THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 61 



bird was Halcyon, and the phrase "Halcyon Days," as applied to times of unusual prosperity, is said to have 

 been derived from the notion, for which there was no foundation, that the bird hatched its eggs in a floating 

 nest, and that during its incubation there was always a calm at sea. 



WEST SIDE Middle Shelf. Blue-winged Thrush. ..Sunbirds, representing in the Old World 

 the Humming Birds of the American Continent. 



Of this group, distinguished by their long, slender bills, and by the curious structure of their tongues, 

 which are long, and usually divided into threads or filaments like a brush, it has been remarked that it is among 

 the most interesting of the animal world. Among those in the case may be enumerated the Hoopoes and Sun- 

 birds, the males of which have beautiful plumage, and sing agreeably; they are most common in the warm 

 regions of the Eastern Hemisphere; the Honey-Eaters of Australia, whose tongue is terminated by a bunch of 

 delicate filaments, admirably adapted for licking up the sugared sweets of the flower-cups; and the Creepers, 

 Nut-hatchers, Wrens, and other small birds that feed on insects, chiefly obtained by striking the bark of trees. 

 But far the most interesting of the tenuirostres are the exquisite little Humming Birds. 



EAST SIDE. Megalophus of Brazil, very curious.... Fly Catchers. ..Bird of Paradise.... 

 the Rifle Bird, &c. 



Lower Shelf. Thrushes and Wrens from all parts of the world.. ..Red Toucan of Brazil, 

 very rare... Green and Blue Tanagers. 



CASE 8. 



Fishes. 



CASE 9. 



Parrots, inhabitants of all parts of the world except Europe. ...Parroquets, Cockatoos, 

 (large white birds;) Aracans, Toucans, Cuckoos, from New South Wales and Brazil princi- 

 pally. ...The Funereal Cockatoo is dressed in mourning suit. The Woodpecker of Brazil, on 

 the middle shelf, west side, is worthy of notice, also the Toucans and Aracans. On the 

 lower shelf are Trogons...Tamatia...Barbets, or Puff Birds. 



CASE 10. 



Fishes, mainly collected by Pacific Railroad and Mexican Boundory Expeditions. 



CASE 11. 



Kites... Hawks. ..Buzzards.. ..Falcons, the most courageous in proportion to their size of all 

 birds of prey. 



The most remarkable is the Peregrine Falcon, formerly used in the sport of hawking. These falcons were 

 very expensive; the use of them was permitted only to persons of rank, and to injure one of their nests, even on 

 one's own grounds, was a crime severely punishable- Their power of wing is almost incredible. A case is re- 

 corded of a falcon flying 1.350 miles in 24 hours, or nearly sixty miles an hour. When flown at a heron or any 

 other bird, their plan was to chase the bird, mount above it, and then swoop down upon it. To do this in. a 

 proper manner they required training. 



The beautiful birds at the north end with long tails are the Peacock Trogons. At the same 

 end, east side, is the Caracara Eagle. On the lower shelf are Owls from Australia, Brazil, 

 &c. The one with wings extended, is from Malacca. 



CASE 12. 



Fishes. 



Table Case, between Cases 11 and 13, is filled with Eggs of Eagles, Hawks, Owls, Wood- 

 peckers, Cuckoos, &c. 



CASE 13. 



Fishes. Observe the singular Hippocampus^ or Sea-Horse, from Ofa Point Comfort, Va. 

 Also the same from California. 



At the EAST EXD OF THE HALL we see two cases containing Birds and Animals, mounted 

 by the skilful taxidermist, J. G. Bell, of N. Y., and exhibited by him at the World's Fair, 

 as specimens of his art. 



The DOOR leads to the taxidermist's or preparation room, where Mr. C. Drexler is en- 

 gaged in mounting animals for the Smithsonian Museum. Any persons having a pet bird 

 or animal which they desire to preserve, can have it beautifully mounted by Mr. Drexler, 

 at a moderate charge. 



Ball struck by lightning. 



This ball was attached to the top of a lantern placed on the top of the old dome of the Capitol, in which it was 

 proposed to use the Drummond light for illuminating the city. The experiment failed, and a stroke of 

 lightning left its mark on this ball, which is here exhibited. 



