MUSOPHAGID^. 223 



The Sub-Family, MUSOPHAGINJE, or Plantain- 

 Eaters, 



have the outer toe capable of being placed posteriorly. 



Genus TURACUS, Cuvier. 



Bill short, with the culmen elevated, and arched to the tip, 

 the sides much compressed, and the lateral ranrgiiis finely 

 serrated ; the nostrils placed in the middle of the upper man- 

 dible, large and open, but in most, more or less covered by 

 the recumbent plumes ; wings short, and rounded, with the 

 fourth to the seventh quills the longest ; tail lengthened, 

 broad and rounded ; tarsi shorter than the middle toe, and 

 covered in front with broad transverse scales; toes long, 

 united at their base, and the sides margined by a membrane ; 

 the lateral toes nearly equal, the outer one versatile ; the 

 claws moderate, thick, and curved. 



450. TuraCUS Persa. (Linn.) Edw. Birds, PI. 7 ; 

 Corythaix Persa, Vieill. ; Opoethus Africanus ; Cucu- 

 lus Persa, Linn. ; Shaw, Vol. IX., P. 1, p. 63 ; Corythaix 

 Albocristatus, Strickl. ; Common Louri. 



General colour, green, iridescent, with steel-blue on the 

 wings and tail, and approaching to dull black, or rifle-green, 

 on the thigh and vent ; head much crested, each feather 

 being tipped with white ; two white lines also extend from 

 the corner of the bill, and passing one on each side of the 

 eye, reunite behind it. The wings when expanded display 

 the most brilliant carmine, glossed with purple ; bill reddish, 

 but black at the base. Length, 19"; wing, 8" ; tail, 9". 



Very common throughout the forest districts. It feeds on fruits, 

 and frequents the highest trees, rarely if ever descending to the 

 ground, over which it can, however, travel with great rapidity if 

 brought down by a shot. The motions of this bird are very graceful 

 and light, and performed with an ease and rapidity that delight the 

 eye of the beholder. Strange to say, though I inquired carefully, I 

 never could obtain any information respecting the nidification of this 

 beautiful and common bird. Mr. Atmore, however, states that the 

 eggs are white ; but this must be from hearsay, as he writes : '' How 

 difficult it is to find these forest birds' nests. The Lories are breeding 

 now : but for the life of me I cannot find a nest. The young ones go 

 in troops, and are delicious eating : the old ones in pairs. We never 

 shoot specimens out of a troop, except for the pot." 



