202 CO LIES. 



The Chilian Plant-cutter {Phytotoma rard), is rather a large species, 

 being equal to a thrush in its dimensions. It is a common bird in its native 

 country, and is most destructive to the crops. It is very fond of sprouting 

 corn, and, not content with eating the green blades, it seems to lind such 

 pleasure in the exercise of its bill, that it cuts down hundreds of stalks, as if 

 in mere wantonness, and leaves the green stems strewed upon the ground. 

 On account of these destructive propensities, it is greatly persecuted by the 

 agriculturists, who assiduously shoot and trap it, and further aid in its exter- 

 mination by setting a price on its head, giving a certain sum to any one who 

 will bring in a dead" bird. Its cry is rough, and resembles the name Rara, given 

 to it by the inhabitants of Chili. The nest is made on the summit of a tree, and 

 in some very retired situation; so that, in spite of all the persecution which it 

 meets with, the plant-cutter still holds its ground against the farmers, and 

 generally rears its brood in safety, notwithstanding the reward which Molina 

 says is (or in his time was) given to children and other persons to destroy 

 the eggs. The same writer says that its numbers were considerably dimi- 

 nised, and adds, " I do not know whether this circumstance is because a price 

 is set on its head, or on account of its natural small degree of fecundity." 

 From an anatomical point of view, these birds are remarkable on account of 

 the extreme shortness of their alimentary canal, which is scarcely of half the 

 length of that of other birds even of the same genus. 



A species of plant-cutter {Phytotoma tridactyla) peculiar to Abyssinia, is 

 said to destroy great quantities of almonds and stone fruit. 



FAMILY V. 

 THE COLIES. COLID.F:. 



General Characteristics. — Bill moderate, with the culmen elevated at the base, 

 and the sides compressed to the tip, which is acute ; the nostrils placed in the 

 middle of a large membranous groove, with the opening small and exposed ; the 

 wings short ; the tail much lengthened and graduated ; the tarsi robust, and the 

 toes lengthened, the outer as long as the inner, the hind toe moderate, united at the 

 base of the inner toe, and directed forwards. 



These birds are peculiar to the continent of Africa, where they 

 perch upon trees, amongst the branches of which they may be 

 seen hopping from one to another in search of the fruits or freshly- 

 formed buds. Their flight consists of little more than flitting from 

 tree to tree ; and they have a peculiar habit of suspending them- 

 selves by one foot, with the head hanging downwards. Their feet 

 are constructed like those of the swifts, with all four toes turned 

 forward. The tarstis, considering the size of the bird, is unusually 

 thick and strong ; and the claws of all the toes are more curved 



