224 VARIEGATED PLANTAIN -EATER. 



compressed beyond, and the substance appears alto- 

 gether solid ; so that, although we are ignorant of 

 their respective manners, there can be no doubt that 

 this feeds upon much harder fruits than the last. 



The crest of this species is very peculiar ; for it 

 is placed, not, as in the generality of birds, on the 

 top or crown of the head, but directly on the nape, 

 so that when erected, it must have a very singular 

 appearance. We suspect that, at such times, it 

 assumes the appearance of a ruff, not much unlike 

 those, narrow and pointed, worn as court dresses by 

 our ancestors. The feathers in question are linear 

 lanceolate, that is, remarkably narrow and sharp 

 pointed, gradually diminishing in size to the bottom 

 of the neck. 



General plumage above very light grey, with a 

 narrow blackish stripe down each feather ; the front 

 and top of the head, and the whole of the chin and 

 throat, as far as the breast, is chestnut brown ; the 

 under plumage beyond the breast is white, each 

 feather having a dark stripe down the middle ; the 

 primary and secondary quills are blackish, with a 

 spot of pure white more or less large in the middle 

 of their inner webs. The tertials and middle tail- 

 feathers are grey, tipt with black ; the lateral tail- 

 feathers being entirely of the latter colour; bill 

 pure yellow ; legs grey. 



Total length about 20 inches ; bill from the gape, 

 ! T 4 o ; wings, 9 ; tail beyond, 6 ; from the base, 10 

 tarsus, 1 ; middle toe and claw, If ; lateral ditto, 



