VIOLET PLA>;TA1N-EATEB.— J/itsqi/ioi/a violu&a. 



Tlie number of the eggs is from four to six. Wlien fat aud in good condition, the flesh 

 is said to be delicate and tender. In size it is about equal to a blackbird. 



The general colour of this species is a rather light chestnut-grey, brightening into 

 ruddy fawn on the forehead. The crest is composed of fine and slender feathers. The 

 nape of the neck takes a Vilue tint, and the back is grey, changing to slaty blue on tlie 

 upper tail-coverts. The chin aud the abdomen are pearl-gi-ey, and the chest is of tlie 

 same light ruddy fawn as the forehead. The beak is thick aud sturdy, and is black at the 

 tips, and brown towards the base. 



Allied to the colies we find another curious and interesting group of birds called the 

 Plantain-eaters. 



These birds are natives of Africa, where they are not at all imcommon, and in the 

 forests which they frequent may be seen flitting among the branches of the lofty trees, 

 gliding among the boughs with great adroitness, aud displaying their sliining silken 

 plumage to the best advantage. They are war}' birds, and seem to have tolerably accurate 

 idea-s respecting the range of shot, for they mostly keep to the highest parts of the tree, 

 and can but seldom be approached sufficiently near to be kiUed by the gun. Their food 

 is almost wholly composed of fruits, and for feeding on such substances they are well 

 suited by their large and peculiarly formed beaks. 



They are all handsome birds, their dimensions averaging those of the European jay, and 

 their plumage glancing -svith violet, green, puq^le, and red of different shades. One of the 

 finest of tlie species is the Violet Plantain-eater, a bird which is found about Senegal and 



K E 2 



