J*"' KIKI) CIALI.KIIY. 



White Aiiis (Giilri,) (1422) and the IMack Auis {Cm/ojjha,,/,) { 1421). The 

 hitter are remarkable on acconnt 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. ^Mlsopiiagid.i:. Touka( os. 

 [Case (13.] These birds, often called Plantain-eaters, and locally known a* 

 " Lowries," include about twenty-five species grouped in six geuera. 

 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 arc mostly grey. To the former category belong the numerous 

 species of Tumciis (]H2b), and a few included in GoUirex (1428) and 

 Musoj'//ni//i ( 1429). All these liirds havethe tlight-feathers mostly crimson 

 and j'ield a peculiar jiigment 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 grecu 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. 207). The Violet Touraco ( Miifiiijj/i(ii/a rin/ncca) (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 {Cvri/t/ueo/a rriKtatu) (1430), the largest 

 member of the family, is also a very handsomely-coloured biril, but the 

 species of /SW«'-(//7(/.v ( 1431) and G'y«;»&«c///co;7//.s- (1432), the two remaining 

 genera, are dull-coloured and mostly of a grey or greyish-l)rown tint. 



A remarkable fossil form (Nccrurnis) occurs in the Middle Miocene 

 of France, indicating that the family is one of great antiquity. 



Order XXVIII. PICIFORMES. Woodpeckers and allies. 



The Toucans, Barbets, Honey-Guides, and Woodpeckers rei>resenting 

 this order possess many structural characters in common, such as thcii' 

 zygodactylous foot, with the first and fourth toes directed backwards 

 and the second and third forwards. 



Family I. Rhamtuastid.e. Toucans. 



[Case 65.] The Toucans are a large and brightly-coloured group, plentifully 

 represented in the forests of Central and South America, especially in 



