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THE CHOUGH. 



Scarcely less curious than the "umbrella," as this overhanging plume is very appro- 

 priately named, is a bunch of elongated feathers that hang from the breast in a tuft, perfectly 

 distinct from the rest of the plumage. The peculiarity in this tuft is, that the feathers of 

 which it is composed do not grow from the neck, but from a cylindrical fleshy growth, about 

 as thick as an ordinary goose-quill and an inch and a half long. The whole of this curious 

 appendage is covered with feathers, so that the breast tuft is wholly distinct from the feathers 

 of the neck and breast. The entire skin of the neck is extremely loose, more so than in any 

 other bird, according to Mr. Wallace. The feathers of this tuft are edged with a beautiful 

 and resplendent blue, and lap over each other like so many scales. 



The food of the Umbrella Bird consists chiefly of berries and various fruits, and it always 

 rejects the hard stones of stone fruit. As its cry is extremely loud and deep, the natives call 

 the bird by a name which signifies a pipe. 



SCARLET CROWS. 



OF the next little group of Corvidse, named the Pyrrhocoracinae, or Scarlet Crows, in allu- 

 sion to the red bill and legs of some of the species, Europe possesses a good example in the 

 common CHOUGH. In all these birds the beak is long, slender, slightly curved downwards, 

 and with a small notch at the extremity. 



CHOUGH (Fregilus graeulvs) ; and ALPINE CROW. -(Pyrrhocorax alpinw). 



The Chough is essentially a coast bird, loving rocks and stones, and having a great dislike 

 to grass or hedges of every kind. When in search of food it will venture for some little 



