160 



•IIIE FlATHIiUEI) TKU!Ii«. 



was near a pulilic' thoroughfare in London — the ornamental work at the top of a hunp- 

 post was selected, where eggs were laid, and in one case, if not in both instances, the 



T' ^--^ \ v^ >"^-^f ^ 



XUB SlUSL'R'ArA ALliUOLMS. 



young were matured. This bird often takes up its position on a post or stump, where 

 it may have a good point of A'icw for all the objects which may be aromid, and there 

 waits till its prey come flying within its sphei'e of operations ; when these appear, it at 

 once poimees on its victim. Often majf it be seen occupying such a spot for hours, even 

 though people may be at work ai'oimd. It is especially active at the time at which tlie 

 early fnuts ripen in the gardens, when it may be seen busily engaged in pursuit of the 

 flics which then thi'ong the trees. The poor bird, however, as is often the case with its 

 feathered companions, instead of receiving the thanks of those whom it thus helps, is often 

 regarded as the cause of the mischief ^^•hic]l it hibaurs to prevent, and is regarded as an 

 enemy to the friut-grower, being designated by him tlic " cherry-sucker:" It is, 

 accordingly, driven away or destroyed; but in all cases in \\liich the stomachs of these 

 birds have been examined, no indications of fiiiits have tliei'e been found. 



The Ccphaloptcrus Ornafus inliabits the forests of Brazil. It is about the size of a 

 rook, its plumage is of a blue-black colour, while it can raise the feathers on its head so 

 as to assume the ver}^ remarkable shape and appearance indicated in the engraving, and 

 which ha.s been liken<Kl to a snuiU but elegant parasol. The entire aspect of ibis liird is 

 very striking. 



The Lnniits Forfwatm is found congregaled with others of i(s race in little gruups in the 

 forests in some districts of Southern Africa. Its plumage is black, and it has a crest 

 formed of feathers rising from the front and crown of the head, and bending forward 

 over the beak. The l)eak, feet, and claws are black. These birds go out in the 

 evening and morning, when a very animated spectacle is presented, as some twenty or 

 thirty of them may be seen flying about in all directions, in jmrsuit of the bees, on 

 which they obtain a favourite repast. 'J"he assemblagi; of these birds, 8a3's Le Vaillant, 

 is rcgard(^d by the Hottentots as a conversation Ix'tween them and evil spii-its, and 

 hence they have awarded thein the di":ii;iiatif>ii ,,{" ■'■''/'■'Ji<; as indicative of their supposed 

 intercourse. 



The C'c/<'j)i/rk of Cuvier is anotlur bird of this family, and is found in Africa and 

 India ; it has a remarkably-slmped head. Tlic beak is triangular, convex below, termi- 

 nating in a bent and indented point, and having bristles at the commissure. The tarsi 



