2o6 



PLANTAIN-EA TERS. 



singular as its shape— a fine golden yellow, passing into crimson on the upper 

 part of the base. The top of the head is crimson, not unlike that of the beak, 

 and the feathers are very soft and fine, havin;^ a velvety or pkish-like aspect. 

 The general colour of the plumage is very deep violet, appearing black in the 

 shade, and glossed with rich green in certain lights 



Another species found in Southern Africa and in the extensive eastern 

 forests, Le Vaillant represents as being of so inquisitive a disposition, that it 

 spontaneously approaches a man or a quadruped, leaping from tree to tree. 



Fig. 109. — The Violet Plantain-eater (Musophaga violacea). 



and uttering a cry of satisfaction, which is expressed by the syllable '"'' cor^'' 

 uttered with a prolonged and guttural articulation, and with a quiver of tlie 

 tongue. Its love-call has been represented by the word 'Vvrcz/Tt/," uttered 

 eight or ten times in succession, and its note of alarm has been compared to 

 the abrupt sounds of a military trumpet. The female lays four bluish white 

 eggs in the large holes of trees. 



The Touracos {Turacus) are only found on the continent of Africa : some 

 of them inhabit thickets, in the densest portion of which they seek their food, 

 which consists of fruits. They arc usually very shy, and, when alarmed, remain 

 perfectly motionless ; so that, as their colour very closely approximates that 

 of the surrounding foliage, they are not easily discovered. 



