92 



TEXUIKOSTRES. 



SUB-FAMILY /. 



Pkomekopin.e. 



Hie San-birds j^t'oper. 



EN Chauac. — Bill more or less curved, with the sides compressed to the 

 tip, which is acute, and the lateral margin sometimes finely serrated ; the 

 nostrils basal, and the opening closed hy a membranous scale ; the wings 

 moderate ; the tail more or less long, with the middle feathers sometimes 

 prolonged beyond the others ; the tarsi usually short ; the toes moderate, 

 the outer toe rather longer than the inner, and united at its base ; the claws 

 moderate, curved, and acute. 



Fig. 35.— the eed-breasted soui-.manga. 

 ( Clnvyris Senegal en six ) 



These sliowy birds are found tlirougliout the con- 

 tinent of Africa^ as well as in India and the adjacent 

 islands. They are generally seen upon the upper 

 twigs and smaller branches of trees and bushes ; 

 hopping quickly about, and moving their wings in a 

 tremulous manner while searching the blossoms ; or 

 occasionally hovering on the wing before flowers, 

 engaged in the same occupation. Spiders also form 



