COKYID.?^:. 201 



kiiids^ for the purpose of plucking their fruits and 

 berries : they are also said to devour young birds. 

 Some species inhabit the Australian continent, where 

 they live in small companies of three or four toge- 

 ther, on the topmost branches of the trees. They are 

 extremely quick and restless, the whole company 

 leaping from branch to branch in rapid succession, 

 at the same time throwing up and expanding their 

 tails and wings, actions which are generally accom- 

 panied by a harsh and unpleasant cry. Others 

 inhabit the jungles of India, where their peculiar 

 metallic or harsh rattling notes betray their pre- 

 sence, even among the thickest foliage. 



The best-known species — 



The Cinereous Wattle-bird [Callceas cinerea), is an 

 inhabitant of India ; it measures fourteen or fifteen 

 inches from the beak to the extremity of the tail, and 

 is remarkable for the possession of two fleshy, wattle-like 

 appendages, dependent on each side from the base of the 

 lower mandible. These wattles are of a blue colour at 

 their base, but elsewhere of a bright orange-yellow, 

 giving the buxl a very singular appearance. The Wattie- 

 bh'd sometimes perches on trees, but is more frequently 

 seen upon the ground, where it seeks its food, which con- 

 sists of insects, worms, and berries. It is accused of 

 killmg young birds. Its voice is a sort of whistle, some- 

 times accompanied by a low murmuring sound, and is 

 rather of an agreeable character. 



The typical form is — 



The Fronted Dsndrocitta (Dendrocitta frontalis). 



