PASSERINE. 263 



stiff and arranged on two planes in an acute angle like a 

 roof. 



^. cotinga,L.; Le Cordon bleu, Enl. 186 and 188. Of the 

 most beautiful ultramarine, with a violet breast, frequently tra- 

 versed by a large blue band and spotted with dark yellow.(l) 



Tersina, Vieill. 



This subgenus consists of Crown-Birds whose beaks are a little 

 wider at base.(2) 



Ceblepyris, Cuv.(3) 



Has, in addition to the beak of the Crown-Birds, a singular cha- 

 racter which consists in the somewhat prolonged, stiff and spiny 

 stems of their rump feathers. They are found in India and Africa, 

 where they feed upon caterpillars which they collect upon the highest 

 trees, but they have nothing of the lustre of the true Crown-Birds. 

 Their tail somewhat forked in the middle is sloped on the sides. (4) 



We may also separate from them, 



BoMBYCiLLA, Briss. 



The Chatterers, in which the head is ornamented with a toupet of 

 feathers somewhat longer than the rest, possessing moreover another 

 singular character in the secondary quills of the wing, the ends of 

 the stems being enlarged into an oval, smooth, and red disk. There 

 is one in Europe, named, we know not why, 



A. garrulus, L. Enl. 261. (The Bohemian Chatterer.) Some- 

 what larger than a finchj plumage of a vinous greyj throat black; 

 tail black, edged with yellow at the tip; wings black, varie- 

 gated with white. This bird visits Europe in flocks, at long 

 intervals, and without regularity, from which circumstance, 

 its presence, for a long time, was considered as an evil omen. 

 It is very stupid, is easily captured and brought up; eats of 

 every thing, and a great quantity. Its habitat is thought to be 

 the extreme North. The flesh is esteemed a great delicacy. 



(1) Add J. cayana, Enl. 624. A. maynana, Enl. 299. i. aicullata,t., Col. 363, 

 Swains. Zool. 111. 37. A. caprea, Merremic. Av., 1, 2, appears to be a variety of 

 the carnifex. 



(2) A. tersa, Gm., La Tersine, BufF., Vieill, 119 or Procne tersine, Tem., Col. 5, 

 or Procnias hirundinacea. Swains. Zool. 111. Ill, 21. 



(3) The Greek name of an unknown bird. Vieillot has since given to this genus 

 the name of Campepliaga. 



(4) Such are the Muse, cana, Gm., Enl. 541, or tlie Echenilleur ccndre, Vaill. 

 Afr., pi. cl.\ii, Vieill., Galer. 130; the Echenilleur noir, Vaill. Ixiv. His Ech.jaime 

 is the young of the Turdus phcenicoptcrus, Tcm. Col. 71- Add Cebl. fimbriatus, 

 Tem , Col. 249, 250. 



