64 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



flapping and sailing ; very jay-like in the small 

 species. The neck and feet are stretched out. 

 Disposition and Habits. — They are wary and intelli- 

 gent, and possessed of considerable affection for 

 each other. 

 Note. — Unmusical and loud ; often a positive bray or 



bellow. 

 Economic Qualities. — Some are said to be very good 

 eating, and some are valued as scavengers. When 

 they visit fruit gardens they are naturally very 

 destructive, but this seldom happens. 

 Captivity. — They live well in this state, are easily 

 fed, and when hand-reared, are remarkably tame 

 and affectionate, delighting in being fondled and 

 played with ; indeed, they can be left at liberty 

 without fear of their straying. None have ever 

 bred in this condition, however, and they are very 

 subject to defective feather-growth. 

 Distribution and Important Species. — The Tree 

 Hornbills, of which there are about sixty-five 

 species {Bucerotince) , are found in Africa, south 

 of the Sahara, and in South-East Asia to New 

 Guinea, in wooded country \ the Ground Horn- 

 bills {Bucorvince) are confined to Africa, where the 

 species (two only) frequent open land, but roost 

 on trees. These are as large as a turkey-hen, and 

 mostly black, with long shanks. One has the 

 casque open in front, while it is closed in the other. 

 Among the Tree Hornbills the most familiar in 

 India is the Grey Hornbill {Ocyceros birostris), about 

 the size of a magpie, with narrow pomted casque 

 on the bill ; in South Africa the Red-billed Horn- 

 bill {Tockus erythrorhynchus), variegated with 

 brown and white, and about the size of the 

 above. At our Zoological Gardens the Elate Horn- 

 bill of West Africa {Ceratogymna elata) is usually 

 on view, and does better than most species. 



