i62 CROWS. 



The Umbrella Bird (Cephaloptems ornatus), which in its general appear- 

 ance might be mistaken for an Enghsh crow adorned with a curious plume 

 upon its head, and furnished with a remarkable tuft that hangs from its breast. 

 Its crest is composed of long slender feathers, rising from a contractile skin 

 on the top of the head ; the shafts are white and the plume glossy blue, and 

 when raised the whole has much the appearance of a Grecian helmet. The 

 tuft upon the breast is equally peculiar, consisting of a long cylindrical fleshy 

 growth, covered with feathers that overlap each other like so many scales. 

 The food of the umbrella bird consists of fruits and berries, and its cry is 

 remarkably deep-toned and loud. 



The type of this sub-family is — 



The Oronoco Fruit-Crow {Coracina Oronocensis). 



Siib-Fainily VI. 

 THE CHOUGHS. I'YRRHOCORACIN/E.* 



General Characteristics. — Bill more or less long, slender, and slightly curved, 

 with the culmen rounded and curved to the tip, which is rather acute and slightly 

 emarginated ; the nostrils broad, lateral, and hidden by the projecting feathers ; the 

 wings lengthened and pointed ; the tail long and rounded, or even ; the tarsi strong 

 and rather short ; the toes moderate, with the lateral ones nearly equal. 



The Choughs are not a numerous race : in this country we have 

 but a single species, and that confined to particular mountainous 

 districts. On the continent birds belonging to this sub-family 

 are met with in the Swiss Alps and the Tyrol, frequenting the 

 loftier regions, where they breed. With us the chough is seldom 

 seen far inland, but breeds on the sea-cliffs, or in old castles and 

 church towers near the shore. The nest is formed of sticks, and 

 lined with a great quantity of wool and hair. The eggs are of a 

 bluish white colour, speckled with yellowish brown. These birds 

 are of lively gait and of a restless and crafty disposition, like 

 many of the crow genus. Their attention is particularly caught 

 by glittering objects. Their natural food principally consists of 

 insects, even the smallest of which they can reach, with their 

 sharp bill, in the crevices of rocks and the joints of walls. 



The type of this race of birds — 



"The Cornish Chough {Fregilus graculns)," says the Rev. Mr. Wood, 

 "is essentially a coast bird, loving rocks and stones, and having a great dislike 



* TTvppds, pyrros, rsd; ^■ipa^, corax, <i cnn^' : having the feet and beak of a bright red 

 colour. 



