697 



MUSOPHAGID.E. 



MUSOPHAQID^E. 



P. Kara. Molina describes the Rara, or Chilian Plant-Cutter as 

 nearly of the size of a quail, with the bill rather large, conical, 

 straight, a little pointed, serrated, and half an inch in length ; the ; 

 tongue very short and obtuse, the pupil of the eye brown. Three 

 well-proportioned anterior toes, the fourth posterior and a little 

 shorter. The tail moderate, but rounded. The colour is an obscure 

 gray upon the back, rather brighter on the belly ; the points of the 

 quills and of the tail are black. The sound of its voice is hoarse and 

 interrupted, and seems to express its name. It feeds on plants, but 

 previously has the destructive habit of cutting them off close to the 

 root, and often capriciously cuts off a quantity of them without 

 touching them further. For this reason the peasants persecute this 

 species, and carry on a continual war against these birds ; moreover 

 children who destroy their eggs are rewarded. The nest is built in 

 obscure and but little frequented places on the most lofty trees, and 

 thus these Plant-Cutters escape the persecutions of their enemies. 

 Notwithstanding such precautions however, their numbers are con- 

 siderably diminished. " I do not know," says Molina in conclusion, 

 " whether this is because a price is set on its head, or on account of 

 its naturally small degree of fecundity." 





Chilian Plant-Cutter (Phytotoma Kara). 



Mr. Swainson observes that in Phytotoma the four toes appear to 

 be arranged as in the Finches, but in Hyreus, the other genus of this 

 sub-family, the toes are only three. He compares the size and entire 

 aspect of Phytotoma to that of a Bullfinch. 



Colince, Colies. The only definition of this sub-family given by 

 Mr. Swainson is, " all the four toes placed forward," and the only 

 genus contained in it is 



Coliiu (Brisson and Gmeliu). Bill short, strong, conical, slightly 

 compressed, entire, with the mandiblea equal and the edges arched. 

 Nostrils rounded ; nails arched and long, that of the hind toe shortest. 

 Wings short; third quill longest. Tail graduated and very long. 



The plumage of the species is soft and silky, and the colours 

 generally sombre, whence they are called at the Cape, according to 

 Le Vaillant, Oiseaux Souris (Mouse-Birds). Africa and the East 

 Indies are the localities where they have been found, the Colius mridis 

 of Latham, said to be from Australia, belonging probably to another 

 genus. The Colies are gregarious, live upon fruits, and are the 

 scourges of gardens. They walk badly, but they climb almost con- 

 tinually on the branches of trees, where they hold on, assisting them- 

 selves with their bills like the Parakeets. They build their nests, 

 which are spacious and round, in little groups ; and Le Vaillant affirms 

 that they leep suspended with their heads downwards, and that, when 

 it i cold, thy are found so benumbed in the morning, that they may 

 be taken one after the other. The number of eggs is generally five 

 or six, and the flesh of the birds is said to be delicate. (Lesson.) 



C. Senegalemit (Latham). Round the eye a naked reddish skin ; 

 forehead yellow ; colour pearl-gray, with greenish reflections ; abdomen 



ruddy. 



ThU appears to be the Coliu Quiriwa of Le Yaillant; and the 

 Coliou Huppe 1 du Sdndgal of Buffon. 



Mutophagina:, Plantain-Eaters. Three toes forward and one back- 

 ward ; the outer toe placed obliquely. (Sw.) 



C'orythatx (llliger). Bill short, rather small, high, and greatly 

 compressed. The frontal feathers reposing over and concealing the 

 nostriU. Culmen high, curved to the tip. Lower mandible narrow ; 

 both mandibles distinctly notched at the tip and finely serrated. 

 Wings short, rounded ; the first three quills graduated. Tail long, 



Colius Scnegalcnsis. 



broad, rounded. Feet short, strong. Middle toe longer than the 

 tarsus ; lateral toes equal, hind toe shortest ; external toe capable of 

 being turned a quarter of the way backward. Clawa short, thick, and 

 much compressed. 



The following cuts will give but an imperfect idea of these elegant 

 birds. 



Head of Corythaix Seneoalensis 



The Touracos are most elegant birds, and feed principally on soft 

 fruits. The prevailing colour of these birds is green, varied in some 

 species with purple on the wings and tail. They are natives of Africn, 

 where they perch on the highest branches of forest trees, and thus 

 keep out of gun-shot, as Le Vaillant found to his cost. Having at 

 last succeeded in bringing one to the ground, he could not find it, 

 and, stamping in his rage at the loss, he broke through into one of 

 the covered pits which the Hottentots employed to catch ferocious 

 animals, particularly elephants. This accident might have been fatal. 

 " When I recovered my first surprise," says he, " I began to consider 

 how I should extricate myself from this embarrassment, extremely 

 happy that I had not been impaled on the sharp-pointed stake placed 

 in the bottom of the pit, and still happier that I found in it no 

 company. I was however apprehensive that some might arrive every 

 moment, especially if I should be obliged to remain there during the 



