INSESSOEES. 311 



Menagerie in which large numbers of these birds were kept ; 

 physicians were also appointed to watch their diseases and apply 

 timely remedies. This was by order of the King, who not only 

 delighted in the sight of so many species, but was very careful 

 of their feathers for the sake of the famous mosaic images and 

 pictures, as well as other works which were made of them. 



The Trogon (Calurus) resplendens, (Lat. shining brightly.) is 

 the QUESAL of Guatimala. Unlike some others of the family, 

 its beak is not serrated ; the head is surmounted with a com- 

 pressed and elevated crest; the upper tail-feathers are so enor- 

 mously developed as to hide the tail. (See Chart.) "It is 

 Scarcely possible," says Mr. Gould, " for imagination to conceive 

 anything more rich and gorgeous than the golden-green color 

 which adorns the principal part of the plumage, or more elegant 

 and graceful than the flowing plumes which sweep pendent from 

 the lower part cf the back, forming a long train of metallic brill- 

 iancy." From the feathers of this, "the most beautiful of a 

 beautiful tribe," not excluding, however, those of some other 

 species the Mexicans made Mosaic pictures, together with orna- 

 ments for their head-dresses. A picture in mosaic, made from 

 the feathers of this bird, is preserved in the Ashmolean Museum, 

 Oxford, Eng. The subject is " Christ fainting upon the cross." 

 The entire picture is about as large as the size of the palm of 

 the hand, and the figures are only half an inch in height ; yet 

 it is said, the very expression of the features is preserved. 



Priorities, (Gr. serrated ) The MOTMOT. 



The name of this genus is derived from the serrated margins 

 of both the mandibles, in which particular it differs from the 

 other Trogons. The Motmot, P. Braziliensis, is a very curi- 

 ous and handsome bird, inhabiting many parts of South Amer- 

 ica. 



What is said concerning the size and number of the PERCHING BIRDS ? 

 What of their variations in form and structure ? Why are they called 

 PERCHERS ? What is said of their power of flight ? What of their beak, 

 food, and musical powers ? What of their instinct in building their nests? 

 How do they always live ? Into what TRIBES are they arranged, and upon 

 what is the arrangement based ? How are the Split-Bills distinguished from 

 all the others ? How and upon what do they feed ? Is there any exception to 

 this ? Where is the home of the Fissirostral birds ? Are any found in 

 temperate zones? Name the FAMILIES into which this tribe is divided. 

 Give the characteristics of the Night-jars. In what respects do they re- 

 semble the Owls ? Why are these birds called Goat-Suckers ? What is 

 said of their voices ? What sp. are mentioned ? Which is diurnal and 

 what is said of it ? Describe the Common G. S. of E. What is said of the 



