition  by  all  European  nations  on  account  of  its 
supposed  habit  of  milking  goats,  though  its  food  consists  exclusively  of 
moths,  beetles,  and  such  like.  The  peculiar  "churring"  sound  uttered 
by  the  male  on  summer  evenings  is  familiar  to  most  residents  in  the 
country.  Two  other  members  of  this  genus,  the  Red-necked  Nightjar 
(C.ruftcollis)  (1217)  and  the  Egyptian  Nightjar  (C.  agyptius)  (1218), 
have  occurred  as  accidental  stragglers  to  our  shores. 

Among  the  more  remarkable  forms  we  may  call  special  attention  to 
the  African  species  Macro  dipt  eryx  macrodipterus  (1221)  and  Cosmetornis 
vexillarius  (1215)  [PI.  XVII.  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  Scotornis  climacurus  (1232) 
from  North  Africa,  and  in  the  South  American  species  of  Hydropsalis 
(1231)  and  Macropsalis  (1214)  some  of  the  tail-feathers  are  greatly 
lengthened.  Nyctidromm  (1228)  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-Malayan  species  of  Lyncornis  (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  Nyctibius,  and  represented  by  N.  tether eus 
(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.jamaicensis  (1234)  exhibited  on  the  floor  of  the  Case. 

Family  XII.  CYPSELID^E.     SWIFTS.     (Plate  XX.) 

The  Swifts  owe  their  trivial  name  to  their  extraordinary  rapid  flight,  [Case  61.] 
which  is  practically  unlimited  in  duration,  and  in  some  of  the  species, 
notably  the  spine-tailed  forms  of  the  genus  Chaetura,  is  unsurpassed  in 
speed  by  any  other  bird.  Though  resembling  the  Swallows  in  their 
outward  appearance  and  habit  of  hawking  insects  on  the  wing,  they 
differ  widely  from  these  birds  in  important  points  of  structure.  They 
are  found  all  over  the  globe  except  in  the  extreme  northern  and 
southern  regions.  Three  subfamilies  are  recognised — the  Cypselinee  or 
true  Swifts,  the  Chaturinte  or  Spine-tailed  Swifts,  and  the-  Macroptery- 
ffince  or  Crested  Swifts.  In  the  first  of  these  groups  all  four  toes  are 
directed  forwards,  but  in  the  last  two  the  hind  toe  is  said  to  be 
occasionally  versatile.  Their  toes,  though  well  adapted  for  clinging, 
are  so  small  that  walking  is  difficult,  and  these  birds  experience  great 


94  BIRD  GALLERY. 

61  -I  difficulty  in  rising  from  the  ground.  The  nesting-habits  vary  greatly 
in  the  different  genera  :  the  species  of  Cypselus  (1235-1237)  (of  which 
our  Common  Swift  is  typical)  conceal  their  nests  in  holes  and  under 
eaves;  Panyptila  (1239)  constructs  an  enormous  pendent  tube  of 
interwoven  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  composed  of  dried  secretions  of  the  salivary  glands ; 
and  Macropteryx  (1243)  makes  a  small  exposed  nest  on  a  branch  or 
stump.  The  eggs,  varying  in  number  from  one  to  five,  are  invariably 
pure  white  and  devoid  of  gloss ;  the  young  are  hatched  naked. 

To  the  first  subfamily  belongs  our  Common  Swift  (Cypselus  apus] 
(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  Alpine  Swift  (C.  melbd)  (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  Berne,  formerly  a  well-known 
breeding-place,  but  now  replaced  by  a  new  spire.  The  American 
genera  Panyptila  (1238)  and  Aeronautes  (1249)  have  the  toes  feathered ; 
the  extraordinary  nest  built  by  the  former  has  already  been  referred  to. 
The  Palm- Swifts  (Tachornis),  with  the  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.  phcenicobia  (1248)  is  shown  in  the  Case.  The  Chaeturina  include  the 
Spine-tailed  Swifts  (Chatura),  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  Cypseloides  (1240)  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,  which  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  briefly  referred  to  above.  The  nest  is  a  half. 


P1CARIAN  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.  TROCHILIDJE.     HUMMING-BIRDS. 

The  Humming-birds  or  Hummers,  so  called  from  the  sound  often  pro-  [Case  62.] 
duced  by  their  vibrating  wings,  are  exclusively  a  New  World  group,  and 
must  not  be  confounded  with  the  Passerine  group  of  Sunbirds  (Nec- 
tariniidte),  which  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 
Selasphorus  rufus  (1318)  migrates  northwards  in  summer  to  Canada 
and  even  Alaska.  Eustephanus  galeritus  (1273  a)  frequents  Tierra  del 
Fuego  even  in  snowy  weather;  while  Oreotrochilus  chimborazo  (1304) 
and  0.  pichincha  (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  (Patagona  gigas]  (1308), 
about  9^  inches  long,  while  the  smallest  forms,  such  as  Mellisuga 
minima  (1326)  and  Chaetocercus  bombus  (1326  a),  are  little  larger  than  a 
bumble-bee  and  only  measure  2^  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 
hyoid  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  bears 
a  thin  membranous  fringe  on  its  outer  margin. 

The  plumage  is  usually  of  a  brilliant  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  in  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  metallic  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  BIRD  GALLERY. 

[Case  62 1  more  definite  characters  the  absence  or  presence  of  the  serration  has 
been  used  in  grouping  the  numerous  genera,  but  the  classification  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),  Aglaactis  (1310),  and  others,  or  the  shafts  of  the  quills 
may  be  broad  and  stiffened,  as  in  the  Sabre-wings,  Sphenoproctus  and 
Campylopterus  (1 292).  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  in  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  the  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  in  search  of  tiny  insects.  Eutoxeres  (1288)  has  the  bill 
curved  in  almost  a  semicircle,  and  feeds  on  spiders  which  it  catches 
in  the  crevices  of  trees  and  walls.  I<oddigesia  mirabilis  (1309)  is  one 
of  the  rarest  and  most  marvellous  members  of  the  family  on  account 
of  its  remarkable  tail.  In  the  female  and  young  male  ten  rectrices  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  on 
the  outside,  which  cross  one  another  and  end  in  a  (t  racquet."  This 
species  was  discovered  in  Northern  Peru  by  a  botanist  named  Matthews 
in  1836,  and  the  single  specimen  then  procured  remained  unique  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  63  1  ^'ie  P08^011  °f  tne  Colics  in  the  classification  of  birds  has  been  much 
discussed,  but  it  is  now  generally  admitted  that  they  should  be  placed 
among  the  C-jraciiformes,  and  in  close  proximity  to  the  Trogons. 

The  family  includes  only  the  genus  Colius  (1360-1363),  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 


TROGONS.  97 

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


Order  XXVI.  TROGONIFORMES.    TEOGON-TRIBE. 

The  birds  constituting  this  very  distinct  Order  are  chiefly  remarkable 
on  account  of  the  unique  structure  of  the  foot,  in  which  the  first  and 
second  toes  are  directed  backwards  and  the  third  and  fourth  forwards. 

Family  TROGONID^E.     TROGONS. 

The  single  family  (Trogonida]  includes  nearly  fifty  species,  all  birds  [Case  63.] 
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  inhabited  the  Palsearctic 
region,  is  proved  by  the  discovery  of  the  fossil  Trogon  gallicus  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  damp 
tissue-paper,  and  consequently  these  birds  are  the  most  difficult  of  all 
to  preserve.  They  frequent  the  thickest  forest,  and.  are  of  rather 
sluggish  habits,  feeding  chiefly  on  fruits  and  insects  which  are  captured 
on  the  wing.  The  eggs,  which  are  white  tinged  with  bluish  or  buff, 
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  (Pharomacrus  mocinno) 
(1365),  from  the  highlands  of  Central  America,  with  the  upper  wing- 
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  Prionotelus  temnurus  (1368),  with  the 
plumage  alike  in  both  sexes  and  the  tail-feathers  deeply  excised,  and 
the  many  species  belonging  to  the  genus  Trogon  (1369-73),  several  of 
which  are  shown.  In  Africa  the  group  is  represented  by  three  species 
belonging  to  the  genus  Hapaloderma  (1374),  and  in  the  Indo-Malayan 
region  by  Harpactes  (1375-77),  and  Hapalarpactes  (1378). 

H 


98  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Order  XXVII.  CUCULIFORMES.     CUCKOO-TRIBE. 

The  birds  comprising  this  Order  form  a  fairly  well-marked  group,  and 
are  divided  into  two  families,  the  Cuculida  or  Cuckoos,  and  the  Muso- 
phagidte  or  Turacos.  In  the  former  the  foot  is  of  the  true  zygodactylous 
type,  with  the  first  and  fourth  toes  turned  backwards  and  the  second 
and  third  forwards;  but  in  the  Turacos  the  fourth  toe  is  less  completely 
reversed,  and  we  find  what  is  known  as  a  semi-zygodactylous  type, 
similar  to  that  seen  in  the  Madagascar'Rollers. 

Family  I.  CUCULID^E.     CUCKOOS.      (Plate  XXI.  fig.  1.) 

[Case  64.1  The  Cuculida  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  in  the  nest  of  some  suitable  foster-mother,  whose  own  young 
are  subsequently  ejected  by  the  young  Cuckoo.  Many  Cuckoos, 
however,  are  not  parasitic,  but  build  their  own  nests  and  rear  their 
young  in  the  ordinary  manner. 

Six  subfamilies  are  recognised ;  the  first,  including  the  true  Cuckoos 
(Cuculinai),  are  hawk-like  birds  and  our  common  Cuckoo  (Cuculus 
canorus)  (1385)  [PI.  XXI.  fig.  1],  from  whose  note  the  family  derives 
its  name,  is  the  type.  It  is  a  summer-visitor  to  Great  Britain, 
Europe,  and  Asia,  migrating  southwards  in  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  in  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  by  its  greater  size.  The  large  Hawk-Cuckoo 
(Hierococcyx  sparverioides]  (1384)  of  the  Himalaya  and  Eastern  Asia 
closely  resembles  in  appearance  and  flight  a  species  of  Sparrow- Hawk 
(Accipiler  virgatus)  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 " 
(Cacomantis  merulinus]  (1386). 

A  well-known  European  and  African  species  is  the  Great  Spotted 
Cuckoo  (Coccystes  glandarius)  (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  found  in  one  nest.  The  Urongo-Cuckoos 
(Surniculus)  (1383)  are  small  black  species  closely  resembling  the 


CUCKOOS.  99 

Drongos  (Dicrurus]  (see  p.  133),  in  whose  nests  they  are  said  to  place  [Case  64.] 
their  eggs.  The  smallest  members  of  the  group  are  the  beautiful  little 
species  of  Chrysococcyx  found  in  the  Old  World,  and  of  these  the 
Emerald  Cuckoo  (C.  smaragdineus]  (1387)  of  Africa  is  the  most 
lovely.  The  hosts  selected  by  these  birds  are  Sun-birds  and  Finches. 
In  America  the  subfamily  is  represented  by  the  genus  Coccyzus,  the 
members  of  which  are  not  parasitic  but  build  their  own  nests,  and 
are  said  to  be  most  affectionate  parents.  The  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo 
(C.  americanus]  (1391)  has  on  several  occasions  visited  Great  Britain. 
The  Indian.  Koel  (Eudynamis  honorata]  (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  (Scythrops  novce- 
hollandife]  (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  (Centropodinee)  include 
but  a  single  genus,  Centropus  (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,  Phcenicuphaina,  includes  a  number  of  non- 
parasitic  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 
Saurothera  (1399-1400),  Hyetornis  (1401),  and  Piaya  (1402-1404), 
locally  known  as  "  Rainbirds  " ;  the  Malkohas  of  the  genera  Zanclostomus 
(1407),  Rhopodytes  (1407  a),  Phoenicophaes  (1408),  Rhampho  coccyx 
(1409-1410),  Rhinortha  (1405),  and  Taccocua  (1406)  from  Eastern  Asia 
and  the  neighbouring  islands  ;  the  remarkable  Philippine  species  Dasy- 
lophus  superciliosus  (1412)  and  Lepidogrammus  cumingi  (1413)  ;  and  the 
various  species  of  Madagascar  Cuckoos  (Coua),  of  which  the  blue 
species  C.  carulea  (1415)  is  a  striking  example. 

The  fourth  subfamily,  Neomorphina,  includes  the  large  and  handsome 
Pheasant-Cuckoo  (Carpococcyx  radiatus)  (1416)  from  Borneo,  the  well- 
known  Road-runner  or  Chaparral-cock  (Geococcyx  mexicanus)  (1418), 
from  the  thinly  wooded  or  barren  plains  of  South-western  N.  America, 
and  one  or  two  other  New  World  forms. 

Diplopterus  ncevius  (1419)  and  Dromococcyx  phasianellus  (1420) 
represent  the  fifth  subfamily  Diplopterina,  found  in  Central  and  South 
America. 

Lastly  the   Crotophaginee ,   also  a   New  World  group,  includes   the 

H  2 


100  BIRD  GALLERY. 

White  Anis  (Guira)  (1422)  and  the  Black  Anis  (Crotophaya)  (1421).  The 
latter  are  remarkable  on  account  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.  MUSOPHAGID^E.     TOURACOS. 

[Case  63.]  These  birds,  often  called  Plantain-eaters,  and  locally  known  as 
"  Lowries,"  include  about  twenty-five  species  grouped  in  six  genera. 
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  are  mostly  grey.  To  the  former  category  belong  the  numerous 
species  of  Turacus  (1425),  and  a  few  included  in  Gallirex  (1428)  and 
Musophaga  (1429).  All  these  birds  have  the  flight-feathers  mostly  crimson 
and  yield  a  peculiar  pigment  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  green  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.  143).  The  Violet  Touraco  (Musophaga  violacea)  (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  (Corythaola  cristata)  (1430),  the  largest 
member  of  the  family,  is  also  a  very  handsomely-coloured  bird,  but  the 
species  of  Schizorhis(\  43 1 )  and  Gymnoschizorhis  ( 1 432),  the  two  remaining 
genera,  are  dull-coloured  and  mostly  of  a  grey  or  greyish-brown  tint. 

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


Order  XXVIII.  PICIFORMES.     WOODPECKERS  AND  ALLIES. 

[Cases       The  Toucans,  Barbets,  Honey-Guides,  and  Woodpeckers  representing 
65-67.]  this  Order  possess  many  structural  characters  in  common,  such  as  their 
zygodactylous  foot,  with  the  first  and  fourth  toes  directed  backwards 
and  the  second  and  third  forwards. 

Family  I.  RHAMPHASTID.E.     TOUCANS. 

[Case  65 1       ^e   Toucans    are  a  large  and  brightly-coloured  group,  plentifully 
represented  in  the  forests  of  Central  and  South  America,  especially  in 


TOUCANS.  ^  i  ;  J,  ,J    ICflr. 


the  great  wooded  regions  of  Amazonia.  They  ai 
the  extraordinary  shape  and  size  of  the  bill,  only- fiYn|Le,o;  ^y  tjiat'" pf'- ^ 
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  being  supported  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  zygodactylous  feet  these  birds  do  not 
climb  like  the  Woodpeckers,  but  jump  from  branch  to  branch  a^ter  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 
bending  it  forwards  over  the  back,  as  shown  in  the  mounted  example 
of  the  Orange-breasted  Toucan  (Rhamphastos  vitellinus)  (1439).  They 
are  able  to  assume  this  position  owing  to  the  perfect  ball-and-socket 
articulation  of  the  caudal  vertebrae.  About  sixty  species  are  recognised 
and  grouped  into  the  five  genera  Rhamphastos,  Andigena  (1440-1442), 
Pteroglossus,  Selenidera,  and  Aulacorhamphus,  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  Rhamphastos, 
of  which  R.  toco  (1436)  is  one  of  the  most  robust,  and  the  most  brilliant 
are  the  Aracaris  (Pteroglossus)  (1443-1449).  The  members  of  the  genus 
$e/emWera(1450-1451)  are  remarkable  in  having  the  plumage  differently 
coloured  in  the  male  and  female,  and  the  Green  Toucans  (Aulaco- 
rhamphus} (1452-1455)  are  at  once  recognisable  by  their  uniform  style 
of  plumage,  which  imitates  the  colour  of  the  forest-leaves. 

Family  II.  CAPITONIDJL     BARBETS. 

The  members  of  this  family  are  small,  rather  heavily-built  birds,  with  [Case  65.] 
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, 
and  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.  In 
some  species  the  sound  is  singularly  metallic,  and  has  gained  for  them 
such  appropriate  names  as  u  Copper-smith "  (Xantholarna  hamato- 


BIRD  GALLERY. 

"Tinker-bird"  (Barbatula  pusilla)  (1464),  and  "  Iron- 
''^  (Cy&neps)'' \\tf\-\ 41 3).  Fruits,  buds,  and  insects  form  their 
principal  food,  but  in  captivity  they  will  eat  meat  or  small  birds. 
From  three  to  five  oval  white  eggs  are  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  are  recognised  and  are  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  Pogonorhynchus  dubius  (1456),  with  the  base  of  the  bill 
hidden  by  dense  tufts  of  bristles,  and  its  allies  belonging  to  the  genera 
Lybius  <1457,  1458),  and  Tricholcema  (1459,  1460).  In  all  the  other 
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  Gymnobucco  calvus  (1461),  with  its  curious  bare 
head,  and  Heliobucco  bonapartei  (1462) ;  also  in  Calorhamphus  hayi  (1466) 
from  the  Malay  Peninsula;  all  three  are  birds  of  singularly  plain 
appearance.  One  of  the  largest  is  the  Great  Himalayan  Barbet  (Mega- 
lama  marshallorum]  (1467),  and  the  most  brilliantly  coloured  members 
are  found  in  the  Oriental  genus  Cyanops  (1471-1473)  and  the  South 
American  Capita  (1480-1484);  which  are  remarkable  in  having  the 
plumage  of  the  sexes  different. 


Family  III.  INDICATORID^.     HONEY-GUIDES. 

[Case  65.]  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  shai'e  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  utilise  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  example,  have 
a  stout,  rather  finch-like  bill,  while  in  Prodoliscus  regulus  (1488)  and  its 
allies  it  is  more  slender  and  pointed. 


WOODPECKERS.  103 

Family  IV.  FICID^E.     WOODPECKERS.     (Plate  XXII.) 

This  large  and  important  family  of  scansorial  birds  with  zygodac-  [Case  66.] 
tylous  feet,  including  nearly  four  hundred  specieSj  ranges  over  almost 
the  whole  of  the  temperate  and  tropical  regions  of  the  world,  but  is 
absent  from  Madagascar,  Polynesia,  and  Australia.  It  is  divided  into 
three  subfamilies  :  the  true  Woodpeckers  (Picince),  the  Piculets  (Picum- 
nince),  and  the  Wrynecks  (lyngince).  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  supplied  with  sticky  mucus  from  the  large 
salivary  glands,  which  causes  insects  and  their  larvse  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- 
pecker (Gecinus  viridis)  (1496,  1497)  exhibited  in  the  Case. 

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

The  subfamily  Picinte  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 
auratus)  (1490)  of  N.  America.  The  genus  Gecinus  includes  a  number 
of  nearly  allied  species,  the  most  familiar  being  the  Green  Woodpecker 
or  "  Yaffle'"  (G.  viridis)  (1492),  a  common  resident  in  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  (Asyndesmus  torquatus]  (1494),  of  Western  N.  America, 
is  remarkable  in  having  the  feathers  of  the  collar  and  underparts 
with  the  barbs  disconnected.  [See  preparation.]  Another  handsome 
American  genus  is  Melanerpes  (1507-1510),  of  which  five  types  are 
shown,  the  Ant-eating  species  (M.formicivorus)  (1521),  exhibited  on  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 
(Micropternus  phaoceps)  (1502),  from  South-eastern  Asia,  represents  a 


J04  BIRD  GALLERY* 

peculiar  type  of  coloration.  The  large  genus  Dendrocopus  is  represented 
"  in  England  by  two  species,  the  Greater  Spotted  Woodpecker  (./).  major] 
(1518)  [PI.  XXII.]  and  the  Lesser  Spotted  Woodpecker  (D.  minor]  (1522), 
the  latter  being  shown  with  its  nesting-hole  on  the  floor  of  the  Case. 
Another  species,  which  is  said  to  have  been  twice  procured  in  England, 
is  the  American  Hairy  Woodpecker  (D.  villosus)  (1523).  Two  well- 
known  European  birds  are  the  Three-toed  Woodpecker  (Picoides 
tridactylus)  (1524),  representing  a  genus  in  which  the  first  toe  is 
wanting,  and  the  Middle  Spotted  Woodpecker  (Dendrocoptes  medius] 
(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  Picinee  belong  to  the  genus  lyngipicus  (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  (Campophilus 
imperialis]  (1511)  is  shown,  and  the  Great  Slaty  Woodpecker  (Hemi- 
lophus  pulverulentus)  (1495)  from  the  Indo-Malayan  countries. 

The  second  subfamily  Picumninae  includes  about  forty  very  small 
Woodpeckers  known  as  Piculets,  with  the  tail-feathers  very  short  and 
rounded.  They  are  distributed  over  Central  and  South  America,  West 
Africa,  and  the  Indian  region.  Representatives  of  two  of  the  four 
genera  recognised  will  be  found  in  Hargitt's  Piculet  (Picumnus  un- 
dulatus]  (1515)  from  Guiana,  and  the  Rufous  Piculet  (Sasia  ochracea) 
(1514)  from  North  India  and  Burma,  the  latter  possessing  only  three 
toes,  the  first  being  absent. 

O£  the  Wrynecks,  representing  the  third  subfamily  lyngince,  four 
species  are  known,  all  included  in  one  genus,  lynx.  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  "  (/.  torquilld)  (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  on  the  ground. 
The  other  species,  one  of  which  (/.  pectoralis]  (1517)  is  shown,  are 
confined  to  Africa  and  have  the  fore-neck  and  chest  rufous. 


Family  V.  BUCCONID.E.     PUFF-BIRDS. 

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


JACAMARS.  105 

curved  bill,  hooked  at  the  tip  in  the  genus  Bucco  (1537-44),  and  thickly 
beset  with  bristles.  There  is  no  aftershaft  to  the  contour-feathers. 
They  inhabit  the  dense  forests,  and  are  said  to  resemble  Bee-eaters  or 
Flycatchers  in  their  habits,  most  of  the  insects  on  which  they  feed  being 
captured  on  the  wing.  Very  little  is  known  of  the  nesting-habits,  but 
the  Swallow-wing  (Chelidoptera  tenebrosa)  (1532)  is  known  to  breed 
in  holes  in  banks  and  lay  white  eggs.  More  than  forty  species  are 
recognised  and  grouped  into  seven  genera,  and  representatives  of  four 
of  these  are  exhibited  in  the  Case. 

Family  VI.  GALBULID.E.     JACAMARS. 

The  distribution  of  this  family,  like  that  of  the  nearly  allied  Bucco-  '• 
nidce,  is  Central  and  South  American.  In  general  appearance-  they 
resemble  the  Bee-eaters.  The  bill  is  long,  slender  and  pointed,  the 
plumage  often  metallic,  and  the  contour-feathers  have  an  aftershaft. 
The  feet  are  zygodactylous,  and  in  the  genus  Jocamaralcyon  (1554)  the 
hind  toe  is  absent.  Their  habits  and  mode  of  feeding  are  very  similar 
to  those  of  the  Puff-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  Galbulince  except 
the  Great  Jacamar  (Jacamerops  grandis)  (1556),  which,  on  account  of 
its  curved  bill  and  other  structural  characters,  is  placed  in  a  second 
subfamily,  Jacameroperince. 

Order  XXIX.  EURYL^EMIFORMES. 

The  members  of  this  Order  appear  to  form  a  connecting-link  between 
the  Picarian  birds  and  the  Passeres.  They  resemble  the  latter  in  having 
the  palate  segithognathous  and  in  other  anatomical  characters,  but  differ 
in  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^MID^E.     BROAD-BILLS. 

As  their  name  implies,  these  birds  are  characterised  by  their  broad 
flat  bill.  They  inhabit  the  forests  of  South-eastern  Asia  and  the  adjacent 
islands,  feeding  mostly  on  insects,  or,  in  some  cases,  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  white  or 


106  BIRD  GALLERY. 

cream-coloured,  and  in  some  species  heavily  spotted  towards  the  larger 
end. 

To  the  subfamily  Calyptomenina  belong  three  beautiful  species  with 
the  nostrils  hidden  by  the  erect  frontal  plumes  and  the  plumage  mostly 
vivid  green.  All  three  are  represented  in  the  Case ;  Calyptomena  white- 
headi  (1559),  the  largest,  and  C.  hosei  (1560),  with  its  bright  blue 
breast,  both  very  rare  birds,  being  peculiar  to  the  highlands  of  Borneo, 
while  the  smaller  C.  viridis  (1561),  a  pair  of  which  are  mounted 
with  their  nest,  is  more  widely  distributed  in  the  Indo- Malay  an 
region. 

The  second  subfamily,  Euryleemince,  includes  a  number  of  handsome 
forms,  such  as  Horsfield's  Broad-bill  (Eurylcemus  javanicus)  (1563), 
the  Long-tailed  Broad-bill  (Psarisomus  dalhousice)  (1566),  and  the 
sombre-coloured  Dusky  Broad-bill  (Corydon  sumatranus)  (1567),  with 
its  remarkably  wide  flattened  bill  like  that  of  a  Frog-mouth.  The 
Black-and-Red  Broad-bill  (Cymborhynchas  macrorhynchus)  (1565)  is 
shown  with  its  large  globular  nest  made  of  grass. 


Ordei-  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*.     LYRE-BIRDS.     (Plate  XXIII.  fig.  1.) 

[Case  67.]  The  three  large  species  of  Menura  (1568)  included  in  this  family  are 
all  natives  of  Australia  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  in  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  gurgling 
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  (1569),  placed  sometimes  on  the  ground,  some- 
times on  trees,  contains  one  large  egg,  blotched  and  marked  with  purplish- 
brown. 


PERCHING-BIRDS.  107 


Order  XXXI.  PASSERIFORMES.     PERCHING-BIRDS. 

This  Order,  comprising  the  rest  of  the  living  members  of  the  class  [Cases 
Aves,  includes  between  five  and  six  thousand  species,  nearly  all  being  68~84. 
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  base.  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  segithognathous,  the  vomer  being  broad  and  truncate  and 
the  maxillo-palatine  bones  separate  from  one  another  (Appendix, 
p.  145).  This  arrangement  of  the  deep  plantar  tendons  of  the  foot, 
which  is  termed  "  passerine,"  combined  with  the  segithognathous  palate, 
is  characteristic  of  the  Order. 

Passerine  birds  are  divided  into  two  sections,  the  Acromyodi  or 
Singing-Birds,  and  the  Mesomyodi  or  Songless  Passeres.  This  division, 
however,  is  based  on  the  anatomical  structure  of  the  syrinx  or  lower 
larynx,  in  which  the  voice  is  produced,  rather  than  on  the  actual  power 
of  producing  melodious  notes  in  a  certain  sequence.  In  the  Acromyodi 
the  intrinsic  muscles  of  the  syrinx  are  complex  and  consist  of  numerous 
pairs  fixed  to  the  ends  of  the  bronchial  semi-rings ;  while  in  the  Meso- 
myodi the  muscles  are  simple,  consisting  in  many  cases  of  only  one  pair, 
inserted  into  the  middle  of  the  bronchial  semi-rings  (Appendix,  p.  148). 

All  our  song-birds  belong  to  the  Acromyodian  group,  but  there  are 
numerous  Passerine  birds  possessing  the  less  complicated  Mesomyodian 
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  BIRDS. 

The  Mesomyodian  Passeres  are  further  divided  into  two  groups — 
Tracheophonee  and  Oligomyoda — the  former  having  the  lower  end  of  the 
trachea  modified  to  form  an  organ  of  song,  while  in  the  latter  the 
reverse  obtains. 

Group  I.  TRACHEOPHON&. 

Four  families  are  recognised,  characterised  by  the  shape  of  the 
sternum  and  by  the  structure  of  the  tarsal  scutes.  In  the  Pteroptochida: 
and  Conopophagidae  the  sternum  has  four  posterior  notches,  in  this 
respect  differing  from  all  other  Passeres ;  while  in  the  Formicariidcp  and 
Dendrocolaptida  there  are  only  two  notches. 


108  BIRD    GALLERY. 

Family  I.  PTEROPTOCHID^E.     TAPACOLAS. 

rr  68 1  These  small  Wren-like  birds,  characterised  by  their  large  robust  feet 
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,  hiding 
themselves  in  thick  cover,  where  they  hop  actively  from  bough  to  bough, 
or  run  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  Pteroptochus 
(1570)  and  Hylactes  (1671-2),  are  reported  to  nest  in  burrows. 

Rather  more  than  twenty  species  are  recognised  and  grouped  into 
eight  genera,  some  of  which  will  be  found  represented  in  the  Case. 

Family  II.  CONOPOPHAGID^E.     CONOPOPHAGAS. 

PP  6g-,  About  a  dozen  species,  all  found  in  South  America,  comprise  this 
family.  The  species  of  Conopophaga  (1577)  and  Corythopsis  (1578),  the 
two  genera  recognised,  are  very  imperfectly  known,  and  nothing  appears 
to  have  been  recorded  concerning  their  habits. 

Family  III.  FORMICARIID^E.     ANT-BIRDS. 

[Case  68.1  This  large  and  characteristic  South-American  group  of  about  260 
species  is  chiefly  confined  to  the  tropical  forests  of  the  north,  ranging 
thence  in  diminishing  numbers  to  Central  America,  Chile,  and  Argentina. 
They  are  mostly  birds  of  very  retired  habits,  creeping  silently  about 
among  the  lower  branches  or  searching  for  insects  and  their  larvae  on  the 
ground  in  the  densest  and  thorniest  thickets.  Though  commonly  known 
as  u  Ant  "-birds,  it  is  now  believed  that  they  do  not  feed  on  ants,  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.: — Thamnophilina,  or  Ant-Shrikes,  which  have 
the  strong  hooked  bill  toothed  at  the  extremity,  and  greatly  resemble 
the  true  Shrikes  (Lanius,  etc.)  both  in  appearance  and  habits  ;  Formi- 
cariince,  which  recall  Thrushes  and  Warblers;  and  the  long-legged 
GrallariincK,  which  look  like  the  Pittas  except  in  coloration. 

Among  the  more  notable  forms  of  the  Thamnophilince  we  may  call 
attention  to  the  giant  of  the  group,  Batara  cinerea  (1580),  with  its 
formidable  hooked  bill,  no  doubt  used  for  the  destruction  of  smaller 
birds  as  well  as  large  insects,  and  Neodantes  niger  and  Clytoetantes  alixi, 
two  abnormal  types  with  curious  upturned  bills. 


PERCHING-BIRDS.  109 

The  numerous  genera  of  the  Formicariince  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.  Pithys  albifrons  (1598)  is  remarkable  for  its  crested  head 
and  lengthened  throat-feathers. 

The  Grallariince  (1606-9)  are  easily  recognised  by  their  long  legs  and 
short  tail.  They  are  entirely  terrestrial  in  their  habits,  and  resemble 
the  Pittas  in  form  and  the  Ground-Thrushes  in  their  style  of  coloration. 

Family  IV.  DENDROCOLAPTID.E.     WOOD-HEWERS. 

The  Wood-Hewers  form  another  large  and  typical  South-American  [Case  68.] 
group,  including  about  280  species  of  birds  of  small  size.  They  are 
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  Dendrocolaptina  and  Sclerurince 
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  Philydorinw,  Synallaxince,  and  Furnariince  the  shafts  of  the  tail- 
feathers  are  soft  or  not  very  spinous  and  the  outer  toe  is  free. 

The  subfamily  Dendrocolaptince  includes  a  number  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-trunks  in  search  of  insects,  and  their  white  eggs  are 
deposited  in  holes.  The  larger  forms,  such  as  Kiphocolaptes  major 
(1610),  Nasica  longirostris  (1612),  and  Dendroplex  picus  (1621),  with 
its  straight  pointed  bill,  are  very  like  Woodpeckers ;  while  Xiphurhynchus 
procurvus  (1614)  and  X.  irochilirostris  (1615),  with  their  long,  slender, 
curved  bills,  are  typical  of  the  Creeper-like  forms,  and  Glyphorhynchus 
cuneatus  (1617),  with  its  short,  stout,  upturned  bill,  has  more  the 
appearance  of  a  Nuthatch. 

The  second  subfamily,  Sclerurince,  includes  half  a  dozen  spiny-tailed 
species  of  the  genus  Sclerurus  (1618),  with  somewhat  longer  legs  and 
terrestrial  habits. 

Of  the  Philydorince,  which  include  a  number  of  bush-hunting  forms, 
we  may  call  special  attention  to  the  "Firewood  Gatherer ""  (Anumbius 
acuticaudatus]  (1 652),  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  BIRD  GALLERY. 

[Case  68.]  with  the  working  of  the  lines.     Xenops  rutilus  (1629)  is  a  curious  little 
form,  worth  noting  on  account  of  its  much  compressed,  upturned  bill. 

The  Warbler-like  Synallaxinas  embrace  a  number  of  small  forms  fre- 
quenting the  bushes  and  low  undergrowth,  and  are  interesting  on  account 
of  their  remarkable  nesting-habits.  Some  of  the  species  of  the  genus 
Synallaxis  (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  may  often  be  found  in  the  same 
tree.  The  species  of  Siptornis  (1637-8)  have  very  similar  habits. 
Another  member,  the  Thorn-tailed  Warbler  ( Oxyurus  spinicauda]  ( \  642), 
has  the  shafts  of  the  tail-feathers  stiffened  and  bare  towards  the  tips. 

The  last  subfamily,  Furnariin<e,  includes  a  number  of  soft-tailed 
terrestrial  species.  The  most  curious  nests  of  all  are  the  oven-shaped 
clay  structures  built  by  the  Oven-birds  (Furnarius)  (1651),  and  usually 
placed  in  the  most  exposed  situations,  such  as  the  top  o£  a  post  or  on  a 
bare  rock.  Although  the  eggs  may  not  be  laid  till  September  or 
October,  the  birds  often  begin  to  build  in  the  middle  of  June,  and  may 
be  found  at  work  in  any  month  of  the  year.  The  winter-built  nests  are 
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  cunicularia  (1649),  reminding  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.   OLIGOMYODJE  (p.  107). 

Family  I.  COTINGID^J.     AMERICAN  CHATTERERS. 

'"Case  69.J  This  important  family  contains  more  than  100  species  or  fruit-eating 
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  their  diet  is 
supplemented  by  molluscs,  insects,  and  even  lizards.  Six  subfamilies 
are  recognised.  The  Gymnoderina  are  rather  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.  This 
ornament  is  much  less  developed  in  the  females,  which  are  otherwise 


PERCHING-BIRD8.  Ill 

very  similar  in  appearance.  The  common  Bell-bird  or  "  Campanero  " 
(C.  niveus)  (1 654)  carries  on  its  forehead  a  long  fleshy  erectile  appendage, 
ornamented  with  short  white  feathers;  while  C.  tricarunculatus  (1655) 
has  three  long  vermiform  wattles,  one  on  the  base  of  the  bill  and  two 
lateral  ones  at  the  angles  of  the  gape,  and  C.  variegatus  (1657)  has  the 
naked  throat  covered  with  a  beard  of  long  straggling  bristles.  Only  the 
male  Bell-birds  bear  these  ornaments.  Their  note  is  loud  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  Gymnoderus  fcetidus  (1658),  which  has  a  decidedly 
vulturine  appearance,  the  naked-faced  Gymnocephalus  calvus  (1661), 
the  handsome  crimson  H&matoderus  militaris  (1662),  and  the  great 
Pyroderus  scutatus  (1664),  one  of  the  largest  members  of  the  group. 

The  second  subfamily,  Cotingince,  includes  a  number  of  birds  of 
brilliant  plumage,  notably  the  members  of  the  genus  Cotinga,  of  which 
C.  cayana  (1674)  and  C.  cincta  (1675)  are  striking  examples;  the  dark 
crimson  Xipholena  pompadora  (1665),  the  curious  swallow-tailed 
Pldbalura  flavirostris  (1676),  and  the  diminutive  species  of  lodopleura 
(1669-70),  the  smallest  birds  of  the  group. 

To  the  third  subfamily,  Rupicolinae,  belong  the  splendid  Cocks-of-the- 
Rock  (Rupicola}  (1680-2),  with  their  extraordinary  compressed  crest,  and 
the  Red  Chatterers  (Phcenicocercus  carnifex^)  (1683).  In  the  males  of 
the  former  the  end  of  the  first  flight-feather  is  curiously  attenuated, 
while  in  the  latter  the  fourth  flight-feather  is  shortened  and  terminates 
in  a  horny  filament.  In  the  breeding-season  the  males  of  Rupicola 
have  been  observed  by  Schomburgk  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  buff  spotted  with  reddish- 
brown  and  lilac. 

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

The  sixth  subfamily,  Tityrina;,  is  worth  noting  on  account  of  the 
excessively  short  second  flight-feather  characteristic  of  the  males  of  the 
group.  Examples  will  be  found  in  Tityra  cayana  (1688),  Hadrostomus 
aglaiae  (1689),  and  Pachyrhamphus  viridis  (1690). 


Family  II.  PIPRID.E.     MANAKINS. 

This  family  comprises  about  70  small  species,  closely  related  to  the  [Case  69.] 
Cotingidae,  but  distinguished  by  the  different  scaling  of  the  tarsi  and  by 
having  the  outer  and  middle  toes  more  closely  bound  together  at  the 


112  BIRD    GALLERY. 

[Case  69.]  base.  They  inhabit  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  insects,  and  their 
shallow  nests  are  suspended  from  the  branches  of  low  shrubs.  Two 
subfamilies  are  recognised — the  Piprinee,  including  the  smaller  species 
in  which  the  sexes  are  usually  dissimilar,  the  males  being  brilliantly 
-  coloured  and  the  females  dull,  and  the  Ptilochlorince,  birds  of  large  size, 
mostly  with  dull  plumage.  Among  the  Piprince  we  may  call  attention 
to  Chloropipo  flavicapilla  (1693),  with  its  elongate  wings  and  tail,  to 
Cirrhopipra  filicauda  (1698),  with  the  shafts  of  the  tail-feathers  ending 
in  long  stiff  filaments,  to  the  members  of  the  genera  Metopia  (1695) 
and  Masius  (1696-7),  with  their  erect  frontal  plumes,  and  to  the 
numerous  species  of  brilliantly  coloured  Pipra  (1700-5).  Macliaro- 
pterus  deliciosus  (1707)  is  remarkable  for  the  extraordinary  structure  of 
the  secondary  flight-feathers  in  the  male,  and  Chiroxiphia  linearis  (1 707a) 
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  Ptilochlorince  examples 
will  be  found  in  Ptilochloris  squamatus  (1716)  and  the  sombre-coloured 
Hc'teropelma  turdinum  (1714). 

Family  III.  OXYRHAMPHID^E.     SHARP-BILLS. 

[Case  70.1  The  three  representatives  of  this  family  belong  to  the  genus  Oxy- 
rhamphus  (1719),  found  in  Central  and  South  America.  They  are 
easily  distinguished  from  the  Tyrannidce  by  the  straight  sharp-pointed 
bill  and  by  the  strongly  serrated  outer  web  of  the  first  primary  quill  in 
the  male. 

Family  IV.    TYRANNID^E.     TYRANT-BIRDS. 

[Case  70.]  This  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  north,  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  and  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. 


PERCHING-BIRDS.  113 

The  name  "Tyrant"  is  specially  applicable  to  the  larger  birds  of  tliis 
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  are  ornamented  with  erectile 
crests,  as  in  Musdvora  (1758),  or  brilliantly  coloured,  as  in  Pyrocephalus 
(1761). 

Four  subfamilies  have  been  recognised,  the  first  being  the  Ttenio- 
pterina,  which  includes  a  number  of  dull-coloured  grey  and  black 
species.  The  most  noteworthy  form,  on  account  of  its  abnormal  tail, 
is  Alectrurus  tricolor  (1732),  from  the  Pampas  district  of  South 
America,  and  the  Yiperu  (Cybernetes  yetapd)  (1733),  one  of  the  largest 
forms,  has  a  very  long  and  deeply  forked  tail. 

The  second  subfamily,  Platyrhynchince,  embraces  a  number  of  small 
Flycatcher-like  birds  with  flattened  bills  and  dull  olive-coloured  plumage. 
Among  the  examples  shown  we  may  draw  attention  to  the  crested  form 
Colopterus  galeatus  (1736),  in  which  the  outer  flight-feathers  of  the 
male  are  curiously  abbreviated,  and  to  Euscarthmus  gularis  (1774), 
which,  with  its  dome-shaped  nest  with  the  entrance  at  the  side,  is  to  be 
found  on  the  floor  of  the  Case. 

The  Elaineince,  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  on  the  top  of  the  head. 
The  bright-tinted  reed-frequenting  Cyanotis  azarae  (1743)  is  an  exception 
both  in  colour  and  habits.  Elaine.a  ridleyana  (1776)  and  its  near  allies 
build  a  small  cup-shaped  nest  of  moss  and  lichen  ;  while  Myiozetetes 
similis  (1778)  makes  a  loosely-constructed  domed  nest  of  fibre  with  an 
entrance  at  the  side.  These  will  be  found  on  the  floor  of  the  Case. 
The  largest  species  is  Myiodynastes  bairdi  (1751),  a  bird  about  the  size 
of  a  Thrush. 

Of  the  fourth  subfamily,  Tyrannince  (which  includes  all  the  largest 
members  of  the  family,  with  flattened  bills  and  well-developed  bristles), 
the  most  remarkable  are  the  long  fork-tailed  species  Milvulus  tyrannus 
(1772)  and  M.  forficatus  (1773)  ;  the  King-Tyrant  (Musdvora  regia) 
(1758),  with  its  tiara-like  crest  of  orange  feathers  tipped  with  shining 
purple;  and  the  scarlet-plumaged  Pyrocephalus  rubineus  (1761),  repre- 
senting the  only  brilliantly  coloured  genus  of  the  Tyranninas. 

Family  V.  PHYTOTOMID^.     PLANT-CUTTERS. 

The  few  Finch-like  species  of   the  genus  Phytotoma  (1786-1)  in-  [Case  70.1 
eluded  in  this  family  are  all  natives  of  South  America.     They  are 


114  BIRD  GAXLEHY. 

interesting  as  representing  the  Finches  among  the  Mesomyodian 
Passeres,  and  closely  resemble  those  birds  in  their  habits  and  mode  of 
resting.  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-THRUSHES. 

[Case  70.]  With  the  exception  of  the  three  species  which  inhabit  Africa,  the 
fifty  long-legged  thrush-like  species  comprising  this  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  Anthocichla  phayrii 
(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  a  very  low  fork,  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  are  two  species  of 
Philepitta  (1799),  found  in  Madagascar.  They  appear  to  be  most  nearly 
allied  to  the  Pittas  (Pittidce),  but  differ  in  various  particulars  of  their 
structure,  such  as  the  naked  orbits  surmounted  by  the  fleshy  wattle 
in  the  male,  and  the  scaling  of  the  tarsi.  They  appear  to  be  entirely 
terrestrial  in  their  habits. 


Family  VIII.  XENICID^E.     NEW-ZEALAND  BUSH- WRENS. 

[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,  Xenicus,  Acanthidositta,  and 
Traversia,  include  five  species  only.  The  Rifleman  (A.  chloris)  (1800) 
is  almost  entirely  arboreal  in  its  habits,  actively  searching  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. 


PEHCHING-BIRDS.  115 

Section  B.  ACROMYODI.     SINGING-BIRDS  (p.  107). 
Family  I.  ATRICHORNITHID^E.     SCRUB-BIRDS. 

Only  two  small  Australian  species  of  the  genus  Atrichornis  (1801)  [Case  71.1 
are  included  in  this  family,  peculiar  among  Passerine  birds  in  having 
the  clavicles  (merry-thought)  rudimentary.  The  wings  are  so  small 
that  the  powers  of  flight  are  limited,  and  they  live  among  the  dwarf- 
ferns  and  dense  thickets,  where  they  are  only  to  he  detected  by  their 
loud  note. 

Family  II.  HIRUNDINID^E.     SWALLOWS. 

This  well-defined  cosmopolitan  family,  formerly  associated  with  the  [Case  71.] 
Swifts  (Cypselidee)  on  account  of  their  similarity  in  general  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  with  the  Swifts ;  but  the  latter 
may  always  be  distinguished  by  having  10  instead  of  12  tail-feathers. 
The  anatomical  differences  between  the  two  families  are  many  and 
striking.  Many  of  the  Swallows  breed  in  colonies,  and  two  or  even 
three  broods  are  reared  in  a  season.  About  116  species  are  recognised 
and  divided  into  two  subfamilies — the  Hirundininte,  including  the  true 
Swallows  and  Martins,  and  the  Psalidoprocnirue,  or  Rough-winged 
Swallows  (1815),  in  which  the  outer  margin  of  the  first  flight-feather  is 
provided  with  hooked  barbs. 

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  specie*  are  equally  migratory,  and  traverse  immense 
distances  on  their  pfiriodical  journeys.  The  Red-rumped  Swallow 
(H.  rufula)  (1808  a)  has  been  recorded  from  Kent  as  an  accidental 
visitor.  Two  other  well-known  visitors  to  the  British  Islands  are  the 
House-Martin  (Chelidon  urbica)  (1802),  which  builds  mud-nests  under 
the  eaves  of  houses  and  on  the  ledges  of  cliffs,  and  is  easily  recognised 
by  its  feathered  toes;  and  the  Sand-Martin  (Cotile  riparia]  (1805), 
which  excavates  a  tunnel  in  a  bank  terminating  in  a  nesting-chamber. 
Both  these  birds  lay  pure  white  eggs,  but  those  of  the  Swallow  are 
spotted  with  reddish-brown  and  lavender- grey. 

Family  III.  MUSCICAPIDJ?.     FLYCATCHERS. 

This  somewhat  vaguely  defined  family  includes  a  very  large  number  [Case  71.1 
of  insect-eating  species  peculiar  to  the  Old  World,  and  may  generally  be 

1-8 


116  BIRD    GALLERY. 

recognised  by  their  flattened  bill  beset  with  bristles.  Some  of  the 
forms  included  in  the  Flycatchers,  such  as  Cryptolopha  (1846)  and 
Polioptila  (1851),  might  well  be  placed  in  the  Warblers  (Sylviidce),  and 
it  seems  doubtful  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  (Turdidae).  One  of  the  best 
known  is  the  Common  Spotted  Flycatcher  (Muscicapa  grisola]  (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.  atri- 
capilla}  (1827),  while  the  Red-breasted  Flycatcher  (M.  parva)  (1829)  is 
an  occasional  visitor  from  Eastern  Europe  and  Asia.  The  Brown  Fly- 
catcher (Alseonax  latirostris)  (1830)  is  said  to  have  occurred  in  Kent. 
Among  the  more  striking  exotic  forms  we  may  mention  the  Australian 
"Robins,"  Petrosca  phcenicea  (1831)  and  P.  rhodinogaster  (1832),  with 
their  scarlet  and  pink  breasts  ;  the  lovely  Narcissus-Flycatcher  (Xantho- 
pygianarcissina}(\W\},ivom  China  and  Japan;  the  Paradise-Flycatchers 
(Terpsiphone)  (1866),  with  the  middle  pair  of  tail-feathers  greatly 
lengthened  in  the  male  ;  the  numerous  species  of  Rhidipura  (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  (Sisura  inquieta)  (1874),  known  to  the  colonists  as 
the  "  Grinder, "  on  account  of  the  peculiar  grinding  note  which  it  utters 
while  hovering  in  the  air  like  a  kestrel  before  descending  on  its  prey  ; 
and,  lastly,  the  Niltavas  (1863-5),  with  their  brilliant  plumaged  males, 
said  to  be  less  typical  in  their  habits  and  to  eat  berries. 

Family  IV.  CAMPOPHAGID^;.     CUCKOO-SHRIKES. 

[Case  71.]  Tne  members  of  tnis  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  (Pteropodocys  phasianella)  (1876), 
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  Graucalus  (1876,  Mil),  Art  amides  (1878, 1879), 
and  Campophaga  (1882,  1883)  are  arboreal  and  feed  on  insects  which 
they  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 


PERCHING-BIfcDS.  117 

of  the  females  yellow.  The  numerous  species  inhabit  the  wooded  regions 
of  India  and  the  Indo-Chinese  countries  and  islands,  and  are  generally 
met  with  in  small  flocks  searching  the  leaves  for  insects. 

Family  V.  PYCNONOTID^E.     BULBULS. 

The  members  of  this  numerous  and  fairly  well-defined  family  of  [Case  73.] 
somewhat  Thrush-like  birds  are  peculiar  to  the  Old  World  and  found 
throughout  the  Ethiopian,  Indian,  and  Malayan  regions.  They  are 
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,  placed  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  Pycnonotus  (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  puelld)  (1980),  the  beautiful  green 
species  of  Chloropsis  (1981-1984),  and  the  red-throated,  orange-breasted 
Rubigula  dispar  (1956)  from  Java. 

Family  VI.  TIMELIID.E.     BABBLERS. 

The  characters  and  limits  of  this  large  Old- World  family,  which  [Case  72.] 
includes  a  somewhat  varied  assemblage  of  species,  is  still  imperfectly 
understood.  They  may  be  generally  characterised  as  Thrush-like  birds 
with  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  about  singly  or  in  small 
companies  among  thick  undergrowth ;  but  some,  such  as  the  Chinese 
"Robin"  (Liothrix luted)  (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  Paridce.  Six 
subfamilies  are  recognised,  but  we  can  only  briefly  note  some  of  the 
more  remarkable  forms.  In  the  Crateropodina  we  find  the  curious 
spinous-tailed  species  (Orthonyx  spinicaudd)  (1892),  the  handsome 
Cinclosoma punctatum  (1893),  and  the  "Coach-whip"  bird  (Psophodes] 
(1899),  which  has  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  Woodpecker,  the  Scimitar-Babbler  (Xipho- 
rhamphus  superciliaris)  (1912),  remarkable  for  its  very  long,  slender, 
curved  bill,  and  the  Laughing  Thrush  (Dryonastes  chinensis)  (1907), 


1  18  BIRD  GALLERY. 

a  favourite  cage-bird.  To  the  Timeliina  belong  such  remarkable  forms 
as  the  Fluffy-backed  Babbler  (Ptilocichla  falcata)  (1933)  and  the  Hairy- 
backed  Babbler  (Macronus  ptilosus)  (1926),  in  which  the  feathers  of  the 
back  are  enormously  developed  ;  also  the  large  yellow  species  of  Malia 
(1936)  from  Celebes.  The  third  subfamily,  Brachypteryginae,  includes 
some  long-legged  terrestrial  forms,  the  largest  and  handsomest  of  which 
are  the  Wbistling-Thrushes  (Myiophoneus)  (1950)  and  the  smallest  the 
Short-wings  (0/igura)  (1945).  Among  the  representatives  of  the  fourth 
subfamily,  Sibiina,  we  may  draw  attention  to  the  Long-tailed  Sibia 
.  (Sibia  picaoides)  (1951)  and  Yu/rina  niyrimentum  (1952),  exhibited  with 
its  well-concealed  nest.  To  the  Liothrichina  belong  the  beautiful 
Chinese  "  Robin  "  (Liothrix  I  ate  a)  (1940)  mentioned  above,  a  familiar 
cage-bird  with  Tit-like  habits,  and  the  handsome  Cutia  nipalensis  (1939), 
from  Nepal.  The  so-called  Crow-Tits  (ParadoxornithincK)  form  the 
sixth  subfamily,  a  very  isolated  group,  and  may  be  recognised  by  their 
short  deep  bill,  most  developed  in  the  species  of  Paradoxornis  (1941) 
and  less  so  in  Snthora  (1942). 

Family  VII.  TROGLODYTID.E.     WRENS. 

[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  Ethiopian  regions.  They  have  no 
bristles  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  build  domed  nests,  and  in  many  cases 
have  remarkable  powers  of  song.  The  best  known  is  the  Common 
Wren  (Anorthura  troglodytes)  (2001),  a  familiar  British  bird,  ranging 
acrossEurope  as  far  east  as  Persia  and  southwards  to  the  Atlas  Mountains 
in  N.  Africa.  One  of  the  largest  is  the  Great  Bay  Wren  (Cinnicerthia 
unirufd)  (1989),  a  native  of  Colombia  and  Ecuador. 

Family  VIII.  CINCLID^;.     DIPPERS. 

[Case  73.]  y^e  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  water,  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  fish,  and  for  this  reason  constantly 
destroyed  as  vermin,  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  species,  all 


PERCHINGHBIRDS.  119 

included  in  the  genus  Cinclus,  the  most  familiar  is  the  Common  Dipper 
(C.  aquaticus)  (2007),  which  frequents  the  more  rapid  rocky  streams  in 
the  British  Islands  and  ranges  eastwards  over  Central  and  Western 
Europe. 


Family  IX.  MIMID^E.     MOCKING-BIRDS. 

The  Mocking-birds  are  an  American  family  allied  to  the  Thrushes  [Case  73.] 
and  ranging  over  the  greater  part  of  the  New  World.  The  young  are 
mottled,  as  in  the  Turdidce.  Some,  like  the  Common  Mocking-bird 
(Mimus  polygluttus]  (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  carolinensis)  (2017),  which,  in  addition  to 
its  attractive  song,  utters  mewing  sounds.  Leconte's  Thrasher  ( //arpo- 
rhynchus  hcontei)  (2026)  haunts  more  arid  situations  than  the  species 
already  mentioned,  but,  like  them,  places  its  large  nest  of  sticks,  &c.,  in 
some  low  tree  or  thorny  bush.  The  only  brightly  coloured  member  of 
the  family  is  the  Rose-breasted  Rhodinocichla  rosea  (2022),  found  in 
Colombia  and  Venezuela. 

Family  X.  TURDIDCE.     THRUSHES. 

The  Thrushes,  Redstarts,  and  Chats  form  a  very  large  family  distri-  [Case  74.] 
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  are  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  heing  procured  on  the  ground,  but  they  are  also  partial  to  fruit. 
Of  the  nine  subfamilies  recognised,  the  first,  Myiedtstina,  includes  a 
number  of  American  forms  of  somewhat  uncertain  affinities.  The 
beautiful  species  of  Cochoa  (2034),  from  the  Indo-Chinese  countries, 
represent  the  second  subfamily.  Of  the  Turdince  or  True  Thrushes,  a 
number  appear  on  the  British  List,  the  Song-Thrush  (2060),  Mistle- 
Thrush  (2053),  Blackbird  (2036),  and  Ring-Ouzel  (2056j being  breeding- 
species  ;  the  Red-wing  (2062)  and  Fieldfare  (2054)  regular  visitors  ; 
and  the  Siberian  (2065),  Black-throated  (2055),  Dusky  (2055  a),  White's 
(2045),  and  Rock-  (2063)  Thrushes,  accidental  stragglers.  Our  common 
Hedge-Sparrow  (Accentor  modularis)  (2066)  is  a  resident  and  the 
Alpine  Accentor  (A.  colluris)  (2067)  an  occasional  visitor  to  Britain,  and 


120  BIRD    GALLERY. 

represent  the  fourth  subfamily  ;  while  the  few  Australian  species  of 
Ephthianwa  (2068-2070)  constitute  the  fifth. 

The  Henicurinee  includes  the  fork-tailed  species  of  Henicurus  (2071) 
and  Hydrocichla  (2072),  inhabiting  the  mountain-streams  of  the  Indian 
Region,  and  resembling  Pied  Wagtails  in  general  appearance  and  habits. 

To  the  JRuticillina  belong  our  Common  (2074)  and  Black  (2075)  Red- 
starts, Robin  (2082),  Nightingale  (2080),  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 ;  ;tlso  the 
Ruby-throats  (Calliope}  (2083),  ('hat-Thrushes  (Cossypha)  (2094-5), 
and  Shamas  (Cittocincla)  (2092),  the  latter  much  prized  as  cage-birds 
on  account  of  their  sweet  song. 

The  Chats  (Saxicolirue]  form  the  eighth  subfamily.  The  British 
breeding-species  belonging  to  this  group  are  the  Stonechat  (2099), 
Whinchat  (2100),  and  Common  Wheatear  (2107),  while  the  Eastern 
Stonechat  (2099  a),  Isabelline  (2106),  Black-throated  (Saxicola  acci- 
dentalis)  (2114),  Black-eared  (S.  stapazina)  (21 14  a),  Western  Black- 
eared  (S.  catarinae)  (2114b),  and  Desert  Wheatears  (2115)  have 
occurred  as  stragglers. 

The  ninth  and  last  subfamily  (Sialiina)  contains  some  strikingly 
handsome  forms,  such  as  the  American  Sialia  sialis  (21 13)  and  Grandala 
ccelicolor  (2111),  found  on  the  highest  parts  of  the  Himalaya  at  elevations 
of  from  15,000  to  17,000  feet. 

Family  XI.  SYLVIID.E.     WARBLERS. 

rCase  75 1  ^e  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  (Prinia  and  Cisticola),  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-  (2118),  Sedge-  (2123),  Marsh- 
(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  Pallas'  Grasshopper- Warbler 


PERCHING-BIRDS. 


121 


(21 18  a),  the  Rufous  (2117),  Aquatic  (2122),  Great  Reed-  (shewn  with 
its  nest  at  the  foot  of  the  Case)  (2141 ),  Melodious  (2133),  Icterine  (2132), 
and  Radde's  Warblers  (2 14 2),  the  Northern  (2 145  a),  Greenish  (2152), 
Pallas'  (2153),  and  the  Yellow-browed  (2154)  Willow- Warblers,  the 
Northern  Chiff chaff  (2143  a),  the  Sub-alpine  (2155),  Barred  (2156), 
Orphean  (2157),  Sardinian  (2157  a),  and  Cetti's  (2157  b)  Warblers; 
while  Savi's  Warbler  (2158),  to  be  seen  with  its  nest  at  the  foot  of 
the  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  Malurus  (2159-63),  chiefly  found  in  Australia  ;  and 
the  Emu- Wren  (Stipiturus  malachurus)  (2167)  from  the  same  country 
is  worthy  of  note,  on  account  of  its  long  spiny  tail-feathers  with  curious 
decomposed  webs. 

Family  XII.  VIREONID^E.     GREENLETS. 

This  small  family,  including  about  sixty  arboreal  species,  mostly  [Case  75.] 
olive  or  greenish  in  colour,  is  peculiar  to  the  New  World.  Though 
evidently  allied  to  the  Shrikes,  which  they  resemble  in  the  notched  bill 
beset  with  bristles,  the  young  in  first  plumage  do  not  differ  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^;.     CHATTERERS. 

The  Chatterers  form  a  somewhat  ill-defined  family,  belonging  to  the  [Case  76.] 
group  of  Passeres,  which  possesses  only  nine  primary  quills.  They  are 
chiefly  northern  in  their  habitat,  but  certain  tropical  genera  are  found 
in  North  and  Central  America.  The  best  known  of  the  Chatterers  is 
the  Wax  wing  (Ampelis  garrulus)  (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.  cedrorum)  (2180). 


122  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Family  XIV.  ARTAMIU^E.     SWALLOW-SHRIKES. 

[Case  75.]  The  Wood-Swallows,  as  they  are  sometimes  called,  constitute  a  small 
group  of  birds  characterised  by  their  pointed  greyish-blue  bill  and  long 
pointed  wings.  In  their  actions  and  mode  of  life  they  closely  resemble 
the  Swallows.  With  the  exception  of  one  West  African  species,  all  are 
found  in  the  Indian  and  Australian  regions  and  belong  to  the  genus 
Artamus  (2183-7).  The  common  Australian  species  (A.  sordidus)  has  a 
curious  habit  of  hanging  in  great  clusters,  like  a  swarm  of  bees,  from 
the  underside  of  a  branch. 

Family  XV.  VANGID.E.     MADAGASCAR  SHRIKES. 

[Case  76.]  This  small  family  of  Shrikes  includes  six  genera  and  twelve  species, 
all  peculiar  to  Madagascar.  Representative  forms  of  Vantja  (2188)  and 
Leptopterus  (2189)  are  shewn. 

Family  XVI.  PRIONOPID.E.     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  Magpie-Lark  (Grallina 
picata)  (2190),  a  familiar  bird  about  many  Australian  homesteads; 
RiippelPs  Wood- Shrike  (Eurocephalus  rueppelli]  (2193),  exhibited  with 
its  nest,  and  the  helmeted  species  of  Prionops  (2202),  both  from  Africa  ; 
the  Jay-Shrike  (Platylophus  ardesiacus]  (2201),  with  its  remarkable 
long  crest,  from  the  Malay  Peninsula  ;  and  the  peculiar  Hypocolius 
ampelinus  (2205)  from  South-west  Asia.  The  systematic  position  of 
the  latter  bird  (a  pair  of  which  are  exhibited  with  their  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.  LANIIDJB.     SHRIKES  or  BUTCHER-BIRDS. 

[Case  76.]  The  Shrikes  are  a  nearly  cosmopolitan  family  of  birds,  being  found 
everywhere  except  in  South  America.  The  typical  forms  are  character- 
ised by  their  strongly  hooked  notched  bill,  which  somewhat  resembles 
that  of  a  Falcon.  The  young  in  their  first  plumage  differ  from  the 
adult  and  have  the  plumage  barred.  The  smaller  and  weaker  members 
of  the  group  are  insectivorous,  but  the  larger  forms  prey  on  small 
mammals,  birds,  and  reptiles. 


PERCHING-BIRDS.  123 

Of  the  four  subfamilies  recognised  thq  GymnorhiruK  include  some  of 
the  large  forms  such  as  the  Piping  Cro\vs  (Gymnorhina  and  Cracticus) 
(2206-8),  of  Australia,  and  the  remarkable  red  and  black  Pityriasis 
yymnocephala  (2209),  from  Borneo.  The  true  Shrikes  or  Butcher-Birds 
(Lamina:}  derive  their  name  from  their  habit  of  impaling  their  prey 
upon  the  thorns  which  surround  their  nest,  and  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  collurio)  (2218),  a 
summer  visitor,  breeding  in  England  and  the  South  of  Scotland.  The 
Great  Grey  (2214),  the  Lesser  Grey  (2215),  and  the  Woodchat  (2219)% 
Shrikes  are  occasional  visitors  to  Britain,  and  there  is  evidence  that  the 
last  species  has  bred  on  more  than  one  occasion  in  the  south.  The 
Masked  Shrike  (L.  nubicus)  (2217)  is  said  to  have  been  procured  in  Kent 
once. 

Among  the  African  subfamily  Malaconotina  we  find  some  most 
brilliantly  coloured  forms,  such  as  the  species  of  Laniarius  (2223-30). 

The  Pachycephalince  are  a  large  group  of  smaller  forms  ranging  from 
Australia  and  Polynesia  to  Borneo  and  the  Philippines.  One  of  the 
largest  and  most  handsomely  marked  species  is  the  Australian  Falcun- 
culus  frontalis  (2243),  a  pair  of  which  are  exhibited  with  their  nest. 

Family  XVIII.  PARID^E.     TITS  or  TITMICE. 

The  numerous  small  birds  comprising  this  family  are  spread  over  all  [Case  77.] 
the  northern  parts  of  the  Old  and  New  World,  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,  and,  in 
company  with  Golden-Crested  Wrens,  Tree-Creepers,  Nuthatches  and 
other  small  birds,  traverse  the  woods  in  search  of  insect-food.  The 
majority  place  their  somewhat  roughly  made  open  nest  in  holes  in  trees 
or  walls,  but  the  Long-tailed  Tits  (jEgithalus]  (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.  The  Northern  Msrsh-Tit 
(2266  a)  is  an  accidental  visitor.  Of  the  exotic  species,  one  of  the  most 
striking  is  the  Sultan-Titmouse  (Melanochlora  sultanea)  (2262) from  the 
Indo-Chinese  countries,  conspicuous  on  account  of  its  long  yellow  crest. 


124  BIRD  GALLERY. 

Family  XIX.  PANURID.E.     BEARDED  TITS. 

[Case  77.]  The  sole  representative  of  this  family  is  the  Bearded  Tit  or  Bearded 
Reedliiig  (Panurus  biarmicus)  (2249),  which  is  still  found  as  a  resident 
in  the  Norfolk  Broads  and  ranges  across  Europe  to  Central  Asia.  It 
was  formerly  more  widely  distributed  over  the  southern  counties  of 
England,  but  the  draining  of  the  reedy-fens  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  mollusca,  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 
white,  streaked  with  wavy  lines  of  brownish-black. 

Family  XX.  CHAM^EID^;.     WREN-TITS. 

[Case  77.]  Three  American  species  of  Chamcea  (2268),  peculiar  to  the  dried 
plains  and  bushy  hill-sides  of  Oregon  and  California,  are  the  repre- 
sentatives of  this  family.  In  their  habits  and  general  appearance  they 
resemble  the  Wrens. 

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  (Regulus 
cristatus)  (2269),  a  resident  British  species  and  the  smallest  of  our  native 
birds,  ranges  across  Europe  and  Northern  Asia.  Its  cup-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.  ignicapillus]  (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  in  having  a  red 
crest. 

Family  XXII.  SITTID.E.     NUTHATCHES. 

[Case  77.]  The  Nuthatches,  of  which  our  common  species  Sitta  ceesia  (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 


PERCHING-BIRDS.  125 

North  America,  Europe,  and  Asia  are  their  home,  and  eastwards,  allied 
forms  (Neositta)  (2279-81)  occur  in  New  Guinea  and  Australia,  while 
one  genus  (JBypositta)  is  found  in  Madagascar.  Like  its  allies,  the 
Common  Nuthatch  is  a  resident  species,  and  ranges  from  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  Australian  Neositta  makes  a  small 
funnel-shaped  nest  placed  in  a  forked  branch  of  a  tree  (2281). 

Family  XXIII.  CERTHIID^E.     TREE-CREEPERS. 

The  typical  Tree- Creepers  (Certhia)  (2348-50)  are  distinguished  from  [Case  77.] 
other  Acromyodian  Passeres  by  having  long  stiff-pointed  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  (Certhia familiaris)  (2348),  a  well- 
known  British  resident,  places  its  nest  in  holes  and  crevices  in  trees  and 
walls  and  lays  white  eggs  spotted  with  red  and  lilac.  The  beautiful  Wall- 
Creeper  (Tichodroma  muraria)  (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.  ZOSTEROPID.E.     WHITE-EYES. 

The  numerous  small  species  of  Zosterops  (2283-7)  derive  their  name  [Case  77.] 
"  White-eye  "from  the  ring  of  white  feathers  which  encircles  the  eye  in 
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  BIRD  GALLERY. 


Family  XXV.  DICJEID^.     FLOWER-PECKERS. 

[Case  77.]       These  small  birds  are  allied  to  the  Sun-  birds,  but  are  distinguished 
.  by  having  a  much  shorter'  bill  which  is  serrated  along  the  edges  of  both 
mandibles. 

They  range  from  India  and  the  Indo-Malayan  countries,  through  New 
Guinea  to  Australia,  and  a  few  representatives  are  found  on  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  Dic&um  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  Tit-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  and  feathers. 

Family  XXVI.  NECTARINIID^E.     SUN-BIRDS. 

[Case  77.]  In  their  brilliant  metallic  plumage  and  outward  appearance  the 
Sun-birds  bear  a  strong  superficial  resemblance  to  the  Trochilidte,  and 
are  often  mistaken  for  them.  A  notable  case  is  that  of  Cinnyris  osea 
(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 
very  different  from  one  another  in  coloration,  except  in  Arachnothera 
(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 
flowers  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  ^Etho- 
pyga  magnified  (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  robusta]  (2307)  sewn  to 
the  under  side  of  a  broad  leaf,  displays  a  different  type  of  structure. 

Family  XXVII.  DREPANIDID.E.     HAWAIIAN  HONEY-SUCKERS. 

[Case  77.]  This  small  but  interesting  family  includes  a  number  of  curious  forms 
peculiar  to  the  hill  forests  of  the  Sandwich  Islands.  Some,  such  as  the 


PERCHINQ-BIRDS.  127 

Long-billed  Hemignatlms  (Hemignathus  procerus)  (2341),  resemble  the 
Sun-birds,  but  the  bill  is  not  serrated,  others  have  the  bill  stout  and 
Finch-like,  while  in  one  remarkable  form,  Pseudonestor  (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  pacified)  (2347)  and  the 
scarlet  feathers  of  the  "  Jiwi"  (  Vestiaria  coccinea)  (2342).  The  former 
bird,  a  drawing  of  which  is  exhibited  in  the  Case,  is  now  almost 
extinct. 

Family  XXVIII.  MELIPHAGID.E.     HONEY-SUCKERS. 

The  Honey-suckers  are  one  of  the  most  characteristic  families  of  [Case  78.] 
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  honey  and  small 
insects  from  the  cups  of  flowers.  Two  subfamilies  are  recognised  :  the 
Myzomelince,  including  the  smaller  species  such  as  Myzomela  (2315-7), 
with  the  general -appearance  of  Sun-birds  ;  and  the  Meliphaginae.  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.  Among 
the  species  exhibited  we  may  call  attention  to  the  following : — Ptilotis 
gracilis  (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  novae  zealandice)  (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  cage-bird  on 
account  of  its  sweet  notes  and  powers  of  mimicry.  The  Large  Wattled 
Honey-eater  (Acanthochara  carunculata)  (2339),  a  native  of  Australia,  is 
exhibited  with  its  nest  and  eggs.  The  Friar-Bird  (Philemon  corniculatus) 
(2329),  also  from  Australia,  has  a  bare  head  and  curious  horn  at  the 
base  of  the  bill.  It  will  be  noted  in  the  skeleton  of  this  species  that 
the  horn  is  supported  by  a  bony  core.  Lastly,  Turati's  Honey-eater 
(Melidectes  emilit)  (2321),  a  curious  form  with  large  wattles  on  the 
throat,  is  peculiar  to  New  Guinea. 

Family  XXIX.  MNIOTILTID.E.     AMERICAN  WARBLERS. 

These  birds  are  entirely  confined  to  the  American  region  and  may  be  [Case  78.] 
regarded  as  representing  the  Sylviidce  of  the  Old  World.     Generally 
speaking  they  resemble  the  Warblers  in  their  mode  of  life,  but  some, 
such  as  Mniotilta  varia  (2359),  are  more  like  Creepers  and  run  up  trees 


BIRD  GALLERY. 


with  almost  the  same  facility.  They  differ  from  our  Warblers  in  having 
only  nine  primary  quills  and  in  being  more  brightly  coloured.  About 
a  hundred  and  fifty  species  have  been  distinguished,  but  it  is  doubtful 
whether  some  of  the  genera  included  in  this  family  should  not  be  placed 
elsewhere,  the  "  American  Redstarts "  (Setophaga)  (2366-7)  being 
referred  by  certain  authors  to  the  Flycatchers,  which  they  resemble  in 
appearance  and  habits,  while  others  appear  to  have  more  affinity  to  the 
Wrens,  Greenlets,  and  Tanagers  respectively.  The  most  numerously 
represented  genus  Dendrceca  (2354-8)  includes  nearly  forty  species,  of 
which  the  Golden  Warbler  (D.  cestiva]  (2354)  is  one  of  the  most  familiar 
North  American  birds.  A  specimen  obtained  in  Durham  in  May  1904 
was  supposed  to  have  been  an  accidental  straggler.  The  cup- shaped 
nest  of  this  bird  and  other  allied  forms  is  placed  in  trees  and  bushes, 
and  the  eggs  are  spotted  with  reddish  brown,  lilac,  and  grey. 

Family  XXX.  MOTACILLID^E.     WAGTAILS  AND  PIPITS. 

[Case  78.]  The  nine-quilled  Passeres  included  in  this  family  range  over  the 
greater  part  of  the  World,  but  are  absent  in  Polynesia.  As  in  the  Larks, 
the  inner  secondary  quills  are  greatly  lengthened  and  as  long  as  the 
primaries.  With  the  exception  of  two  species  which  occur  in  North- 
west America,  the  Wagtails  (Motacilla]  (2368-74)  are  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 
ground.  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  in  their  form 
and  movements.  Five  species  visit  and  breed  in  the  British  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,  although  it  has  been  known  to  breed, 
can  only  be  regarded  as  an  irregular  visitor  on  migration.  The  Grey- 
headed (M.  viridis)  (2373  a)  and  the  Black-headed  (M.  melanocephala) 
(2373  b)  have  also  been  recorded,  the  former  as  breeding.  The  Pipits 
(Anthus]  are  generally  to  be  distinguished  by  their  sombre  brown  coloring, 
the  most  notable  exception  being  the  East  African  Tmetothylacus  tenellus 
(2383),  which  has  most  of  the  plumage  yellow.  In  external  appearance 
and  habits  they  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  Macronyx  (2386-7)  includes  several 


PI5RCHING-B1RDS.  129 

species  with  brightly  coloured  under  parts  bearing  a  strange  superficial 
resemblance  to  certain  American  species  of  "  Meadow-Lark  "  (Sturnella] 
belonging  to  the  family  Icteridte  (p.  132).  The  Common  Cuckoo  fre- 
quently places  her  egg  in  the  nests  of  Wagtails  and  Pipits,  the  Titlark 
or  Meadow-Pipit  (A.  pratensis)  (2376)  being'.a  favourite  host. 

Family  XXXT.  ALAUDID.E.     LARKS. 

Of  the  hundred  or  more  species  recognised,  the  majority  are  inhab-  [Case 
itants  of  the  Old  World,  but  the  Horned  or  Shore-Larks  (Otocorys) 
(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  Lullula  prefer  the  vicinity  of 
bushes  or  copses,  and  frequently  perch,  while  Otocorys,  except  during  the 
winter  months,  dwells  on  the  high  uplands.  The  habit  of  soaring  while 
uttering  their  song  is  common  to  the  group,  and  with  the  exception  of 
a  few  species  of  Mirafra,  all  nest  on  the  ground.  The  eggs  are  generally 
white,  closely  spotted  with  brown  and  grey.  As  in  the  Wagtails  and  Pipits 
the  inner  secondary  quills  are  greatly  developed  and  equal  in  length  to 
the  primaries,  but  the  Larks  are  distinguished  from  these  and  other 
Passerine  birds  by  having  the  hinder  aspect  of  the  metatarsus  scutel- 
lated  or  covered  with  scales.  The  Sky-Lark  (Alauda  arvensis]  (2389), 
and  the  Wood-Lark  (Lullula  arborea]  (2390)  are  the  only  resident 
species  in  the  British  Islands,  but  the  European  Horned  Lark  (Otocorys 
alpestris)  (2394)  is  a  more  or  less  regular  winter  visitor,  and  the  Crested 
(2388),  Short-toed  (2399),  White-winged  (2400),  and  Black  (2400  a) 
Larks  are  occasional  stragglers  to  our  shores.  The  Finch-Larks 
(Pyrrhulaudu]  (2397-8)  have  short  thick  bills,  and  form  a  rather 
distinct  genus  with  the  sexes  differing  in  colour. 

Family  XXXII.  FRINGILLID^E.     FINCHES  and  BUNTINGS. 

The  Finches  form  one  of  the  largest  families  of  Song-birds  and  [Cases 
number  about  six  hundred  species,  which  are  nearly  universally  distri-  '  * 
buted.  As  may  be  inferred  from  the  structure  of  their  short,  stout, 
conical  bill,  they  live  principally  on  seeds.  In  many  species  the  summer- 
dress  is  gained  not  by  moult,  but  by  the  shedding  of  the  edges  of  the 
winter  plumage,  so  that  the  underlying  pattern  comes  into  prominence. 
The  change  thus  effected  is  specially  marked  in  the  male  of  the  Snow- 
Bunting  (Plectrophenax  nivalis)  (2473),  the  rufescent  winter  dress 
becoming  entirely  black  and  white  in  summer.  Three  subfamilies  are 
recognised  :  the  Grosbeaks  (Coccothraustina),  the  true  Finches  (Fringil- 
lince],  and  the  Buntings  (Emberizina] ,  characterised  in  the  typical  forms 

K 


J30  BIRD  GALLERY. 

by  marked  differences  in  the  shape  of  the  bill.  To  the  former  belong 
the  Hawfinch  (Coccothraustes)  (2404)  and  Greenfinch  (Chloris]  (2412V- 
both  well-known  British  species,  as  well  as  a  large  number  of  thick- 
billed  forms,  such  as  the  brilliantly  coloured  Crested  Cardinals 
(Cardinal**)  (2417),  chiefly  found  in  America. 

Of  the  Fringillince  many  are  included  in  the  British  List.  Those  that 
breed  are  the  Chaffinch  (2419),  Goldfinch  (2422),  Siskin  (2426), 
Linnet  (2433),  Lesser  Redpoll  (2434),  Twite  (2431),  House-Sparrow 
(2439),  Tree-Sparrow  (2438),  Crossbill  (2454),  and  Bullfinch  (2461)  ; 
the  Brambling  (2420)  and  Mealy  Redpoll  (2432)  are  winter-visitors ; 
while  the  Serin  Finch  (2457),  Citril  (2457  a),  Snow-Finch  (2457  b), 
Parrot  Crossbill  (2453),  Two-banded  Crossbill  (2459),  Rose-Finch 
(2458),  and  Pine-Grosbeak  (2509)  are  accidental  visitors.  The  Crossbill 
is  an  instance  of  peculiar  modification,  the  mandibles  crossing  each 
other  in  front,  and  enabling  the  bird  not  only  to  open  fir-cones,  on 
the  seeds  of  which  it  principally  feeds,  but  to  use  its  bill  for  climbing 
like  a  Parrot.  Other  notable  forms  are  the  Saffron-Finches  (Sycalis) 
(2447)  of  South  America,  frequently  kept  as  cage-birds,  but  generally  too 
pugnacious  to  live  with  other  species  ;  the  handsome  Rhynchostruthus 
socotranus  (2434  a),  peculiar  to  the  island  of  Sokotra;  and  the  brilliant 
scarlet  Sepoy-Finch  (Carpodacus  sipahi]  (2449)  from  the  Himalaya. 

The  Buntings  (Emberizince]  are  also  well  represented  in  the  British 
List,  the  breeding-species  being  the  Common  or  Corn-  (2467),  Yellow 
(2471),  Ciri  (2470),  Reed-  (2463),  and  Snow-  (2473)  Buntings,  while 
the  Black-headed  (2462),  Ortolan  (2465),  Yellow-breasted  (2466), 
Siberian  Meadow-  (2475),  Meadow-  (2475  a),  Rustic  (2476),  Little 
(247 7),  Large-billed  Reed-  (2463  a),  and  Lapland  (2474)  Bantings  are 
accidental  visitors.  A  large  number  of  American  genera  are  also 
included  in  this  group;  some,  such  as  Cyanospiza  (2482-4)  and 
Paroaria  (2506),  containing  brightly  coloured  species. 

Family  XXXIII.  CCEREBIDA:.     AMERICAN  CREEPERS. 

[Case  80.]  The  American  Creepers  or  Quit-Quits  are  a  nine-primaried  family, 
allied  to  the  Tanagers,  but  in  their  habits  and  other  points  they  resemble 
the  Tits  (Paridee)  and  Creepers  (Certhiidae)  of  the  Old  World.  The  bill 
is  usually  slender,  sometimes  conical  or  strongly  hooked  at  the  tip  as 
in  Diglossa  (2516-9),  and  the  extensile  tongue  is  forked  and  fringed  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,  such  as  the  Blue  Creeper 
(Cyanerpes  cyanea)  (2528),  have  become  an  article  of  trade  for  the  orna- 
mentation of  women's  hats.  The  Banana-Quit  (Ccereba  flaveola)  (2629) 


PEKCHING-BIIIDS.  131 

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

Family  XXXIV.  TANAGRID.E.     TANAGERS. 

These  brilliantly  coloured  nine-primaried  birds  of  the  New  World  [Case  80.] 
are  closely  related  to  the  Finches,  but  may  generally  be  distinguished 
by  possessing  a  notch  towards  the  end  of  the  upper  mandible.  Some  are, 
however,  very  closely  related  to  the  Finches,  others  to  the  Ccerebidce  and 
Mniotiltidae.  About  three  hundred  and  fifty  species  are  recognised,  many 
of  which  are  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  Chlorochrysa  (2534-5), 
Calliste  (2543-53) ,Rhamphoccelus  (2561),  and  Pyranga  (2565-7)  ;  some 
of  which  are  frequently  imported  as  cage-birds  into  Europe. 

Family  XXXV.  PLOCEID^:.     WEAVER-FINCHES. 

The  Weaver-Birds  are  nearly  related  to  the  Finches,  but  may  be  [Case  81.] 
distinguished  by  possessing  ten  primary  quills.  They  form  a  somewhat 
numerous  family  of  brightly  coloured  birds,  distributed  over  the  African, 
Indian,  and  Australian  regions.  The  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.  Numerous  examples  of  their  architecture  will  be 
found  exhibited  in  the  Case.  Many  species  have  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  Heterhyphantes 
(2636),  Hyphantornis  (2638-40),  and  Ploceus  (2641);  while  some  develop 
long  ornamental  tail-feathers  such  as  Vidua  (2584),  Penthetria  (2585), 
and  Chera  (2586). 

Two  subfamilies  are  recognised,  the  Viduirue,  in  which  the  first 
primary  is  very  small  and  falcate,  and  the  Ploceinee,  with  the  first 
primary  large  and  obtuse. 

To  the  first  section  belong  the  Viduas  or  Whydah-birds  ( Vidua  prin- 
cipalis  (2584)  and  Chera  progne  (2586)),  remarkable  for  their  habit  of 
soaring  during  the  breeding-season.  Rising  to  a  considerable  height^ 
they  hover  in  the  air,  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, 

K2 


132  BIRD  GALLERY. 

such  as  the  species  of  Munia  (2610-4),  Poephila  (2624-5;,  and  Estrilda 
(2628-31),  and  the  lovely  Erythrura  (2619-20).  Of  the  numerous 
species  that  build  in  colonies  the  Sociable  Weavers  (Philceterus  socius] 
(2645)  of  South  Africa  is  perhaps  one  of  the  most  interesting.  By 
the  united  workmanship  of  a  large  number  of  birds,  an  umbrella, 
shaped  structure  of  sticks  and  straw  is  erected  among  the  branches  of  a 
tree,  and  from  the  underside  of  this  thatched  roof  each  pair  suspend 
their  nest  woven  of  dry  grass,  and  rear  their  young,  secure  from  the 
attacks  of  snakes  and  other  enemies. 

Of  the  Ploceince,  the  most  familiar  is  the  common  Indian  species, 
Ploceus  baya  (2641),  which  suspends  its  flask-shaped  nest  with  a  long 
tubular  entrance  from  a  branch  overhanging  the  water.  This  species 
invariably  lays  white  eggs,  but  some  of  the  African  forms  of  Hyphant- 
ornis  (2638-40)  and  Pyromelana  (2588-9)  lay  eggs  of  several  types, 
and  the  same  nest  may  contain  white,  pale  blue,  or  green  eggs,  uniform 
or  spotted  with  red. 

Family  XXXVI.  ICTERIDJS.     HANG-NESTS.     (Plate  XXI.  fig.  2.) 

TCases       These  birds  represent  the  Starlings  and  Weavers  in  the  New  World, 
81  &  82.  J  an(j  include  a  large  number  of  species  possessing  only  nine  primary 
quills.     Five  subfamilies  are  recognised.      The  Cassiques   (Cassicinae) 
are  forest-birds  mostly  of  large  size,  one  of  the  largest  being  the  Central 
American     (Gymnostinops    montezuma}      (2647).      The    Maize  -  Birds 
(Agefainft}  are  ground-haunting  species  frequenting  the  open  pastures, 
prairie-lands,  and  pampas.      They  include   the   Bobolink   (Dolichonyx 
oryzivorus)  (2654)  and  the  especially  interesting  Cow-birds  (Molothrus) 
(2655)  [PI.  XXI.  fig.  2],  in  which  the  polygamous  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  rivalled   by 
the  Baltimore  Oriole   (Icterus  baltimore)  (2670),   a  well-known  repre- 
sentative of  the  true  Hang-nests  (Icterinae).     This  species  and  many 
of    its    allies    are    of     brilliant   black-and-yellow    plumage,    and    for 
this  reason  are  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,  Quiscalinae,  characterised  by  the  long 
stout  metatarsi  suited  to  a  terrestrial  life.     Lastly,  the  Sturnellinae, 
including   the    Troupials    (Trupialis)    (2668  a)   and   ''Meadow-Larks" 
(Sturnella]  (2668),  are  remarkable  on  account  of  their  extraordinary 
mimetic    resemblance   to    the   Pipits,    more   especially  of   the    genus 
Macronyx  (p.  128),  their  lengthened  inner  secondaries  and  strong  feet 
adapting  them  to  their  purely  terrestrial  life.     Many  of  the  species 


PERCHlNG-BlRfcS.  133 

breed  in  colonies,  the  Agelceina  and  Quiscalina  making  cup-shaped  nests, 
while  the  Icterince  and  Cassicirue  build  elaborate  structures,  which  rival 
those  of  the  Weavers. 

Family  XXXVII.  ORIOLID^E.     ORIOLES. 

The  Orioles  form  a  well-marked  group  of  brightly  coloured  birds,  [Case  82.] 
mostly  of  a  golden  yellow  contrasting  with  deep  black.  They  are 
entirely  confined  to  the  Old  World,  and  range  from  Africa,  through 
Europe  and  Asia,  to  Australia.  They  are  arboreal  in  their  habits,  and 
feed  on  fruits,  especially  cherries,  and  insects.  The  Golden  Oriole 
(Oriolus  galbula)  (2705)  is  an  annual  spring  migrant  to  the  south  of 
England,  and,  if  unmolested,  would  breed  there  regularly.  Its  cradle- 
like  nest  is  skilfully  suspended  in  the  fork  of  a  branch,  and  the  eggs 
are  white,  blotched  with  reddish-purple.  Oriolus  trailli  (2712).  with 
its  crimson  and  black  plumage,  represents  a  differently  coloured  section 
of  the  genus,  met  with  in  Eastern  Asia,  and  Sphecotheres  (2710-1)  is 
the  representative  form  in  Australia  and  New  Guinea. 

Family  XXXVIII.  DICRURID^J.     DRONGOS. 

These  Crow-like  P'lycatchers  form  one  of  the  best-defined  families  of  L^ase  "2.J 
Passeres,  and  range  from  Africa,  India,  and  China  through  the  Malayan 
Ai'chipelago  to  Australia.  In  nearly  all  the  species  the  plumage  is 
black  and  the  tail  strongly  forked,  especially  in  the  species  of  Buchanga 
( 2699),  and  in  some  forms,  such  as  Dissemurus  (2700)  and  Bhringa  (2701) , 
the  outer  tail-feathers  are  greatly  prolonged,  ending  in  a  "  racket " ; 
while  others,  such  as  Chibia  (2695),  have  a  long  hairy  crest  of  barbless 
plumes.  They  feed  habitually  on  the  wing,  darting  from  some  perch 
on  a  tree  to  catch  passing  insects.  The  Larger  Racket-tailed  Drongo 
(Dissemurus  paradiseus}  (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.  EURYCEROTID^;.     MADAGASCAR  STARLINGS. 

Euryceros prevosti  (2693),  a  native  of  Madagascar,  is  the  sole  repre-  [Case  82.] 
seutative  of  this  family,  and  is  remarkable  on  account  of  its  abnormally 
deep  and  stout  bill. 

Family  XL.  EULABETID.E.     TREE-STARLINGS. 

The  Starlings  included  in  this  family  differ  from  the  true  Starlings  [Case  83.] 
(Sturnida)  in  being  strictly  arboreal  in  their  hnbits,  in  being  provided 


134  BIRD  GALLERY. 

with  bristles,  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  and  in  laying  spotted  eggs.  They 
range  from  Africa,  through  India  and  the  Moluccaii  Islands,  to 
Australia.  The  most  familiar  are  the  Grackles  or  Talking  Mynas 
(Eulabes)  (2727-8),  many  of  which  are  well-known  cage-birds,  and  can 
be  easily  taught  to  repeat  words  or  sounds. 

To  this  group  also  belong  the  beautiful  Glossy  Starlings  (Lampro- 
colius)  (2747-8)  of  Africa,  the  remarkable  Yellow-breasted  Cosmopsarus 
reyim  (2741)  of  Somaliland,  and  Calornis  (2736-8)  of  the  Indian  and 
Australian  regions. 

Family  XLI.  STURNID^S.     STARLINGS. 

[Case  83.1  This  widely-distributed  group  is  peculiar  to  the  Old  World.  The 
young  in  first  plumage  are  streaked,  and  in  this  respect  Starlings  differ 
from  the  Crows,  but  they  resemble  the  latter  in  their  mode  of  progres- 
sion, walking,  instead  of  hopping  like  Finches  and  most  of  the  other 
Passeres.  The  Common  Starling  (Sturnus  vulyaris)  (2716)  is  a  common 
resident  in  the  British  Islands,  its  numbers  being  augmented  by  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  in  cherry-orchards.  Another  species 
which  has  occurred  as  a  straggler  in  our  islands  is  the  Rose-coloured 
Pastor  (Pastor  roseus)  (2719).  Basileornis  (2723-4)  is  represented  by 
a  fine  crested  species  found  in  Ceram.  A  curious  aberrant  form  is  the 
Ox-pecker  or  Rhinoceros  Bird  (Buphayd)  (2751),  so-called  on  account  of 
its  habit,  shared  with  other  members  of  the  family,  of  settling  on  the 
backs  of  cattle,  camels,  &c.,  to  extract  the  grubs  which  infest  them. 

Family  XLII.  PTILONORHYNCHID^E.     BOWER-BIRDS. 
(Plates  XXIII.  fig.  2,  &  XXIV.) 

[Central  The  Bower-Birds,  which  are  undoubtedly  closely  allied  to  the  Birds 
Table-  of  Paradise  and  Crows,  are  peculiar  to  New  Guinea  and  Australia. 
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  bowers  are  built  long  before  the  birds  begin  to  construct 
their  nest,  which  is  placed  in  a  tree. 

The  species  of  Ptilonorhynchus  (2752),  Chlamydodera  (2753-5),  and 
Sericulus  (2756)  construct  arbour-like  galleries  of  uncertain  length, 
ornamented  with  shells,  bright  feathers,  and  other  decorative  materials. 
Newton's  Bovver-Bird  (Prionodura)  (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  Bower-Birds  (Amblyornis)  (2758)  build  a 


1»ERCHING-BIRDS.  185 

miniature  cabin  made  of  different  mosses,  and  surround  it  with  a  tiny 
perfectly-kept  meadow  of  moss,  studded  with  brilliantly  coloured  flowers, 
fruits,  and  insects,  which,  as  they  become  faded,  are  constantly  replaced. 
The  drawings  on  the  adjoining  pillar  represent  the  widely  different 
gardens  and  bowers  of  Amblyornis  subalaris  (2758  a)  [PL  XXIV.],  and     . 
A.  inornata  (2758)  [PI.  XXIII.  fig.  2] .     The  beautiful  "  Play-house  »  of 
the  former  species  is  exhibited  in  a  separate  case.      It  was  recently      [Table- 
procured  in  the  Owen  Stanley  Range,  British  New  Guinea,  and  was 
received    in   its    present    perfect    condition.      The    handsome    Green 
Cat-Birds    (^Eluroedus)    (2759),    so    far   as    is    known,    are    the   only 
members  of  the  family  which  do  not  construct  a  bower. 

Family  XLIII.  PARADISEID^E.     PARADISE-BIRDS. 

The  Birds  of  Paradise  are  among  the  most  gorgeously  attired  [Central 
birds,  and  are  confined  to  the  forests  of  New  Guinea  and  the  neigh- 
bouring islands,  as  well  as  Australia.  Skins  of  some  of  the  larger 
kinds  were  formerly  articles  of  commerce,  and  are  still  exported  in 
some  numbers  for  decorative  purposes.  About  a  hundred  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,  spreading  out  his 
long  flank-feathers,  to  form  a  bower,  in  which  the  female  built  her 
nest  !  Thus  it  was  that,  in  1766,  Linnaeus  actually  named  the  largest 
form  Paradisea  apoda  (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 
ornamental  plumes.  A  very  fine  series,  including  representative  forms 
of  almost  every  genus,  is  exhibited  in  the  Central  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-Violet  Manucode  (Phonyyama  purpureo-violacea)  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. 


136  BIRD   (iALLKHY. 

Family  XLIV.  CORVID*;.     CROWS. 

[Cases  By  almost  common  consent  the  birds  of  this  family  are  placed  at  the 

83,  84.]   nea(j  Of  t|)e  Class  Aves.     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. 

In  the  Crow  we  find  the  most  highly-developed  type  of  wing  and 
foot.  In  the  former  every  quill  and  wing-covert  is  perfectly  formed  ; 
and  in  the  latter  all  the  scales  on  the  metatarsi  and  toes  are  more 
strongly  indicated  than  in  any  other  Passerine  bird. 

The  distribution  of  the  family  is  nearly  universal. 

Three  subfamilies  are  recognised  :  the  True  Crows  (Corvince),  Magpies 
and  Jays  (Garrulince) ,  and  the  Choughs  (Freyilirue} . 

[Case  84.]  Of  the  former  the  best-known  examples  are  the  Raven  (2793), 
Carrion-Crow  (2796),  Hooded  Crow  (2797),  Rook  (2792),  and  Jack- 
daw (2801),  all  well-known  British  residents;  also  the  Nutcracker 
(Nucifraga  caryocatactes)  (2806  ,  an  irregular  visitor  to  England.  A 
remarkable  African  form  is  found  in  Corvultur  (2794-5),  which  has 
a  greatly  developed  upper  mandible. 

Our  Magpie  (2810)  and  Jay  (2823)  represent  the  second  subfamily 
(Garrulirwe) ,  with  which  are  also  associated  various  striking  Oriental 
forms,  such  as  Urocissa  (2822),  Dendrncitta  (281 9-20) ,  and  Cissa  (281 5-1 6), 
and  the  American  genera  Xanthxra  (2831-2)  and  Cyanocorax  (2829-30). 
[Case  83.]  1^ie  third  subfamily,  Fregilinee,  includes  our  Common  Chough  (Gra- 
culus}  (2837)  and  the  Alpine  Chough  (Pyrrkocorax)  (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  (Picatkartes)  (2840),  the  New  Zealand  Kokako  or  Wattled  Crow 
(Glaucopis)  (2839),  and  the  Huia  (Heterolucha  acutirostris)  (2838).  In 
this  New  Zealand  bird  the  two  sexes  exhibit  a  different  form  of  bill,  that 
of  the  male  being  moderately  powerful,  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,  chiselling  out  the  concealed  grubs  like  a  Wood- 
pecker, while  the  female  inserts  her  long  bill  into  holes,  into  which  the 
hardness  of  the  surrounding  wood  prevents  the  male  from  penetrating. 
When  the  male  is  unable  to  reach  some  larva,  the  female  has  been 
observed  to  come  to  his  aid,  and  with  her  longer  and  more  slender  beak 
secure  the  hidden  prey. 


137 


APPENDIX  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 — Aves — 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  feathers  is  alone  sufficient  to  distinguish 
Birds  from  all  other  animals. 

Feathers  [Figs.  ].-3A.] — The  feathers  of  Birds  correspond  to 
the  scales  of  Reptiles.  A  typical  feather  consists  of  a  long  tapering 
shaft  or  stem  (rhachis)  (fig.  3  i),  bearing  on  each  side  for  the 
greater  part  of  its  length  a  broad  elastic  web  or  vane  (2).  The  part  of 
the  shaft  to  which  the  vanes  are  attached  is  four-sided,  solid,  grooved 
along  its  under  surface,  arid  very  pliant.  Below  the  vane,  the  stem  is 
hollow  and  transparent,  and  is  known  as  the  " quill"  or  calamus  (3). 
The  vane  is  made  up  of  a  number  of  flattened  plates  know  as  barbs  or 
rami  (fig.  3A  i)  set  obliquely  on  the  shaft  and  held  together  by  a 
very  complex  arrangement  of  interlocking  processes  called  barbules  or 
radii  (fig.  3A  2).  Where  these  barbules  are  perfectly  developed 
and  unite  the  barbs,  the  vane  forms  a  continuous  web,  able  to 
withstand  the  resistance  of  the  air  encountered  during  flight,  and 
more  or  less  impervious  to  water.  In  flightless  birds  the  barbules 
are  degenerate,  and  the  barbs  of  the  feathers  being  no  longer  held 
together  are  said  to  be  discontinuous,  as  in  the  Ostrich-tribe,  or  in  the 
tail-feathers  of  the  Lyre-bird. 

In  many  feathers  a  small  shaft  bearing  a  discontinuous  vane  is  found 
attached  to  the  base  of  the  under  surface  of  the  main  shaft  where  it 
passes  into  the  quill.  This  is  called  the  aftershaft  (hyporhachis) 
(fig.  84).  In  the  Cassowaries  and  Emus  among  the  Ostrich-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-plurnes,  and  Powder-down  feathers. 

Contour-feat  tiers  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 


138 


fa. 


Outline  figure  of  the  Topography  of  a  Bird.     Common  Francolin  (Francolinus 

francolinus). 


1 .  Forehead. 

2.  Crown. 

3.  Nape. 

4.  Ear-coverts. 
«5.  Lores. 

6.  Throat. 

7.  Neck. 

8.  Tnterscapular  region  (mantle). 

9.  Scapulars. 

10.  Back. 

11.  Rump. 

12.  Upper  tail-coverts. 


13.  Tail-feathers  (Rectrices). 

14.  Primaries     I  Remiges  or  riight- 

15.  Secondaries  I         feathers. 

16.  Major  wing-coverts. 

17.  Median  wing-coverts. 

18.  Minor  wing-coverts. 

19.  Under  tail-coverts. 

20.  Abdomen. 

21.  Flanks. 

22.  Breast. 

23.  Crop. 

24.  Tarso-metatarsus. 


STRUCTURE  OF  BIRDS. 


139 


Fig.  2. 


Upper  surface  of  Right  Wing  of  a  Bird  extended  to  show  the  relations  between  the 
flight-feathers  and  coverts. 


1.  Primaries     I 


Remiges. 


2.  Secondaries  I 

3.  Major  coverts  of  primaries. 

4.  Major  coverts  of  secondaries. 

5.  Median  coverts. 


6.  Minor  coverts. 

7.  Marginal  coverts. 

8.  Remiges  of  bastard  wing. 

9.  Scapulars. 


Fig.  3. 


Under  surface  of  Contour-feather  showing  aftershaft. 


1.  Shaft  (Rhachis). 

2.  Vaue. 


3.  Quill  (Calamus). 

4.  Aftershaft  (Hyporhachi*}. 


140 


Diagram  showing  (1)  section  of  barbs  (rami)  and  (2,  3)  interlocking 
barbules  (radii).     (After  Pycraft.) 

tail,  in  birds  which  possess  full  powers  of  flight,  are  always  well- 
developed  and  conspicuously  large  (p.  139). 

Semiplumes  are  degenerate  contour-feathers  and  have  discontinuous 
vanes.  Sometimes  they  are  of  great  size  and  beauty  and  are  accordingly 
much  prized  for  decorative  purposes.  For  instance  "  Marabou"  feathers 
are  the  semiplumes  of  the  Marabou  and  Adjutant-Storks. 

Down-feathers  are  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  are 
occasionally  exposed  and  they  form  the  ruff  round  the  neck  of  the 
Condor  and  certain  Vultures.  In  water-birds  these  feathers  form  a 
thick  underclothing  recalling  the  under-fur  of  Mammals,  and  often, 
as  in  the  Swans  and  Eider-Ducks,  have  a  considerable  commercial 
value.  Some  birds,  such  as  the  Grame-birds,  Pigeons,  and  Hornbills, 
have  no  down-feathers. 

Filo-plumes  are  long  hair-like  feathers  bearing  a  minute  vane  at  the 
tip,  and  occur  in  clusters  round  the  base  of  the  contour-feathers.  In 
some  birds,  for  instance  in  the  Cormorants,  they  appear  on  the  surface 
of  certain  parts  of  the  body,  notably  on  the  head  and  neck. 

Powder-down  feathers  occur  only  in  a  few  groups  of  birds,  either 
sparsely  scattered  over  the  body,  as  in  Parrots  and  certain  Hawks,  or  in 
patches  on  the  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  development  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  Ground-  Horn  bill,  and  the  peculiar  tuft  which  hangs  from 
the  breast  of  the  Turkey,  are  degenerate  contour-feathers,  which  have 
lost  their  vanes. 


STRUCTURE  OF  BIRDS.  141 

Except  in  tl-e  Penguins,  the  feathers  of  a  bird  are  never  evenly 
distributed  over  the  body,  but  are  arranged  in  long  rows  or  tracts 
(pterylai)  separated  by  more  or  less  wide  spaces  (apteria).  In  those 
birds  which  have  no  down  the  spaces  may  be  seen  at  once  by  raising  the 
contour-feathers.  The  form  and  arrangement  of  these  tracts  and  spaces 
are  definite,  and  characteristic  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  in  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.  2  i  &i),  overlap  one  another  lateralry, 
so  that  their  free  edges  face  outwards,  towards  the  front  of  the  extended 
wing.  They  are  divided  into  two  series,  primaries  and  secondaries. 
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-seven  (Albatros). 

The  large  quills  of  the  tail  (rectrices)  (fig.  1  13)  serve  for  steering 
purposes.  They  rise,  like  the  ribs  of  a  fan,  from  a  common  base  formed 
by  the  last  bone  of  the  vertebral  column. 

Covering  of  Beak  and  Feet  [Figs.  4,  8,  &  9]. — The  beak  is  always, 
and  the  feet  are  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  are  periodically  shed.  The  horny 
covering  of  the  feet  (podotheca)  is  generally  made  up  of  numerous 
small  pieces  which  take  the  form  of  overlapping  plates  or  scales 

(fig.  4  5,6). 

Oil-glands, — 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  lubricate  and  polish  their 
plumage. 

Moult. — 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. 


142 


BIRD  GALLERY. 


Colour. — The  colour  of  feathers  is  due  to  one  of  three  causes:  — 
(])  It  may  arise  from  the  presence  of  actual  pigment,  (2)  from  pigment 
overlaid  by  colourless  structures,  or  (3)  from  iridescence  due  to  the  effect 
of  light  falling  on  the  polished,  ridged  or  pitted  surfaces  of  the  feather 
which  act  as  prisms. 

Fig.  4. 


,5. 


Side  view  of  Right  Foot  of  a  Purple  Gallinule  (Porphyno)  to  show  the 
composition  of  the  horny  covering  (podotheca). 

1.  Hallux  or  hind  toe. 

2.  Inner  toe. 

3.  Middle  toe. 


4.  Outer  toe. 

5.  Scales  (Scutellce). 

6.  Reticulate  scales. 


Yellow  colour,  like  black,  brown  and  red,  is  as  a  rule  due  to  pigment 
diffused  throughout  the  substance  of  the  feather.  Some  yellow  feathers, 
however,  contain  no  pigment  whatever,  the  colour  being  due  to  the 


STRUCTURE    OP    BIRDS.  143 

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  colourless  layers. 

Turacin  is  a  remarkable  crimson  pigment  found  only  in  the  flight- 
feathers  of  the  Touracos  (p.  100).' 

Blue  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  from  which  the  light 
is  refracted. 

Metallic  colours  are  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  brown  pigment  and  partly  to  the  structure  of 
the  barbules  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  most  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. — The  lungs  are  very  spongy  in  texture  and  are  closely  attached 
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  are  filled  with 
air,  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 
lungs,  but  serve  as  reservoirs  of  air  to  increase  the  voice  during  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  in 
some  cases  all)  of  the  bones  of  the  skeleton  ;  while  in  a  few  Birds  such  as 


BIRD  GALLERY. 

the  Gannets  and  Screamers,  these  sacs  also  penetrate  between  the  muscles 
and  beneath  the  skin.  The  bones  which  contain  these  air-sacs  are 
hollow  or  pneumatic  and  consequently  have  no  marrow.  In  the  Albatroses, 
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,  as  is  also 
the  case  in  Penguins,  Grebes,  Divers,  and  the  smaller  Petrels. 

Skeleton  [Plate  XXV.  figs.  5-7]. — As  regards  the  details  of  the 
structure  of  the  Birds'  skeleton,  we  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.  XXV.  fig.  5i)  become  united  (coalesce)  early  in  life, 


Head  of  a  Falcon  (Hierofalco  islandus)  to  show  (1)  impervious  nostrils, 
and  (2)  tooth-like  process  of  the  bill. 

Fig.  9. 


Head  of  the  Black  Turkey-Vulture  (Cathnristes  urubu)  to  show  (1)  pervious  nostrils. 

about  the  period  when  growth  ceases,  so  that  the  sutures  between  the 
bones,  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.  61), 
the  orbits  are  of  very  large  size  in  accordance  with  the  great  development 
of  the  eye  (fig.  5  4).  The  facial  bones  are  more  or  less  prolonged  and 
united  to  form  the  beak,  which  is  covered  with  a  horny  sheath,  the  edges 
of  which  may  be  notched  (Barbets  and  Falcons)  (fig.  8  2)  or  serrated 
(Mergansers),  but  teeth  are  invariably  absent  in  living  forms.  The 
external  nostrils  are  either  pervious  (fig.  9  1 )  or  separated  from  one 


STRUCTURE  OF  BIRDS.  145 

another  by  a  septum  (fig.  81).  The  bones  of  the  palate  (fig.  62) 
present  four  distinct  types  of  structure,  which  are  of  considerable 
importance  for  purposes  of  classification.  The  differences  between  the 
four  types  may  be  studied  in  the  recess  No.  4  of  the  Central  Hall  and 
in  the  wiudow-case  illustrating  the  classification  of  the  Carinata.  The 
lower  jaw  is  suspended  from  the  skull  by  means  of  a  movable  bone  known 
as  the  quadrate  (fig.  5  2).  The  two  halves  of  the  lower  jaw  (fig.  5s) 
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,  syn sacral,  and  caudal.  (1)  The  cervical  or  neck 
division  (fig.  5  5)  possesses  an  extraordinary  degree  of  flexibility, 
which  is  necessary  owing  to  the  anterior  limbs  having  become  exclusively 
organs  of  locomotion,  and  most  of  the  complicated  movements  executed 
by  those  limbs  in  Mammals  and  Reptiles  have  to  be  performed  in  Birds 
by  the  bill.  The  number  of  vertebra;  of  this  division  varies  from  eight 
to  twenty-three.  (2)  In  many  birds  the  thoracic  vertebrae  (fig.  5  e)  are 
fused  and  form  a  solid  bar  of  bone.  The  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  vertebrse  are  free.  (3)  Thesynsacrum 
(fig.  5  7)  is  a  long  bone,  generally  formed  of  the  last  thoracic  vertebra 
and  the  united  lumbar,  sacral,  and  anterior  caudal  vertebrae,  to  which  the 
iliac  bones  are  immovably  attached.  Although  only  two  of  the  segments 
of  this  series  of  fused  vertebrae  can  be  regarded  as  true  sacrals,  the  whole 
series  is  sometimes  described  as  the  sacrum  and  varies  in  number  from 
eleven  to  twenty.  (4)  Of  free  or  movable  caudal  vertebra;  (5  g) 
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 
(pygostijle).  An  examination  of  very  young  birds  shows  that  in  early 
life  it  is  composed  of  from  four  to  ten  free  vertebrse  which  become 
completely  fused  together  in  the  adult,  and  form  the  single  bone  which 
supports  the  tail-feathers  and  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  execution  of 
powerful  movements,  embryology  shows  that  originally  this  portion  of 
the  vertebral  column  is  very  much  longer.  For  instance,  in  the  young 
Swanit  consists  of  not  less  than  twenty-seven  vertebrae,  a  condition  which 
considerably  lessens  the  apparently  great  difference  between  the  tail  of 
an  adult  Swan  and  that  of  a  Reptile  or  Archaopteryx. 

All  the  thoracic  and  some  of  the  posterior  cervical  vertebrae  bear 
movable  ribs  (fig.  5  9),  their  connection  with  the  sternum  bei ng  effected 
by  means  of  short  sternal  ribs  (fig.  5  10).  In  order  to  strengthen  the 
thorax,  the  ribs  are  connected  with  one  another  by  bony  spurs  known 


146  .        BIRD  GALLERY. 

as  the  uncinate  processes  (fig.  5  11  &  fig.  7i).  These  are  flat  blade- 
shaped  hones  attached  to  the  middle  of  one  rib  and  sliding  over  the 
outer  surface  of  that  immediately  behind  it. 

The  breast-bone  or  sternum  (fig.  5  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  bones — 
the  pillar-like  coracoids  (fig.  5  14),  the  scapulas  or  shoulder-blades  (15), 
which  are  narrow  and  sabre-shaped,  and  the  clavicles  or  collar-bones 
(ie),  which  are  generally  united  at  their  lower  end  and  form  a 
V-shaped  bone,  the  furcula,  commonly  known  as  the  "  merry-thought/' 
The  principal  support  of  the  attachment  of  the  wing  to  the  trunk  is  the 
coracoid,  which  is  broadly  joined  to  the  anterior  extremity  of  the 
sternum  and  forms,  together  with  the  scapula,  the  base  of  attachment 
for  the  humerus  or  upper  arm-bone.  The  fore-limb  consists  of  the 
following  parts: — the  upper  arm-bone  (humerus}  (17),  forearm  (ulna 
and  radius)  (is,  19),  two  small  free  wrist-bones  (20,  -21)  (carpals),  an 
elongate  hand  (carpn-metacarpus}  (22),  and  three  fingers  (digits}.  Of 
the  latter,  the  thumb  (pollex)  (23)  is  a  single  styliform  bone  joined  to  the 
first  metacarpal  and  bearing  the  so-called  "  bastard-wing  "  (fig.  2s); 
the  second  or  index-finger  (24)  is  the  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  (26)  occurring  only  in  the  Ostriches.  The  shape  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  limb  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 
(femur}  (29) ;  lower  leg  (composed  of  the  united  tibia  and  fibula  (30,  3  i ),  to 
which  are  fused  the  proximal  elements  of  the  ankle  or  tarsi's)  ;  the  foot 
(torso-metatarsus  (32),  composed  of  the  distal  elements  ot  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  tar  so -metatarsus,  which  terminates 
in  three  articular  heads  for  the  attachment  of  the  three  front  toes  in  the 


STRUCTURE  OF  BIRDS.  147 

majority  of  Birds,  the  first  toe  (hallux]  (34),  which  is  directed  back- 
wards, being  articulated  with  a  short  separate  metatarsal  (33).  The 
number  of  joints  of  which  the  toes  are  composed  increases  from  within 
outwards,  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. 

Brain. — The  brain  is  much  more  developed  in  Birds  than  it  is  in 
Reptiles,  and  entirely  fills  the  spacious  cranial  cavity. 

Eye. — 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  membrana 
nictitans.  The  eyeball  is  strengthened  by  a  broad  ring  of  overlapping 
bony  plates  (PI.  XXV.  fig.  6a.)  which  enables  the  bird  to  focus 
distant  objects,  and  acts  as  a  telescope. 

Ear. — The  sense  of  hearing  is  very  acute,  but  no  external  ear  is 
developed,  and  the  opening  is  hidden  by  the  plumage. 

Smell,  Taste,  and  Touch. — 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 
Apteryx,  that  of  taste  in  the  Parrots,  and  that  of  touch  in  the  Snipes 
and  Ducks. 

Digestive  System. — 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  proventriculus,  in 
which  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. 

1,2 


148  BIRD  GALLERY. 

The  intestinal  canal  terminates  in  a  cloaca  or  cavity  through  which 
the  products  of  the  urino-genital  organs  also  pass. 

Trachea  or  Windpipe. — Finally  as  an  important  anatomical  peculiarity 
of  this  class  of  Vertebrates,  we  have  to  mention  that  the  trachea  or 
windpipe  is  composed  of  a  series  of  entire  osseous  rings.  The  organ 
of  voice  is  not  the  larynx  as  in  the  mammals,  but  is  formed  by  a  peculiar 
medication  of  the  lower  end  of  the  windpipe  called  the  syrinx.  The 
syrinx  may  be  formed  either  by  the  trachea  or  by  the  bronchi  only,  but 
most  commonly  the  lowest  rings  of  the  trachea  as  well  as  the  bronchi 
participate  in  its  formation.  The  modifications  of  the  voice  or  song  of 
a  bird  are  regulated  by  a  pair  of  "  extrinsic "  and,  in  the  Song- 
Birds,  several  pairs  of  <(  intrinsic "  muscles.  The  former,  possessed 
by  all  birds,  generally  pass  from  the  trachea  to  the  sternum  and 
furcula.  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  (cf.  p.  107). 

Nest  and  Eggs. — Birds  are,  without  exception,  oviparous.  The 
majority  deposit  their  eggs  in  a  nest  which  they  specially  prepare  for 
their  reception.  Incubation  lasts  for  a  shorter  or  longer  period  and 
varies  from  11  to  56  days. 

The  eggs  are  on  the  whole  fewer  in  number  than  is  the  case  in 
Reptiles ;  they  possess  a  large  amount  of  yolk  and  are  invested  with 
a  hard  porous  calcareous  shell. 

Young. — The  young  when  hatched  differ  greatly  in  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,  but  in  the  most  specialised  it  is  blind, 
naked  and  helpless  when  hatched,  and  requires  to  be  fed  and  cared  for 
by  its  parents  for  some  time. 

Mental  Faculties. — With  regard  to  their  mental  faculties,  Birds  as  a 
class  seem  to  occupy  a  position  intermediate  between  Mammals  and 
Reptiles.  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  in  contact  or  live  with  man. 

Migration. — The  difficulty  or  impossibility  of  obtaining  food  when 
the  cold  ot  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  are  termed  resident  birds.  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,  migrate  at  fixed  times  and  by 


STRUCTURE  OF  BIRDS.  149 

ascertained  routes  far  away  from  the  place  of  birth  into  milder  or 
tropical  climates.  Recent  observations  tend  to  show  that  the  farther 
north  a  species  breeds  in  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  the  higher  is  the 
southern  latitude  in  which  it  passes  the  northern  winter.  Immense 
distances  are  thus  traversed  by  some  migrants  twice  in  every  year,  in 
their  northern  and  southern  movements. 

Geological  History . — Our  knowledge  of  the  geological  history  of  Birds 
is  very  scanty.  The  oldest  known  bird  from  Jurassic  formations  is  the 
remarkable  Archceopleryx,  which  has  a  long  tail  furnished  \vith  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  Birds  widely 
different  from  th*)se  now  living,  but  they  are  associated  with  nearly 
all  the  principal  types  now  in  existence.  The  majority  occur  in 
Miocene  formations.  lA>r  further  particulars  the  reader  is  referred  to 
the  ninth  edition  of  the  "  Guide  to  the  Fossil  Mammals  and  Birds/' 
p.  86  (1909). 

The  number  of  species  of  Birds  at  present  known  is  probably  not 
less  than  thirteen  thousand. 


150 


BIRD  GALLERY. 


EXPLANATION  OF  PLATE  XXV. 

Fig.  6. 
Left  side  view  of  the  Skeleton  of  a  Bird.     Iceland  Falcon  (Hierofalco  islandus). 


1.  Cranium. 
'2.  Quadrate. 

3.  Mandible. 

4.  Orbit, 

5.  Cervical  vertebra?. 
G.  Thoracic  vertebrae. 

7.  Synsacral  vertebne 
[hidden  in  a  side  view  of 

the    skeleton    by   the 
iliac  bones]. 

8.  Caudal  vertebrze. 

9.  Thoracic  rib. 

10.  Sternal  rib. 

11.  Uncinate  process. 

12.  Sternum. 


13.  Keel  of  Sternum. 

14.  Coracoid. 

15.  Scapula. 

16.  Furcula. 

17.  Humerus. 

18.  Ulna. 

19.  Radius. 

20.  Itadial  Carpal. 

21.  Ulnar  Carpal. 

22.  Carpo-metacaipus. 

23.  Pollex. 

24.  Isi    Phalanx    of    2nd 
digit. 

25.  1st    Phalanx    of    3rd 
digit. 


26.  Pubis. 

27.  Ilium. 

28.  Ischium. 

29.  Feihur. 

30.  Tibia. 

31.  Fibula. 

32.  Tarso-metatarsus. 

33.  Metatarsi   of  digit 
(Ilallux). 

34.  Ilallux  or  hind  toe. 

35.  Inner  or  2nd  toe. 

36.  Middle  or  3rd  toe. 

37.  Outer  or  4th  toe. 


Fig.  6. 

Under  surface  of  the  Skull  of  a  Bird  showing  the  bones  of  the  palate  (2),  and  the 
single  occipital  condyle  (1)  for  the  articulation  of  the  skull  with  the  neck. 

Fig.  0  a 
Sclerotic  King  of  bony  plates. 


Fig.  7. 
Portions  of  three  Ribs  to  show  the  position  of  the  uncinate  processes  (1). 


PLATE   XXV 


-, 
SKELETON  OF  ICELAND  FALCON  (Hirrofiih-o  islandns).     No.  944. 


INDBX 


Abdimia,  62. 
Aburria,  19. 
Acanthidositta,  114. 
Acanthochara,  127. 
Accentor,  119. 
Accentor,  Alpiuo,  119, 
Accipiter,  75. 
Accipitriformes,  4,  7?» 
AccipitrincB,  75. 
Aceros,  92. 
Acomus,  26. 
Acromyodi,  6,  115. 
Acryllium,  22. 
Adjutant,  61,  140,  143. 
JEgithalus,  123. 
jEgothe.les,  86. 
Mluradus,  135. 
Mpyornis,  11. 
JEpyornithida,  2,  11. 
Aeronautes,  94. 
Mthopyga,  126. 
^Ej-,  67. 
Agapornis,  84. 
Agelastes,  22. 
Agl&actis,  96. 
4;a;a,  62. 
Alauda,  129. 
AlaudidcB,  6,  129. 
Albatros,  Black-browed,  43. 

,  Eoyal,  43. 

,  Sooty,  43. 

,  Wandering,  43. 

,  White-winged,  43. 

,  Yellow- nosed,  43. 

Albatroses,  3,  43,  141,  144, 
^4fca,  46. 

Alcedinida,  5,  87. 
Alcedo,  87. 
Alcida,  3,  45. 
Alcyone,  87. 
Alectoropodes,  2,  19. 
Alectrosnas,  38. 
Alectrurus,  113. 
^4We,  46. 
Alseonax,  116. 
Amblyornis,  134. 
Ammoperdix,  30. 
Ampelida,  6,  121. 
Ampelis,  121. 
Anarhynchus,  52. 
Anas,  65. 


Anastomus,  62. 
Anatida,  4,  63. 
Andigena,  101. 
Anis,  Black,  100. 

,  White,  100. 

Anorthura,  118. 
Anous,  48. 
Anser,  67. 
Anseranas,  67. 
Anseriformes,  4,  63. 
Ant-birds,  5,  108. 
Ant-Shrikes,  108. 
Ant-Thrushes,  6,  114. 
Ant-Thrushes,    Wattled,    6, 

114. 

Anthocichla,  114. 
Anthropoides,  59. 
Anthus,  128. 
Antigone,  59. 
Anumbius,  109. 
Aphanapteryx,  40. 
Aprosmictus,  84. 
Aptenodytes,  42. 
Apterygida,  2,  13. 
Apteryx,  8,  11,  14,  147. 
Aquila,  77. 
^4ra,  84. 
Aracaris,  101. 
Arachnothera,  126. 
Aramida,  4,  56. 
Jrawws,  57. 
Arboricola,  29. 
Arch(Bopterygid(B,  2. 
Archaopteryx,    2,    7,    145, 

149. 

Archibuteo,  77. 
^r^ea,  60. 
Ardeidce,  4,  59. 
Ardeiformes,  4,  59. 
Ardeola,  60. 
Ardetta,  60. 
Arenaria,  52. 
Argus-Pheasant,  21,  23. 

,  Bornean,  23. 

Argus,  Rheinhardt's  Crested, 

23. 

Argusianus,  21,  23. 
Artamidce,  6,  122. 
Artamides,  1 16. 
Artamus,  122. 
Asacornis,  67. 


/o,  82. 

,  75. 
Asturina,  76. 
Asturinula,  77. 
Asyndesmus,  103. 
Atelornis,  88. 
Athene,  82. 
Atrichornis,  115.- 
Atrichornithidee,  6,   115. 
Attagidce,  3,  50. 
^«Ais,  96. 
J«z7a,  111. 
Auk,  Ancient,  46. 

,  Crested,  45. 

,  Great,  46. 

,  Little,  46. 

,  Minute,  45. 

,  Perroquet,  45. 

,  Pigmy,  45. 

Auks,  3,  45. 
AuUicorhamphus,  101. 
Avocet,  Banded,  53. 
,  Common,  53. 

Babbler,  Fluffy-backed,  118. 
,  Hairy-backed,  118. 


-,  Scimitar,  117. 


Babblers,  6,  117. 
Saleeniceps,  61. 
Bal<enicipitid(B,  4,  61. 
Balearica,  58,  59. 
Bamboo- Pheasant,  27. 

— ,  Chinese,  27. 
Bambusicola,  21,  27. 
Barbatula,  102. 
Barbet,    Great    Himalayan, 

102. 

Barbets,  5,  101,  144. 
Barn-Owls,  82. 
Barnardius,  84. 
Baryphtncngus,  90. 
Basileornis,  134. 
Batara,  108. 
Bateleur  Eagle,  78. 
Batrachostomus,  86. 
Ztaza,  78. 
Bee-eater,  Common,  89. 

,  Nubian,  89. 

Bee-eaters,  5,  89. 
Bell-bird ,  110. 
Belonopierus,  53. 


152 


Bhringa.  133. 
Bittern,  59. 

,  American,  60. 

• .  Asiatic,  60. 

,  Common,  60. 

,  Little,  60. 

. .,  Sun-,  4,  57. 

— ,  Tiger-,  60. 
Bitterns,  4,  59. 
Biziura,  64. 
Blackbird,  119. 
Blackcap.  120. 
Black  Cock,  33. 
Black     Grouse  X  Caper- 

caillie,  31. 
X  Red     Grouse, 


33. 


X  Willow 


Grouse,  34. 
Blue-bird,  120. 

,  Fairy,  117. 

Blue-throat,  120. 

Boatbill,  Central   Ameriran, 

60. 

Boatswain-Bird,  72. 
Bobolink,  132. 
Bob-white,  Virginian,  20. 
Bolbopsittacus,  84. 
Bonasu,  33. 
Bone-breaker,  76. 
Bonxie,  47. 
Boobies,  70. 
Bostrychia,  62. 
JBotaurus,  59,  60. 
Bower-Bird,  Gardener,  134. 

,  Newton's,  134. 

Bower-Birds,  6,  134. 
Brachypferaciince,  88. 
Brachyrhamphus,  46. 
Brain -fever  bird,  98. 
Brambling,  130. 
Branta,  66. 
Broad-bill.  Dusky,  106. 

,  Horsfield's,  106. 

,     Long-tailed, 

106. 

Broad-bills,  5,  105. 
Brush-Turkeys,     Australian, 

17. 

Bubo,  81. 
Bubonidcs,  4,  81. 
Bubulcus,  (iO. 
Bucco,  105. 
Biicconida,  5,  104. 
Buceros,  92. 
Buccrotida,  5,  91. 
Buchanga,  133. 
Bucorax,  91. 
Budgerigar,  84. 
Bugeranus,  59. 
Bulbuls,  6,  117. 
Bullfinch,  130, 
Bulweria,  44. 
Bunting,  Black-headed,  130. 

,  Cirl,  130. 

,  Common,  130. 

,  Corn-,  130. 

,  Lnpland,  130. 


Bunting,  Little,  130. 

!    Cape  Pigeon,  44. 
Capercaillie,  32. 

Ortolan  130 

"Rpprl-   1  30 

,      Reed-,     Large- 
billed,  130. 

Capita,  101. 
Capitonida,  5,  101. 
Caprimulgidee,  5,  92. 
Caprimulgus,  92,  93. 
Caracaras,  75. 
Caran,  57. 
Carcineutes,  87. 
Cardiiialis,  130. 
Cardinals,  Crested,  130. 
Cariama,  58. 
Cariama,  Brazilian,  58. 
Cariamida,  4,  58. 
Carinatts,  2,  16,  145. 
Carinate  Birds,  16. 
Carphibis,  62. 
Carpococcyx,  99. 
Carpodacus,  130. 
Carrion-Crow,  136. 
Casarca,  66. 
Cassiques,  132. 
Cassowaries,  2.  13,  137. 
Cassowary,  Australian,  13. 
Caanariidee,  2,  13. 
Casiiarius,  8,  13. 
Catarrhactes,  42. 
Cat-Bird,  119. 

•  ,    Siberian    Meadow-, 
130. 
Snnw      l^q    130 

Yellow   130 

Yellow-brensted   130 

Buntings,  6,  129. 
Buphaga,  134. 
Burhinus,  55. 
Bush-Quails,  Indian,  28. 
Painted   '"^8 

Bush-Wrens,   New   Zealand, 
6,  114. 
Bustard,  Great,  55,  143. 

Kori  56 

Little  55 

Bustard-Quails,  3,  35. 
B'utastur,  78. 
Butcher-birds,  6,  122. 
Buteo,  76. 
Buteola,  76. 
Butorides,  60. 
Buzzard,  Brown,  76. 

Catharistes,  73,  144. 
Cathartidce,  4,  72. 
Catheturus,  17. 
Catreus,  25. 
Cedar-bird,  121. 
Centrocercus,  32. 
Centropus,  99. 
Cephalopterus,  110. 
Ceratogymna,  92. 
Cerchneis,  79. 
Cereopsis,  68. 
Cerorhyncha,  45. 
Certhia,  125. 
Certhiida,  6,  125. 
<7«ye,  87. 
Oi^r,  87. 
Ck^etocercus,  95. 
Chatura,  94. 
Chatusia,  53. 
Chaffinch,  130. 
Chalcophaps,  38. 
Chalcopsittacus,  85. 
Chameea,  124. 
Chamceidce,  6.  124. 
Chamapetes,  19. 
Chaparral-Cock,  99. 
Charadriida,  3,  50. 
Charadrius,  52. 
Chasmorhynchus,  110. 
Chat-Thrushes,  120. 
Chats,  120. 
Chatterers,  6,  121. 
,  American,  5,  110. 
T?or1    111 

Buzzard-Eagles,  77. 
Buzzard,  Giant,  76. 
Buzzard-Hawks,  76. 
Buzzard,  Honey-,  79. 

Red  -backed  76 

Rough-legged,  77. 
White-spotted  76 

Cacatua,  85. 
Caccabis,  30. 
Cacomantis,  98. 
Cairina,  67. 
Calliope,  120. 
Callipepla,  19. 
Calliste,  131. 
Callocephalum,  85. 
Catenas,  38. 
Caloperdix,  30. 
Calopezus,  15. 
Calophasis,  21,  25. 
Calopsifiacus,  85. 
Calorhamphus,  102. 
Calornis,  134. 
Calyptomena,  106. 
CalyptorhynchuK,  85. 
Camparero.  111. 
Campophaga,  116. 
Campophagidce,  6,  1  16. 
Campophilus,  104. 
Campylopterun,  96. 
Canachites,  33. 
Cancroma,  60. 
Cape  Pheasant,  31. 

Chaulelasmus,  66. 
Chauna,  69. 
Cheer-  Pheasant,  25. 

INDEX. 


Chelidon,  115. 
Chelidoptera,  105. 
Chen,  66. 
Chenalopex,  66. 
Chenonetfa,  67. 
Chenopsis,  68. 
CAera,  131. 
Chibia,  133. 
Ohiffohaff,  120. 

NrirtViprn     191 

(Mews,  139. 
Colopterus,  113. 
Columba,  38. 
Columbidee,  3,  38. 
Colymbida,  3,  41. 
Condor,  73. 
Conopophaga,  108. 
Conopophagas,  5,  108. 
Conopophagidce,  5,  108. 
Conures,  84. 
Conurus,  84. 
Coot,  Coinrrion,  40. 
(Jopper-smith,  101. 
Coracias,  88. 
Coraciidee,  5,  88. 
Coriphilus,  85. 
Cormorant,  Common,  70. 

Crocodile-bird,  53. 
Crossbill,  130. 
Parrot  130 

•••  Two  banded  130 

Crossoptilon,  26. 
Crotophaga,  100. 
Crow,  Bald-headed,  136. 

Hooded   136 

Pinin<r     1  O'4 

Chionarchus,  49. 
Chionididce,  3,  49, 
Cliionis,  49. 
ChiroxipJna,  112. 
Chlamydodera,  134. 
Chloephaga,  67. 
Cft/ora,  130. 
Chlorochrysa,  131. 
Chloropipo,  112. 
Chloropsis,  117. 
Chordeiles,  92. 
Chough,  Alpine,  136. 

Dnivmirm     1  *}(i 

Wn  ••  fr  1  f»fl     1  ^ft 

Crow-Pheasants,  99. 
Crows,  6,  136. 
Crow-Tits,  118. 
Crymophilus,  50. 
Cryptolopha,  116. 
Cryptwrus,  15. 
Cuckoo,  Channel-bill,  98. 
,  Common,  98. 

Whitc-bcllicd   70 

Cuckoo-Dove,  38. 
Cuckoo,  Emerald,  98. 
Cuckoo-Falcons,  78. 
Cuckoo,  Great-spotted,  98. 
,  Hawk-,  98. 
Lirk  heeled   99 

Cormorants,  4,  69,  140. 
Corn-Crake,  39. 
Corvidce,  6,  136. 
Corvultur,  136. 
CO^MS,  136. 
Corydon,  106. 
Corythceola,  100. 
Corythopis,  108. 
Corythornis,  87. 
Coscoroba,  68. 
Cosmetornis,  93. 
Cosmopsarus,  134. 
Cossypha,  120. 
6'o«fc,  115. 
Cotinga,  111. 
Cotingidce,  5,  110. 
Cotiirnix,  28,  29. 
<7owa,  99. 
Coucal,  Common,  99. 
Oourlan,  57. 
Courser,  Cream-coloured,  53. 

TWn  Vinnrliarl      FiQ 

Chrysococcyx,  98. 
Chryscenas,  38. 
Chrysolophus,  24. 
Chrysotis,  84. 
Chukar  Partridge,  30. 
Ciconia,  61. 
Ciconiidfg,  4,  61. 
Cinclidee,  6,  118. 
Cinclosoma,  117. 
Cinclus,  119. 
Cinnicerthia,  118. 
Cinnyris,  126. 
Circaetus,  77. 
Circus,  75. 
Cirrhopipra,  112. 
Cissa,  136. 
Cisticola,  120. 
Cittocincla,  120. 
Cittura,  88. 
Cladorhynchus,  53. 
Clangula,  65. 
Clucking-Hen,  57. 
Clytoceyx,  88. 
Clytoctantes,  108. 
Coach-whip,  117. 
Coccothraustes,  130. 
Coccystes,  98. 
Coccyzus,  98. 
Cochoa,  119. 
Cockateel,  85. 
Cockatoo,  Ganga,  85. 
,  Groat  Black,  85. 
,  Leadbeater's,  85. 
Slender-billed  85 

—  ,  Pheasant,  99. 
Cuckoo-Shrike,    Pheasant, 
116. 
Cuckoo-Shrikes,  6,  116. 
Cuckoo,  Yellow-billed,  98. 
Cuckoo's-mate,  104. 
Cuculidce,  5,  98. 
Cuculus,  98. 
Curassows,  2,  18 
Curlew,  51. 

Ibis-billed  51 

,  Stone-,  54. 
Cursoriida,  3,  53. 
Cursorius,  53. 
Cutia,  118. 
Cyanerpes,  130. 
Cyanochen,  67. 
Cyanwarax,  136, 
Cyanops,  102. 
CyanwJiamphus,  84. 
Cyanospiza,  130. 
Cyanotis,  113. 
Cybernetes,  113. 
Cyclopsittacus,  85. 
Cygnus,  68. 
CypselidcB,  5,  93. 
Cypseloides,  94. 
Cypselm,  94. 
Cyrtonyx,  20. 

Dabchick,  41. 
.Oocefo,  88. 
Dactylortyx,  20. 
.Da/f/a,  66. 
Dansador,  112. 
Daption,  44. 
Darters,  4,  69. 
Dasylophus,  99. 
Dasyptilus,  84. 
Demiegretta,  60. 

Coursers,  3,  53. 
Cow-birds,  132. 
Crab-Plovers,  3,  49. 
Cracidfe,  2,  18. 
Cracticus,  123. 
Crake,  Baillon's,  39. 
,  Carolina,  39. 
,  Corn-,  39. 
,  Little.  ,39. 
,  Spotted,  39. 
Crane,  African  Wattled,  59. 
,  Common,  59. 
,  Crowned,  58,  59. 
,  Demoiselle,  59. 

Ynllnw-oi.il    R/Mr>t    S'l 

Cocks  of  the  Kock,  111. 
Cterefo,  130. 
Ccerebidce,  6,  130. 
Colaptes,  103. 
Colics,  5,  96. 
Collides,  5,  96. 
Colin,  Virginian,  20 
Colins,  20. 
Colius,  96. 
Collocalia,  94. 

Cranes,  3,  58. 
Crater  opodince,  117. 
<7ra.r,  18. 
Crazy  Widow,  57. 
Creeper,  Blue,  130. 
,  Tree-,  125. 
,  Wall-,  125. 
Creepers,  American,  6,  130. 
Oea-,  39. 

154 


INDEX. 


Dendragapus,  31,  33. 
Dendrocitta,  136. 
Dendrocolaptida,  5,  109. 
Dendrocoptes,  104. 
Dendrocopus,  104. 
Dendrooycna,  66. 
Dendrceca,  128. 
Dendroplex,  109. 
Dendrortyx,  20. 
DiccsidcB,  6,  126. 
Dicaum,  126. 
Dichoceros,  91. 
Dichromanassa,  60. 
Dicruridce,  6,  133. 
Dididce,  3,  37. 
Didunculidce,  3,  37. 
Didunculus,  37. 

.Z>M*MS,  37. 

Diglossa,  130. 
Dinar  iiis,  11. 
Dinornithida,  2,  11. 
Diomedea,  43. 
Diomedeidce,  3,  43. 
Diplopterus,  99. 
Dippers,  6,  118. 
Dissemurus,  133. 
Dissodectes,  80. 
Dissura,  62. 
Diver,  Black-throated,  41. 

,  Great  Northern,  41. 

,  Eed-throated,  41. 

,  White-billed,  41. 

Divers,  3,  41,  141,  144. 
Docimastes.  96. 
Dodo,  3,  37. 

— ,  Reunion  or  White,  37. 
Dolichonyx,  132. 
Dotterel,  52. 

,  Australian,  52. 

Dove,  Bronze-winged,  38. 

,  Eastern  Turtle-,  38. 

,    Long -tailed    African, 

38. 
,   Reinwardt's   Ouckoo-, 

38. 


,  Rock-,  38. 

,  Stock  ,  38. 

,  Turtle-,  38. 

DrepanididfB,  6,  126. 

DromadidcB,  3,  49. 

DromceidcB,  2,  12. 

Drom&us,  8,  12. 

Dramas,  49. 

Dromococcyx,  99. 

Drongo,  Racket-tailed,  133. 

Drongos,  6,  133. 

Dryonastes,  117. 

Duck,  Australian  Sheld-,  66. 

,  Australian  Stiff-tailed, 

64. 

,  Buffel-head,  65. 

,  Canvas,  64. 

,  Common  Eider-,  64. 

,  Crested,  65. 

,  Eider-,  64. 

,  Ferruginous,  64. 

,  Flightless,  66. 

,  Freckled,  65. 


Duck,  Golden-eye,  65. 

Egret,  Little,  59. 

King  Eider-  64 

,  Loggerhead,  65. 

Eider-Ducks,  64,  140. 
Elainea,  113. 
Elanoides,  78. 
Elanus,  78. 
EmberiziTMB,  129. 
Emu,  Black,  12. 

,  Mandarin,  67. 
,  Masked  Stiff-tailed,  64. 
,  Muscovy,  67. 

Mnalr     KA 

Pint  Pvpfl    Pt^ 

,  Pink-headed,  67. 
,  Pintail,  66 
,  Rosy-billed,  64. 
•    ,  Ruddy  Sheld-,  66. 

C1-.-1J      a  a 

Emus,  2,  12,  137. 
Emu-Wren,  121. 
.Eos,  85. 
Ephippiorhynchus,  62. 
Ephthianura,  120. 
Erismatura,  64. 
Erne,  78. 
Eryt&roptu,  79. 
Erythrotriorchis,  76. 
1    Erythrura,  132. 
Estrilda,  132. 
Eudocimus,  62. 
Eudrepanis,  126. 
Eudromias,  52. 
Eudynamis,  98. 
Eudyptula,  42. 
Eulabes,  134. 
Eulabetidce,  6,  133. 
Eulipoa,  17. 
Eunetta,  65. 
Eupetes,  117. 
Eupodotis,  56. 
Eupsychortyx,  19. 
Eurhynorhynchus,  51. 
Eurocephalus,  122. 
Euryceros,  133. 
Eurycerotidce,  6,  1J3. 
Eurylcemida,  5,  105. 
Eurylamua,  106. 
Eurypyga,  57- 
Eurypygida,  4,  57. 
Eurysionius,  89. 
Euscarthmus,  113. 
Eustephanus,  95. 
Eutolmaetus,  77. 
Eutoxeres,  96. 
Excalfactoria,  28,  '-9. 

Fako,  79. 
Falcon,  Barbary,  79. 

,  Soft-billed,  64. 
,  Spotted-billed,  65. 
,  Steamer,  65. 
,  Steller's  Eider-,  64. 

Qi:flCf_;i-i    (*A 

,  Torrent,  64. 
,  Tree,  66. 

Wliito    Vicmrtarl         Ssfiff 

tailed,  64. 
,  White-winged  Wood-, 
67. 
—  ,  Wild,  65. 
Ducks,  4,  63,  147. 

CQO        f*A 

Dunlin,  51. 
Dupetor,  60. 

Eagle,  African  Buzzard-,  77. 

—  ,  Black-crested,  77. 

~R/-.nolli'o     77 

,  Booted,  77. 
—  ,  Crowned  Hawk-,  77. 
i    ,  Golden,  77. 

78. 

Eagle-Owls,  81. 
Eagle,  Rufous-bellied  Hawk-, 
77. 
,  Serpent-,  77. 
Short  'toed  77 

,  Double-toothed,  75. 
,  Feilden's,  79. 
,  Greenland,  79. 

,  Spanish  Imperial,  77.     '. 

Snnttprl    77 

,  Wedge-tailed,  77.                ,  Peregrine,  79. 
W^iito-headed     Sea-                  Red-footed  79 

78.                                               ,    Scandinavian    Jer- 
,   White-tailed  Sea-,  78.           79. 
Eagles,  4,  74.                                ,  Shahiu,  79. 
Eclectus,  84.                                    Falconet,  Black-legged,  79. 
Eclectus,  Red-sided,  84.               Falconidte,  4,  74. 
Ectopistes,  38.                            ;   Falcons,  79,  144. 
Egret,  American,  59.                    Falcunculus,  123. 
,  Australian  Plumed,  59.      Fandango-bird,  112. 

155 


Fieldfare,  119. 
Finch,  Citril,  130. 
Finch-Larks,  129. 
Finch,  Serin,  130. 
Finches,  6,  129. 
Finches,  Saffron-,  130. 
Weaver     6  131 

Gallinule,  Purple,  40,  142. 
Gallirex,  100. 
Galloperdix,  21,27. 
Gallus,  23. 
Game-Birds,  16-36,  140. 

Goshawk,  Crested,  75. 
—  ,  Radiated,  75. 
Goura,  38. 
Grackles,  134. 
Graculus,  136. 
Grallina,  122. 
Grandala,  120. 
Grasshopper-Warbler,  120. 
Graucalus,  116. 
Grebe,  Black-necked,  41. 
Eared,  41  . 

rj-i-Ant    Pi-cater)     41 

21. 
Gampsonyx,  78. 
Gannet,  Australian,  71. 
,  Brown,  71. 
,  Common,  70. 

Finfoot,  3,  40. 
,  Peters's,  40. 
Fire-crest,  124. 
Firewood  Gatherer,  109. 
Fish-Hawk,  80. 
Fishing-Owls,  81. 
Flamingo,  Common,  68. 
,  Ruddy,  68. 
Small  68 

Gannets,  4,  70,  144. 
Garden-Warbler,  120. 
Garganey,  65. 
Garzetta,  59,  60. 
Gecimis,  103. 
Geese,  4,  63,  66. 
Gelinotte,  33. 
Gelochelidon,  48. 
Gennceus,  25. 
Geobiastes,  88. 
Geococcyx,  99. 
Gcocolaptes,  103. 
Geopsitiacus  84. 
Geositta,  40. 
Geranoaetus,  76. 
Geranospizias,  75. 
Glareola,  54. 
GlareolidcB,  3,  54. 
Glaucidium,  82. 
Glaucopis,  136. 
Gled,  78. 
Glyphorkynchus,  109. 
Goatsuckers,  5,  92. 
Godwit,  Bar-tailed,  51. 
,  Black-tailed,  51. 
Golden-crested  Wren,  124. 
Goldfinch,  130. 
Goosander,  63. 
Goose.    Abyssinian    Dwarf, 
67. 
,  Australian  Maned,  67. 
,  Bernacle,  66. 

THaMr  and   WViito  ft7 

T.ittln    41 

Red-necked,  41. 
—  Slatouian,  41. 
—  South  American,  41. 
Grebes,  3,  40,  141,  144. 
Greenfinch,  130. 
Greenlets,  6,  121. 
Greenshauk,  51. 
Griffon-Bird,  2. 
Grinder,  116. 
Grosbeak,  Pine,  130. 
Grosbeaks,  129. 
Grouse,  2,  31. 

Flamingoes,  4,  68. 
Flicker,  103. 
Florican,  Lesser,  56. 
Florida,  60. 
Flower-  peckers,  6,  126. 
Flycatcher,  Brown,  116. 
Narcissus,  116. 
Paradise   116 

-    Piprl     1  1  rt 

Restless,  116. 
Spotted,  116. 
Flycatchers,  6,  115. 
Formicariidce,  5,  108. 
Francblin,  Bare-throated,  31. 
,  Cape,  31. 

1  A/->mlvi/-in      ^1        1  S8 

32. 

—  ,  Bare-toed,  19. 
—  ,  Black,  33. 

rinnnrlifin     3^ 

r!r>rnmrin   TtlaoV     ^'-t 

Dusky  33 

Red  31 

,  Erckel's,  31. 
,  Gray's  Bare-throated, 
31. 

—  ,  Ruffed,  33. 
,  Sage,  32. 
,  Sharp-tailed,  33. 
Willow-  34 

,  Levaillant's,  31. 
,  Long-billed,  31. 

Gruidee,  4,  58. 
Gruiformes,  56. 
Grus,  59. 
Guacharo,  86. 
Guans,  2,  18. 
Guillemot,  Black,  46. 
Bridled   46 

Francolinus,  30,  138. 
Frafercula,  45. 
Fregata,  71. 
Fregatidte,  4,  71. 
Friar-Bird,  127. 
Frigate-Bird,  Greater,  71. 

,  Black-backed,  67. 

T?vonf     A7 

,  Briinnich's,  46. 

,  Canada,  67. 
,  Cape  Barren,  68. 
,  Egyptian,  66. 
,  Grey  Lag-,  66. 
,  Lesser  White-fronted, 
66. 

Marbled  46 

Fringillidcg,  6,  129. 
Frog-mouth,      Common 
Australian,  86. 
Eared  86 

Guinea-Fowl,  Crested,  22. 
f    Curly-crested, 
22. 
,  Helmeted,  22. 

Tlll-tnir   lite     9'? 

Fruit-Pigeons,  38. 
Fulica,  40. 
Fulicjula,  64. 
Fulmar,  44. 
Fulmarus,  44. 
Furnarius,  110. 

Gabianus,  48. 
Gad  wall,  66. 
Galactochrysea,  54. 
Gcdbulidce,  5,  105. 
Galeoscoptes,  119. 
Gallinago,  50. 
Gattinula,,  40. 
Gallinule,     Allen's    Purple, 
An 

-      VlllflirinO     99 

,  Pigmy,  67. 
,  Pink-footed,  66. 
Red-brea«ted   67 

Guinea-Fowls,  2,  21,  22. 
Guira,  100. 
Gull,  Black-headed,  48. 
—  ,  Bonaparte's,  48. 
,  Common,  47. 

—  ,  Sandwich  Island,  67. 
Snow-  66 

Solan  70 

,  Upland,  67. 
White-fronted   66 

,  Greater  Black-backed, 
47. 
,  Heerman'e,  48. 
,  Hemprich's,  48. 
,  Herriug-,  47. 

Toalnnrl     d.7 

Goshawk,  American,  75. 
,  Australian,  75. 
—  ,  Black,  75. 

rinmmnn    7ft                                 .  Ivorv.  47. 

156 


INDEX. 


Gull,   Lesser    Black-backed, 
47. 

Little  18 

Heliobucco,  102. 
Heliornis,  40. 
Heliornithid<e,  3,  40. 
Helotarsus,  78. 
Hemignathus,  127. 
Hemignathug,    Long-billed. 
127. 
Hemilophus,  104. 
Hemiphaga,  38. 
Hemipode,  Andalusian,  36. 
Hemipodes,  3,  35. 
Hen-Harrier,  75. 
Heniconetta,  64. 
Henicurus,  120. 
Herodias,  59,  60. 
Heron,  Blue,  60. 

Buff  hnpkprl    fifl 

Humming-bird,     Jericho, 
126. 

98. 

Humming-birds,  5,  95,  141 
Hydralector,  54. 
Hydrochelidon,  48. 
Hydrocichla,  120. 
Hydrophasianus,  54. 
Hydroprogne,  48. 
Hydropsalis,  93. 
Hyetornis,  99. 
Hylaetes,  108. 
Hymenolcemus,  64. 
Hypha.ntornis,  131. 
Hypocolins,  1  22. 
Hypositta,  125. 

[bididte,  4,  62. 
Ibidorhynchus,  51 
/6zs,  62. 
Ibis,  Giant,  62. 

headed,  48. 
Pacific,  48. 
Parasitic,  47. 

"Rnsa"   ~ftf\a\r     48 

SaViiiia'a     48 

Gull  -tribe,  46. 
Guli,  Tschudi's,  48. 
Gulls,  3,  47,  143. 
Guttera,  22. 
Gygis,  48. 
Gymnobiwco,  102. 
Gymnocephalus,  111. 
Gymnoderus,  111. 
Gymnogene,  Banded,  75. 
Gi/mnorhina,  123. 
Gymnoschizorhis,  100. 
Gymnostinops,  132. 
Gypaetus,  76. 
Gypagus,  73. 
£y/>s,  74. 

Habroptila,  39. 
Hadrostomus,  111. 
Hcematoderus,  111. 
Hcematopus,  52. 
Hcematortyx,  30. 
Hagedashia,  62. 
Halcyon,  87. 
Haliaetus,  78. 
Haliastur,  78. 
Hammer-head  Storks,  4,  61. 
Hang-nests,  6,  132. 
Hapalarpactes,  97. 
Hapaloderma,  97. 
Harelda,  65. 
Harpa,  80. 
Harpactes,  97. 
Harpagus,  78. 
Harpies,  76. 
Harporhynchus,  119. 
Harpy,  76. 

—  ,  Common,  60. 
,  Great,  60. 
,  Great  White,  60. 

,  Night-,  60. 

—    Piirr>lf>    fid 

Pkccf    60 

Herons,  4,  59,  140. 
Heron-tribe,  59. 
Hcrpetotheres,  77. 
Herring-Gull,  47. 
Heterhyphantes,  131. 
Heterolocha,  J36. 
Heteropelma,  112. 
Heterospizias,  76. 
Hieracidea,  80. 
Hierococcyx,  98. 
Hierofalco,  79,  144. 
Himantopus,  53. 
Hirundinidee,  6,  115. 
Hirundo,  115. 
Hoatzin,  3,  56. 
Hobby,  79. 
Homrai,  92. 
Honey-Buzzard,  78. 
Honey  -eater,  Large  Wattled, 
127. 
,  Turati's,  127. 
Honey-Guides,  5,  102. 
Honey-suckers,  6,  127. 

qnr.vrTi    co 

,  Scarlet,  (52. 
,  Straw-necked,  62. 

\Vafflorl     CO 

,  White,  62. 
Ibises,  4,  62. 

WV\/->_]         Ci) 

Ibycter,  75. 
Icterid®,  6,  ]  32. 
Icterus,  132. 
Ictinaetus,  77. 
Ictinia,  78. 
Indicator,  102. 
Indicatoridce,  5,  102. 
Irena,  117. 
Iron-smith,  102. 
Irrisor,  90. 
Ispidina,  87. 
Ithagenes,  27. 
lyngipicus,  104. 
/^?;j-,  104. 

Jabiru,  Black-necked,  62. 
Jacamar,  Great,  105. 
Jacamars,  5,  105. 
Jacamaralcyon,  105. 
Jacamerops,  105. 
Jacana,  African,  54. 

Harpyhaliaetus,  76. 
Harpyopsis,  76. 
Harrier-Hawks,  75. 
Harrier,  Hen-,  75. 
,  Marsh-,  75. 

6,  126. 

Hoopoe,  Common,  90. 
,  Jackson's  Wood-,  90. 
Hoopoes,  5,  90. 
Wood    90 

Hawfinch,  130. 
Hawk,  Australian  Quail-,  80. 
Bush    80 

Hoploptems,  53. 
Hornbill,       Abyssinian 
Ground-,  92. 

,    Common    Sparrow-, 
75. 
,  Cooper's,  75. 
Hawk-Eagles,  77. 
Hawk,  Laughing,  77. 

—  ,  Cassin's  Pigmy,  92. 
,  Ground-,  91. 
,  Helmet,  92. 
,  Nepal,  92. 

Jacanas,  3,  54. 
Jackasses,  Laughing,  88. 
Jackdaw,  136. 
Jay,  136. 
Jay-Shrike,  122. 
Jer-Falcons,  79. 
Jiwi,  127. 
Jungle-Fowl,  23. 
,  Ceylonese,  24. 
,  Eed,  24. 

Wpaf     A  fi'inan      Q9 

Hawk-Owls,  81. 
Hawks,  4,  74,  140. 
Hazel-hen,  Common,  33. 
Hedge-Sparrow,  119. 

Hornbills,  5,  91,  140. 
Houbara,  55. 
Huia,  136. 
Humming-bird,  Giant,  95. 

INDEX. 


157 


Kagus,  4,  57. 
Kakapo,  83. 
Kalij,  Black-backed,  25. 
Black  bellied  25 

Lark,  Black.  129. 
,  Crested,  129. 

"Rinpll-    19Q 

TT.,«r,..j    i  on 

—  ,  Magpie-,  122. 
,  Meadow-,  129,  132. 

Shm-p-     I^Q 

,  Nepal,  25. 
,  Swin  hoe's,  25. 
—  ,  White-crested,  25. 
Kea,  85. 
Kestrel,  Common,  79. 

,  Short-toed,  129. 
,  Sky-,  129. 

Wnnrl       1  9Q 

'  ivr  i   '  -  •  '    wo 

Larks,  6,  129. 
Larus,  47. 
Lathria,  111. 
Leguatia,  40. 
Lepidogr  animus,  99. 
Lcptodon,  78. 
Leptopterus,  122. 
Leptoptilns,  61  . 
Leptosoma,  88. 
Leptosomatida,  5,  88. 
Lerwa,  19,  28,  31. 
Leucopternis,  76. 
Leucosarcia,  38. 
Licmetis,  85. 
Likh,  56. 
Limnocryptes,  51. 
Limosa,  51. 
Limpkins,  4,  57- 
Linnet,  130. 
Liothrix,  117. 
Lipaugina,  111. 
Lipoa,  17- 
Lizard-tailed  Birds,  2,  7. 
Lobiophasis,  26. 
Lobivanellus,  53. 
Lobo  volante,  76. 
Loddigesia,  96. 
Lophoaetus,  77. 
Lophoceros,  91. 
Lophodytes,  63. 
Lophogyps,  74. 
Lophoictinia,  78. 
Lopholfsmus,  38. 
Lopkopkorus,  26. 
Lophortyx,  20. 
Lophotikis,  62. 
Lophotriorchis,  77. 
Lophura,  '26. 
Loriculus,  84. 
Lories,  4,  85. 
Loriidts,  4,  85. 
Lorilets,  85. 
Lorius,  85. 
Love-Birds,  84. 
Lullula,  129. 
Lunda,  45. 
Lybius,  102. 
Lyncornis,  93. 
Lyre-birds,  5,  106,  137. 

Macaws,  84. 
Machcerhamphus,  79. 
Mach<eropterus,  112. 
Macrodipteryx,  93. 
Macronus,  Ii8. 
Macronyx,  128. 
Macroptcryx,  94. 

Ketupa,  81. 
Kingfisher,  Blaek-cheeked,87. 

Tilno  inrl-Whitp    88 

,  Hooded,  88. 
,  Hook-billed,  88. 
,  Huahine,  88. 
,  Lindsay's,  88. 
-    T  ittlp  V?lnp   87 

Racquet-tailed  88 

EiiKTPrl      87 

o..  „„],;..   oo 

Saw  hillprl    87 

,  Shoe-billed,  88. 
Stork  billed   87 

Sumatran   88 

Kingfishers,  5,  87. 
,  Water-,  87. 
,  Wood-,  87. 
Kirombos,  5,  88. 
Kite,  Black,  78. 
,  Black-shouldered,  78. 

,  Common,  78. 

"Hnnlr-hillpd    78 

—  ,  Slender-billed,  78. 
Squire  tailed  78 

,  Swainson's,  78. 

Swallow  t-iilpfl    78 

Kittiwakes,  47. 
Kiwi,  Haast's,  14. 
Mantell's    14 

Sli'iw'«   14 

Kiwis,  2,  13. 
Knot,  51. 
Koel,  Indian,  98. 
Kokako,  136. 
Koklass  Pheasants,  26. 
Kyah,  31. 

Laminergeiers,  76. 
Lamenting  Bird,  57. 
Lamprocolius,  134. 
Land-Rail,  39. 
Laniarius,  123. 
Laniidai,  6,  122. 
Laniiis,  123. 
Lapwing,  52. 
—  ,  Biack-tbighed,  53. 
,  Cayenne,  53. 
,      Egyptian       Spur- 
winged,  53. 
Lathim's  Whittled  53 

Larida,  3,  47. 

Magpie,  136. 

Magpie-Lark,  122. 

Maize-Birds,  132. 

Malacorhynchus,  65. 

Maleo,  17. 

Malta,  1  18. 

Malkohas,  99. 

Mallard,  65. 

Malurus,  121. 

Mamo,  127. 

Manakins,  5,  112. 

Man-of-war  Bird,  71,  140. 

Marabou,  61,  140. 

Mareca,  66. 

Marrot,  46. 

Martin,  House-,  115. 

.  Sand-,  115. 

Masius,  112. 
Meadow-Bunting   130. 

,  Siberian.  130. 

Lark,  129,  132. 

—  -  Pipit,  128. 
Megacephalon,  17. 
Megadyptes,  42. 
Megalama,  101. 
Megalestris,  47. 
Megnpode,  Wallace's,  17. 
Megapodes,  2,  17. 
Megapodius,  17. 
Melanerpes,  103. 
Melanochlora,  123. 
Melanoperdix,  30. 
Mekagris,  21. 
Melidectes,  127. 
Melidora,  88. 
Melierax,  75. 
Meliphagidce,  6,  127. 
Mellisuga,  95. 
Melopsittacus,  84. 
Menura,  106. 
Menuridce,  5,  106. 
Merganetta,  63. 
Merganser,  63. 
Merganser,  Chilian,  63,  ]  44. 
,  Hooded,  63. 

— ,  Red-breasted,  63. 
Mergansers,  4,  63,  144. 
Mergus,  63. 
Merlin,  79. 

— ,  Red-headed,  79. 
Meropida,  5,  89. 
Merops,  89. 
Mesomi/odi,  5,  107. 
Netopia,  112. 
Metopiana,  64. 
Micrastur,  75. 
Microglossus,  85. 
Microhicrax,  79. 
Microparra,  54. 
Mioroperdix,  28. 
Micropternus,  103. 
Milvago,  75. 
Milvulus,  113. 
Milous,  78. 
Mimidce,  6,  119. 
Mimus,  119. 
Minirets,  116. 
Mirafra,  129, 


158 


INDEX. 


Mistle-Thrush,  119. 
MniotUta,  127. 
Mniotiltidfg,  6,  127. 
Moas,  2,  11. 

Noddy,  48. 
Nomonyx,  64. 
Nothoprocta,  15. 
i    Notornis,  40. 
Nucifraga,  136. 
Numenius,  51. 
Niimida,  22. 
Nutcracker,  136. 
Nuthatches,  6,  124,  127. 
Ni/ctala,  82. 
jfyrfra,  81. 
Nyctibius,  93. 
Nycticorax,  60. 
Nyctidromus,  93. 
Nyctiornis,  89. 
Nymphicus,  84. 
Nyroca,  64. 

Oceanites,  44. 
Oceanitince,  44. 
Oceanodroma,  44. 
Cct/dromus,  39. 
Odontopkorintg,  19. 
Odontophorus,  20. 
(Edemia,  65. 
(Edicnemid<e,  3,  54. 
(Edicnemus,  54. 
ffiwa,  38. 
(Estrelat.a,  44. 
Oil-birds,  5,  86. 
Oligomyodce,  110. 
Oliffiira,  118. 
Opisthocomide,  3,  56. 
Opisthocomus,  56. 
Oreophasis,  18. 
Oreortyx,  20. 
Oreotrochihts,  5. 
Oriole,  Baltimore,  132. 
Golden   133 

Oven-birds,   110. 
Owl,  Barn-,  82. 
—  ,  Bay,  82. 
,  Brown,  82. 

Mocking-Birds,  6,  1  19. 
Modern  Birds,  '2. 
Mobo,  40. 
Molothrus,  132. 
Momotidte,  5.  89. 
Momotus,  90. 
Monachalci/on,  88. 
Moonal  Pheasant,  27. 
Moor-Buzzard,  65. 
Moorhen,  40. 
Morphnus,  76. 
Motacilla,  128. 
MotaciUida,  6,  128. 
Mother    Carey's    Chickens, 
44. 
Motmots,  5,  89. 
Mound-builders,  2,  17. 
Mountain-Pheasant,     Lord 
Derby's,  18. 
Munia,  132. 
Murre,  46. 
Muscicapa,  116. 
Muscicapida,  6,  115. 
Muscivora,  113. 
Musophaga,  100. 
Musophagidce,  5,  100. 
Mycteria,  62. 
Myiodynastes,  113. 
Myiophoneus,  1  18. 
Myiozctetes,  1  13. 
Mynas,  Talking,  134. 
Myristicivora,  38. 
Myzomcla,  127. 

-Mwitti,  109. 

Nasiterna,  85. 
Native  Companion,  59. 
Necrornis,  100. 
Nectariniidce,  6,  126. 
Nelly,  44. 
Neoctantes,  108. 
Neophema,  84. 
Neophron,  74. 
Neornithes,  2,  7. 
Neositta,  125. 
Nesochen,  67. 
Nesonetta,  66. 
Nestor,  85. 
A'e^a,  64. 
Nettion,  65. 
Neitopus,  67. 
Night-Heron,  60. 
Nightingale,  120. 
,  Northern,  120. 
,  Sprosser,  120. 
Nightjar,  Common,  93. 
—  /Egyptian,  93. 
,  Pennant-winged,  93. 
,  Red-necked,  93. 
Nightjars,  5,  92,  140. 
Niltava,  116. 
Niltavas,  116. 
Ninox,  81, 

,  Brown  Hawk-,  81. 
—  ,  Burrowing,  82. 
—  ,  Common  Barn-,  83. 
F'uWl   &>? 

,  Great  Eagle-,  81. 

,  Little,  82. 
,  Long-eared,  82. 
M«r«Vi     £!•"> 

,  Mottled  Wood-,  81'. 

Hawk-,  81. 
,  Pel's,  81. 
,  Saw-whet,  82. 

,  Screech-,  82. 

,  Short-eared,  82. 
,  Siberian  Eagle-,  81. 
,  Snowy,  81. 
,  Spotted  Eagle-,  81. 

Tn«rnv     80 

—  ,  Tawny  Fishing-,  81. 

Tuft^rl     SI 

,  Ural  Wood-,  82. 
,  Wood-,  82. 
,  Woodcock-,  82. 
Owlet,  Collared  Pigmy,  82 
Owlet-Nightjars,  87. 
Owlet,  Pigmy,  82. 
Owls,  80. 
,  Barn-,  4,  82. 

PT/->t.norl        \      Q1 

Orioles,  6,  133. 
,  American,  132. 
Oriolidee,  6,  133. 
Orlohis,  133. 
Ortalis,  19. 
Orthonyx,  117. 
Orthorhamphus,  55. 
Ortyr,  20. 
Osmotreron,  39. 
Osprey,  80. 
—  ,  Grey  headed,  80. 
Ospreys,  4,  73,  80. 
Ossifraga,  44. 
Ostrich,  Common,  9. 
,  Masai,  9. 
—  ,  Northern,  9. 

,  Wood-,  4,  81. 
Ox-pecker,  134. 
Oxyrhamphidce,  5,  112. 
Oxyrhamphus,  112. 
Oxyurus,  110. 
Oyster-catcher,  Black,  52. 
Oyster-catchers,  52. 

PachycephaliiKe,  123. 
Pachyrhampkus,  111. 
Pagodroma,  44. 
Paqopkila,  47. 
Palaornis,  84. 
Palamedeidce,  4,  69. 
Pandion,  80. 
Pandionides,  4,  80. 
Panurid(B,  6,  124. 
Panurus,  124. 
PanypUla,  94  . 
Parabuteo,  75. 
Paradisea,  135. 
Paradise-birds,  6,  135. 
Paradiseidee,  6,  135. 
Paradoxornis,  117,  118. 
Pardalotus,  126. 
Pan<2«,  6,  123. 
Par  oar  ia,  130. 
Parrida,  3,  54. 
Parroquet,  Barraband's,  84. 

Ostriches,  2,  8,  9,  137,  140, 
146. 

Otididce,  3,  55. 
Otidiphaps,  38. 
0£/s,  55. 
Otocompsa,  117. 
Otocorys,  129. 
Otogyps,  74. 
Ouzel,  Ring-,  119. 
Ouzels,  Water-,  118. 

INDEX 


159 


Parroquet,  Grass-,  84. 

— ,  Great-billed,  84. 
,  Ground-,  84. 

— ,  Horned,  84. 

— ,  Long-billed,  84. 

— ,  Pennant's,  84. 

— ,  Queen  Alexandra's,  84. 

,  Racquet-tailed,  84. 

,  Red-shouldered,  84. 

,  Rose-Hill,  84. 

,  Rose-ringed,  84. 

— ,  Tabuan,  84. 

,  Turquoisine  Green,  84. 

Parrot,  African  Grey,  84. 

,  Amazon,  84. 

,  Brush-tongued,  4,  85. 

,  Kaka,  85. 

—  ,0wl-,  83. 

— ,  Pesquet's,  84. 

,  Pigmy,  85. 

Parrots,  4,  83,  140,  147. 
Parson-bird,  127. 
Partridge,    American     Red- 
legged,  30. 

,  Barbary,  30. 

,  Black,  31. 

,  Common,  28. 

,  Common  Tree-,  30. 

,  Crested,  29. 

Partridge-like     Gaiue-Birds, 

28. 
Partridge,       Long-nailed, 

20. 
,  Long-tailed,  American, 

20. 

,  Mountain-,  28. 

,  Plumed,  20. 

,  Scaly,  19. 

,  Seesee,  30. 

,  Snow-,  31. 

Partridges,  2,  19,  28. 

— ,  American,  2,  19. 

,  Bamboo-,  20. 

,  Red-legged,  30. 

,  Thick-billed,  20. 

— ,  Tree-,  29. 
Pastor,  134. 

Pastor,  Rose-coloured,  134. 
Patagona,  95. 
Pauuw,  56. 
Pavo,  22. 
Pavoncella,  51. 
Peacock-Pheasant,  Bornean, 

23. 

,  Grey,  23. 

Peacock-l'heasants,  22. 
Pea-Fowl,  22. 

---,  Burmese,  22. 

,  Common,  22. 

Pedicecetes,  32. 
Pedionomus,  35. 
Peewit,  52. 
Pelngodronm,  44. 
Pelaryopsis,  87. 
Pelecanida,  4,  71. 
Pelecanoides,  43. 
Pelecanoidince,  43. 
Pelecanus,  71. 


Pelican,  Brown,  71. 

,  Dalmatian,  71. 

,      North     American 

White,  71. 
— ,  White,  71. 
Pelicans,  4,  71,  144. 
Peltohyas,  52. 
Penelope,  18. 
Penelope,  Black,  18. 
Penelopes,  IS. 
Penelopina,  18. 
Penguin,  Emperor-,  42. 
,  Jackass-,  42. 

— ,  King-,  42. 
Penguins,  3,  42.  141,  144. 
Penthttria,  131. 
Perch  ing-Birds,  107. 
Perdicints.  28. 
Pcrdicula,  28. 
Perdix,  28. 
Perdiz  grande,  15. 
Peregrine,  79. 
Pericrocotus'  116. 
Peristeropodes,  2,  17. 
Pern,  Andersson's,  79. 
Pernis,  79. 

Petrel,  Broad-billed  Blue,  44. 
,  Bulwer's,  44. 

— ,  Capped,  44. 

— ,  Collared,  44. 
,  Frigate-,  44. 

— ,  Fulmar,  43. 

,  Garnot's,  43. 

,  Giant,  44. 

— ,  Harcourt's  Storm-,  44. 
,    Leach's    Fork-tailed, 

44. 


— ,  Pintado,  44. 

— ,  Schlegel's,  44. 

,  Snowy,  44. 

,  Storm-,  44. 

,  White-breasted,  44  . 

,  Wilson's  Storm-,  44. 

Petrel-tribe,  43. 
Petrels,  3,  43,  144. 

,  Diving,  43. 

Petrtxca,  116. 
Pezophaps,  37. 
Pezoporus,  84. 
Phaethon,  72. 
PhaethontidcB,  4,  72. 
Phalacrocoracidce,  4,  69. 
Phalacrocorax ,  70. 
Phal&nopt  ilus,  92. 
Pbalarope,  Grey,  50. 

,  Red-necked,  50. 

,  Wilson's,  50. 

Phalaropus,  50. 
Phaleris,  45. 
Pharomacrus,  97. 
Phasianidce,  2,  19. 
Phasianus,  21,  24. 
Pheasant,  Argus,  21,  23. 

— ,  Barred-backed,  25. 
— ,  Bornean  Crestless,  26. 

,  Bulwer's  Wattled,  26. 

.  Cape,  oL 

,  Cheer,  25, 


Pheasant,  Diard's  Fireback, 

26. 
,   Chinese  Ring-necked, 

24. 

— ,  Common,  24. 

— ,  Common  Koklass,  26. 

,  Crimson  Horned,  27. 

,  Elliot's,  25. 

— -,  Golden,  24. 
,  Japanese,  24. 

— ,  Lady  Amherst's,  24. 

— ,  Malayan  Crested,  26. 

— ,  Moonal,  26. 

— ,  Old  English,  24. 
,  Reeves',  24. 

— ,  Silver,  25. 
,  Soernmerring's,  24. 

— ,  Western  Horned,  27. 
Pheasants,  2,  19,  21. 
,  Barred-backed,  21. 

— ,  Blood-,  27. 

— ,  Crow-,  99. 

,  Eared,  26. 

,  Fire-backed,  26. 

,  Himalayan  Kalij.  25. 

,  Horned,  27. 

,  Kalij,  25. 

,  Stone- ,  27. 

,  True,  24. 

Phibalura,  111. 
PhUacte,  67. 
Philceterus,  132. 
Philemon,  127. 
PMlepitta,  114. 
Philepittidas,  6,  114. 
Phili/dorin<e,  109. 
Phlogomas,  38. 
Phoebetria,  43. 
Phxnicocerciis,  111. 
Phceniconaias,  68. 
Phomicophais,  99. 
Phoenicopterida,  4,  68. 
Phofnicopterus,  68. 
Photodilus,  82. 
Phoyx,  60. 
Phytotoma,  113. 
Phytotomida,  6,  113. 
Piaya,  99. 
Picathartes,  136. 
Picidee,  5,  103. 
Picoides,  104. 
Piculet,  Hargitt's,  104. 

,  Rufous,  1.04. 

Piculets,  103,  104. 
Picmnnus,  104. 
Pious,  104. 

Pigeon,     Bartlett's      Blood- 
breasted,  38. 

,  Chatham  Island, 

,  Giant  Crowned,  38. 

,  Grey-naped    Groun.. 

38. 

,  Jambu  Fruit-,  38. 

,  Nicobar,  38. 

,  Nutmeg-,  38. 

—  ,  Orange  Fruit-,  38. 

• ,  Passenger,  38. 

,  Red-crowned,  38. 


160 


INDEX. 


Pigeon,  Tooth-billed,  3,  37. 
,  Wood-,  38. 
Pigeons,  3,  38,  140. 
Fruit-  38   140 

Polioaetus,  80. 
Poliohierax,  79. 
Polioptila,  116. 
Polyboroides,  75. 
Polyborus,  75. 
Polyplectron,  22. 
Polytelis,  84. 
Porphyrio,  40,  142. 
Porphyriola,  40. 
Prairie-Hen,  32. 
Pratincole,     Black-winged, 
54 

Quail,  Black-breasted,  29. 
,  California!!,  20. 
,  Common,  29. 

UV>r>l    Of) 

fti-Aon    PYllif-     H') 

t  Ground-,  38. 
Pigeon-tribe,  36. 
Pipile,  19. 
Pipit,  Meadow,  128. 

—  ,  Harlequin-,  20. 
,  Massena,  20. 

—  ,  New  Zealand,  29. 

T?  a  i  n  -    90 

,  Red  -throated,  128. 
Richard's  l'*8 

,  Van  Raalten's  Swamp-, 
29. 
,    White-  faced    Crested, 
19. 
Quails,  2,  19,  28,  29. 
,  American,  19. 
,  Bustard-,  35. 

<~!  mat  or!      1Q 

Rock     1  °8 

,  Tawny,  128. 
,  Tree-,  128. 
Water     1°8 

Pratincoles,  3,  54. 
Przwa,  120. 
Prion,  44. 
Prionirhynchus,  90. 
Prioniturus,  84. 
Prionodura,  134. 
Prionopidce,  6,  122. 
Prionops,  122. 
Prionotelus,  97. 
Procellaria,  44: 
Procellariidce,  3,  43. 
Prodotiscus,  102. 
Prosthemadera,  127. 
Psarisomus,  106. 
Pseudogryphus,  73. 
P^eudonestor,  127. 
Pseudotantalus,  62. 
Psittacida,  4,  83. 
Psitlaciformes,  4,  83. 
Psittacus,  84. 
Psophia,  58. 
Psophiida,  4,  58. 
Psophodes,  117. 
Ptarmigan,  34. 
Pteroclida,  3,  34. 
Pternistes,  31. 
Pterocnemia,  8,  10. 
Pteroglossus,  101. 
Pteropodocys,  116. 
Pteroptochidce,  5,  108. 
Pteroptochus,  108. 
PtiloMori-s,  112. 
Ptilocichla,  118. 
Ptilonorhynchida,  6,  134. 
Ptilonorhynchus,  134. 
Ptilopachys,  21,  27. 
PtUopus,  38. 
Ptilotis,  127. 
Pastes,  84. 
Pucrasm,  26. 
Puff-birds,  5,  104. 
Puffin,  Common,  45,  141. 

Pipits,  6,  128. 
Pipra,  112. 
PipridcB,  5,  112. 
Pithecophaga,  76. 
Pithys,  109. 
Pitta,  114. 
Pittas,  6,  114. 
Pittidce,^,  114. 
Pityriasis,  123. 
Plant-cutters,  6,  113. 
Plantain-eaters,  100. 
Platalea,  62. 
Plataleida,  4,  62. 
Platibis,  62. 
Platycercus,  84. 
Platylophus,  122. 
Plauius,  46. 
Plectrophenax,  129. 
Plectropterus,  67, 
Plegadis,  62. 
Ploceidce,  6,  131. 
Ploceus,  131. 
Plotus,  46,  69. 
Plover,  American    Golden, 
52. 
Black-headed  53 

,  Painted,  29. 
,  Swamp-,  29. 
Querquedula,  65. 
Quezal,  97. 
Qttiscalus,  132. 
Quit,  Banana,  130. 
Quit-Quits,  130. 

Rail,  Land-,  39. 
W^illooo'o    ^Q 

,  Water-,  39. 
,  Weka,  39. 
Rails,  3,  39. 
Rainbirds,  99. 
Rallid<e,  3,  39. 
tfaMws,  39. 
#a*!ite?,  2,  7. 
Raven,  136. 
Razor-bill,  46. 
Recurvirostra,  53. 
Red  Grouse  X  Black  Grouse, 
33. 
Redpoll,  Lesser,  130. 

Mo.llTT          1    -^rt 

—  ,  Caspian,  52, 
rji.uk-  S  4Q 

Redshank,  51. 

—  ,  Crested-Wattled,  53. 

frnlrlpn     59 

Redstart,  American,  128. 
,  Black,  120. 
,  Common,  120. 
Red-wing,  119. 
Reed-Bunting,  130. 
Reed-Warbler,  120. 
Reedling,  Bearded,  124. 
Reeve,  51. 
Regulidce,  2,  124. 
Reyulus,  124. 
Reimvardtanas,  38. 
Remiza,  123. 
Rhamphastida,  5,  100. 
Rhamphastos,  101. 
Rhamphococcyx,  99. 
Rhamphoccelus,  131. 
Rhea,  Darwin's,  10. 

(rr<vif  hillprl     10 

,  Green,  52. 

Grpv    59 

,  Kentish,  52. 
TfilrWr    59 

—  ,  Little  Ringed,  52. 
,  Norfolk,  54. 

-    TJino-r-rl     59 

—  ,  Sociable,  53. 
Stono    °  54 

Wrv-1  -ill  oil    59 

Plovers,  3,  50. 
Pluvianus,  .53. 
Pochard,  Common,  64. 
—  ,  Red-crested,  64. 
Pochards,  64. 
Podargida,  5,  86. 
Podargus,  86. 
Podica,  40. 
PodicipedidcB,  3,  40. 
Podicipes,  41. 
Poephila,  132. 
Pogonorhynchus,  102. 

TnfVprl    4-5 

Puffinus,  4:4. 
PycnonotidcB,  6,  117. 
Pt/cnonotus,  117. 
Pyranga,  131. 
Pyrocephalus,  113. 
Pyroderus,  111. 
Pyromelana,  132. 
Pyrrhoc&mx,  136. 
Pyrrknlauda,  129. 
Pt/rrhulopsis,  84,     ,    •. 

T?nMi.ipli;M'a     TO 

Rheas,  2,  10. 
/toe^tf,  2,  10. 
Rheinhardtius,  23. 
Rhinoceros-  Bird,  134. 
Rhinochetidai,  4,  57. 

INDEX. 


Rhinochetus,  57. 
Rhino2)lax,  91,  92. 
Rhinopomastus,  90. 
Rhinoptilus,  53. 
Rhinoriha,  99. 
Rhipidura,  116. 
Rhizothera,  31. 
Rhodinocichla,  119. 
Rhodonessa,  67. 
Rhodostethiu,  48. 
Rhopodytes,  99. 
Rhynchops,  48. 
Rhynchostruthus,  130. 
Rhynchotus,  1.5. 
Rifleman,  114. 
Sing-Ouzel,  119. 
.fffssa,  47. 
Road-runner,  99. 

Robin,  120. 

,  Australian,  116. 

,  Chinese,  117. 

Roc,  11. 

Rock-Dove,  38. 

Rock-hopper  Penguin.  42. 

Rock-Pipit,  128. 

Roller,  Broad-billed,  89. 

,  Common,  88. 

,  Lort  Phillips',  88. 

Rollers,  5,  88. 

,  Madagascar,  88. 

Rollulus,  29. 

Rook,  136. 

Rose-Finch,  130. 

Roselk,  84. 

Rostratula,  50. 

Rustrhamus,  78. 

Rotche,  46. 

Rukigula,  117. 

Ruby-crest,  124. 

Ruby-throat,  120. 

Ruff,  51. 

Rupicola,  111. 

Rupornis,  76. 

Sabre-wings,  96. 

Sage-Grouse,  32. 

Sanderling,  51. 

Sand-Grouse,  3, '34. 

,Pallas'sThree-toed,  35. 

Sand-Martin,  115. 

Sandpiper,    American     Pec- 
toral, 51. 

,  Baird's,  51. 

,  Bartram's,  51. 

,  Bonaparte's,  51. 

,  Broad-billed,  51. 

,  Buff-breasted,  51. 

,  Common,  51. 

,  Curlew,  51. 

— .  Green,  51. 
— ,  Marsh,  51. 

,  Purple,  51. 

— ,  Snipe-billed,  51. 

,  Solitary,  51. 

— ,  Spoon-billed,  51. 

,  Spotted,  51. 

.— ,  Wood-,  51. 

Sarcidiornis,  67. 


Sarciophorus,  53. 
Sarcorhaniphus,  73. 
Sasia,  104. 
Saurothera,  99. 
Saurur<s,  2,  7. 
Saw-bills,  63. 
Saxicola,  120. 
Schizorhis,  1(JO. 
Scissor-bill,  48. 
Scleru-rin<e,  109. 
Sclerurus,  109. 
Scolapax,  50.     ••  . 
Scopida,  4,  61. 
Scops,  81. 
Scopus,  61. 
Scoter,  Common,  65. 
Scotiaptex,  82. 
Scotopelia,  81. 
Scotornis,  93. 
Screamer,  Derbian,  69. 
Screamers,  4,  69,  144. 
Scrub-birds,  6,  115. 
Seythrops,  99. 
Sea-Eagles,  78. 
Sea- Parrot,  45. 
Sea-Pies,  52. 
Sea-Swallows,  48. 
Secretary-Birds,  4,  73. 
Sedge-Warbler,  120.         £ 

Seed-snipe,  d'Orbigny's,  50. 

,  Gay's,  50. 

Seed-Snipes,  3,  50. 

Selasphorus,  95. 

Seleitidera,  101. 

Sericulus,  134. 

Serin- Finch,  130. 

Serpent-Eagles,  77. 

Serpentariidce,  4,  73. 

Serpentarius,  73. 

Setophaga,  128. 

Shag,  70. 

Shahin,  79. 

Shamas,  120. 

Sharp-bills,  5,  112. 

Shearwater,  Greater,  44. 
— ,  Mediterranean  Greater, 
44. 

,  Little  Dusky,  44. 

— ,  Manx,  44. 
— ,  Sooty,  44. 

Sheath-bill,  49. 
— ,  Lesser,  49. 

Sheath-bills,  3,  49. 

Sheld-Duck,  Common,  66. 

Shoe-billed  Storks,  4,  61. 

Shore-Larks,  129. 

Short-wings,  118. 

Shovelers,  65. 

Shrike,  Great  Grey,  123. 

,  Lesser  Grey,  123. 

— ,  Masked,  123. 
— ,  Red-backed,  123. 

,  Woodchat,  123. 

Shrikes,  6,  122. 
— ,  Cuckoo-,  116. 
— ,  Madagascar,  6,  122. 
— ,  Wood-,  6,  122. 
Siai'ia,  120. 


Sibia,  118. 

Sibia,  Long-tailed,  118. 
Simorhynchtis,  45. 
Singing-Birds,  115. 
Siptornis,  110» 
Siskin,  130. 
Sisura,  116. 
Sitta,  124. 
Sittid<B,b,  124. 
Skua,  Great,  47. 

,  Poinatorhine,  47. 

,  Richardson's,  47. 

Skuas,  3,  47. 
Sky-Lark,  129,  143. 
Smew,  63 
Snake-Birds,  69. 
Snipe,  Common,  50. 

,  Double,  50. 

,  Great,  50. 

,  Jack,  51. 

,  Painted,  50. 

,  Solitary,  50. 

Snipes,  Seed-,  3,  50. 
Snow-Bunting,  130. 
Snow-Cock,  Tibetan,  31. 
Snow-Cocks,  31. 
Snow-Finch,  130. 
Snow-Partridge,  28. 
Solan  Goose,  70. 
Solitaire,  3,  37. 

Somateria,  64. 

Songless  Birds,  107. 

Sparrow,  Tree-,  130. 

Sparrow-Hawks,  75. 

Sparrow,  House-,  130. 

Spatula,  65. 

Speotyto,  82.. 

Spkecotkeres,  133. 

Spheniscidte,  3,  42. 

Sphenisctts,  42, 

Sphenocercus,  39. 

Sphenoproctus,  96. 

Spilornis,  77. 

Spixaetus,  77. 

Spisiastur,  77. 

Spoonbill,  Australian,  62. 

,  Common,  62. 

,  Roseate,  62. 

Spoonbills,  4,  62. 

Spur-Fowl,  27. 

,  Indian,  21. 

,  Painted,  27. 

Squatarola,  52. 

Starling,  Common,  134. 

,  Yellow-breaeted,  134. 

Starlings,  6,  134. 

,  Glossy,  134. 

,  Madagascar,  6,  133. 

,  Tree-,  6,  133. 

Sfeato)~nis,  86. 

Steatornifhidce,  5,  86. 

Steganopiis,  50. 

Stercorariida,  3,  47. 

Stercorarius,  47. 

Sterna,  48. 

Stictonetta,  65. 

Stilt,  Black-winged,  53. 

Stiltia,  54. 


162 


INDEX. 


Stint,  American,  51. 
,  Little,  51. 
,  Temmiuck's,  51. 
Stipiturus,  121. 
Stock-Dove,  38. 
Stonechat,  120. 
,  Eastern,  120. 
Stone-Curlew,  54. 
Stone-  Pheasants,  21,  27. 
Stone-Plovers,  3,  54. 
Stork,  Black,  61. 
,  Open-billed,  62. 

SarlrHn-hillftrl    fi9 

Sypheotis,  56. 
Symium,  82. 
Syrrhaptes,  35. 

Taccocua,  99. 
Tachornis,  94. 
Tachyeres,  65. 
Tachytriorchis,  76. 
Tadorna,  66. 
Tailor-birds,  121. 
Talegallus,  17. 
Tanagers,  6,  131. 
Tanagrida,  6,  131. 
Tanygnathus,  84. 
Tanysiptera,  88. 
Tapacolas,  5,  108. 
Teal,  American,  65. 

Tina/motis,  15. 
Tinamou,  Rufescent,  15. 
Tinamous,  2,  14. 
Tinamus,  15. 
Tinker-  bird,  102. 
Titlark,  129. 
Titmouse,  Bearded,  6,  124. 
,  Blue,  123. 

Pr.nl     191 

rV«et»rl      193 

Grcit   l-)3 

,  Long-tailed,  123. 

,  Shell-,  62. 
,  Whale-headed,  61. 
,  White,  61. 
,  White-bellied,  62. 

Wh  i  t  A-n  (*r*\rf*r\     ft9 

,    Northern    Marsh  -, 
123. 
,  Sultan,  123. 
Tits,  6,  123. 
,  Bearded,  6,  124. 
,  Wren,  6,  124. 

n^niv         1  1  Q 

Storks,  4,  61,  62. 

Blue-winged,  65. 

,  Shoe-billed,  4,  61. 
Strigidce,  4,  82. 
Strigiformes,  80. 
Stringops,  83. 
Strix,  82. 
Struthio,  8. 
Struthionidee,  2. 
Struthious  Birds,  7. 
Sturnella,  129,  132. 
Sturnidce,  6,  134. 
Sturnus,  134. 
Sula,  70. 
Sulida,  4,  70. 
Sun-birds,  6,  126. 
Sun-Bitterns,  4,  57. 
Surniculus,  98. 
Suthora,  117,  118. 
Sutoria,  121. 
Swallow,  Common,  115. 
,  Red-rumped,  115. 

Common,  65. 
Cotton-,  67. 
Falcated,  65. 
Tern  Arctic,  48. 
Black,  48. 
Bridled,  48. 
Caspian,  48. 

Tityra,  111. 
Tmetothi/lacus,  128. 
Todidce,  '  b,  90. 
Todies,  5,  90. 
Todirhamphus,  88. 
Todus,  90. 
Totaniiite,  51. 
Toucan,  Greeu,  101. 
--  Orange-breasted,  101. 
Toucans,  5,  100. 
Touraco,  Great  Crested,  100. 
Touraco,  Violet,  100. 
Touracos,  5,  100,  143. 
Tracheophona,  107. 
Tragopan,  27. 
Traversia,  114. 
Tree-Creepers,  125. 
Tree-Pipit,  128. 
Treron,  39. 
Trichoglossus,  85. 
Tricholcema,  102. 
Trochilid(B,  5,  95. 
Troglodytidae,  6,  118. 
Irogon,  97. 
Trogonidie,  5,  97. 
Trogojtiformes,  97. 
Trogons,  5,  97. 
Tropic-Bird,  Fulvous,  72. 

Gull-billed,  48. 
Little,  48. 
Eoseate,  48. 
Sandwich,  48. 
Scissor-billed,  48. 
Sooty,  48. 
Whiskered,  48. 
White  48 

Terns,  3,  47. 
Terpsiphone,  116. 
Tetrao,  31. 
Tetraogallus,  31. 
Tetraonid<e,  2,  31. 
Tetrapteryx,  59. 
Tetrastes,  33. 
Tetrax,  55. 
Thalassogeron,  43. 
Thaumatibls,  62. 
Thick-knee,  54. 
,  Australian,  55. 

Swallows,  Sea-,  48. 
Swallow-Shrikes,  6,  122. 
Swallows,  6,  115,  143,  144. 

WV\r*rl       1  9*> 

Swallow-wing,  105. 
Swan,  Bewick's,  68. 

"Rliplr    (\R 

Tropic-Birds,  4,  72. 
Troupials,  132. 
Trumpeters,  4,  58. 
Trupialis,  132. 
Tui,  127. 
Turacus,  100. 
Turdidcs,  Q,  119. 
Turkey,  American,  21. 
—  ,  Honduras,  21. 

,  Mute,  68. 
,  Polish,  68. 
,  Trumpeter,  68. 
,  Whooper,  68 
Swans,  4,  68,  140. 
Swift,  Alpine,  94. 
,  Common,  94. 
,  Crested,  94. 

_    TPaniilonl-    QJ. 

Thinocorus,  50. 
Thrasaetus,  76. 
Thrasher,  Leconte's,  119. 
Thrush,  Black-throated,  1  19. 
,  Dusky,  119. 

MiatlA        1  1Q 

,  Rock-,  119. 
.Siberian,  119. 
,  Song-,  119. 
,  White's,  119. 
Thushes,  6,  119. 
,  Chat-,  120. 
,  Wattled  Ant-,  114. 

Whiatliiiff-     118 

,  Palm-,  94. 
,  Spine-tailed,  94. 
Swifts,  5,  93,  141,  144. 
Sycalis,  130. 
Sylviida,  6,  120. 
Syma,  87. 
Synallaxis,  110. 
SynoKcus,  28,  29. 
Synthliborhamphus,  46. 

Turkeys,  2,  21,  140. 
Turkey-  Vultures,  4,  72. 
Turnicidce,  3,  35. 
Turnix,  36. 
Turnstone,  52. 
Turtle-Dove,  38. 
Turtur,  38. 
Twite,  130. 
Tympanuchus,  31,  32. 

Tichodroma,  125. 
Timeliidce,  6,  117 
Tinamida,  2,  14. 

INDEX. 


163 


Tyrannidce,  5,  112. 
Tyrant-birds,  5,112. 
Tyrant,  King-,  113. 
Tyrants,  Olive,  113. 
Tystie,  46. 

Umbrella-birds,  110. 
Upupa,  90. 
Upupidce,  5,  90. 
Uratelornis.  88. 
Uria,  46. 
Uroaetus,  77. 
Urocissa,  136. 

Vanellus,  52. 
Vanga,  122. 
Vangidas,  6,  122. 
Vestiaria,  127. 
Vidua,  131. 
Viduas,  131. 
FZ?M,  85. 
Ft>«o,  121. 
Vireonida,  6,  121. 
Vorondreo,  88. 
Vultur,  74. 
Vulture,  Bearded,  76. 
,  Black,  74. 
,  Black  Turkey-,  73,  144. 
—  ,  Californian,  73. 
—  ,  Cinereous,  74. 
,  Condor,  73. 
,  Eared,  74. 
,  Egyptian,  74. 
,  Griffon-,  74. 
—  ,  Himalayan  Griffon,  74. 
,  King-,  73. 

Warbler,  Grass-,  120. 
,  Grasshopper,  120. 

frl'f»af  T?f>«rl       1  91 

Wood-Hoopoes,  90. 
Wood-Lark,  129. 
Wood-Partridge,  Black,  30. 
—  ,  Crimson-headed,  30. 
,  Ferruginous,  30. 
Woodpecker.Ant-eating,  103. 

,  Greenish  Willow-,  121. 
,  Icterine,  121. 
,  Marsh-,  120. 

O»«nhaiivi      1*7!                                                              H-i-aof    "RlooL-      1A.1 

120. 
,  Pallas's  Willow-,  121. 
,  Radde'8,121. 
,  Reed-,  120. 
—  ,  Rufous,  121. 
,  Sardinian,  121. 
,  Savi's-,  121. 
—  ,  Sedge-,  120. 
,  Subalpine,  121. 

Thorn-tnilprl     1  10 

—  ,  Greater  Spotted,  104. 

fti-ppn    10'-< 

—  ,  Ground-,  103. 
—  ,  Hairy,  104. 
,  Ivory-billed,  104. 
—  ,  Lessor  Spotted,  104. 
,  Lewis's,  103. 
,  Middle  Spotted,  104. 
,  Rufous,  103. 
,  Three-toed-,  104. 
Woodpeckers,  5,  103. 
Wood-Pigeon,  38. 
Wood-Shrike,  Ruppell's,  122. 
Wood-Shrikes,  6,  122. 
Wood-Swallows,  122. 
Wood-Wren,  120. 
Wren,  Emu-,  121. 
Wren,  118. 
,  Fire-crested,  124. 
,  Golden-crested,  6,  124, 
—  ,  Great  Bay,  H8. 
Wren-Tits,  6,  124. 
Wren,  Wood-,  120. 
Wrens,  6,  118. 
Wryneck,  Common,  104. 
Wrynecks,  103. 

Xantholeema,  101. 
Xanthopygia,  116. 
Xanthura,  136. 
Xema,  48. 
Xeiiicidce,  6,  114. 
Xenicus,  114. 
Xenops,  110. 
Xenorkynckus,  62. 
Xiphidiopterus,  53. 
Xiphocolaptes,  109. 
Xipholena,  111. 
Xiphorhamphus,  117. 
Xiphorhijnchus,  109. 

Yaffle,  103. 
Yellowshank,  51. 
Yiperu,  113. 
Yuhina,  118. 

Zanclostomm,  99. 
Zosteropidce,  6,  125. 

..  Willow-,  120. 
,  Willow-,  Northern, 
121. 

Willow-,  121. 
Warblers,  6,  120. 

Waterhen,  40. 
Water-Ouzels,  118. 
Water-Rail,  39. 
Waxwing,  121. 
Weaver-Finches,  6,  131,  141. 
Weavers,  Sociable,  132. 
Weka  Rail,  39. 
Wheatear,  Black-eared,  120. 

Ttlnr-t-thrnntorl     1  9O 

Desert   1^0 

White-headed   74 

Isabelline  120 

Vultures,  4,  74. 
Turkey-  4  72 

120. 
Whimbrel,  51. 
Whinchat,  120. 
Whip-poor-Will,  92. 
White-eyes,  6,  125. 
Whitethroat,  120. 
Lesser  1°0 

Vulturidce,  4,  74. 

Wagtail,  Black-headed,  128. 
.Blue-headed,  128. 
Grey    128 

Grey-headed   128 

,  Pied,  128. 
,  Ray's,  128. 
White  128 

Whydah-birds,  131. 
Wigeon,  66. 
,  American,  66. 
Willow-Grouse  X  Black 
Grouse,  34. 
Willow-Warbler,  120. 
—  ,  Northern,  121. 
Winged  Wolf,  76. 
Wonga-wonga,  38. 
Woodcock,  50. 
Wood-hens,  39. 

W^norl-hftwfirs    /»    109. 

,  Yellow,  128. 
Wagtails,  6,  128. 
Wall-creeper,  125. 
Warbler,  Aquatic,  121. 
,  Barred,  121. 
.  Cetti's,  121. 
Dartford  120 

,  Garden-,  120. 

anlrlAn    Ir'fi 

THE  END 


PRINTED  BY  TAYLOR  AND  FRANCIS,  RED  LION  COURT,  FLEET  STREET. 


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