358 FOREIGN BIRDS. 



The Horn'd-Screamer (^°), too, from the Savannah 

 was there, 

 Arm'd with spines on his wing, yet is said still to be 

 Of birds the most harmless, affectionate he. 

 And Grosbeaks, whose nests with what can we 



compare ? 

 Fame reports, too, with worms* noctilucent and bright, 

 They illumine their domes in the darkness of night ! 

 JBut Fame oft misleads us from Nature and Truth, 

 Her excitements deceive arje, and manhoody and youth. 



In its eggs and nest resembles those of the thr ush ; inhabits 



the osier banks of Dauria. 



The Cristellata, or Crested-Grakle, is eight and a half 

 inches long ; inhabits China ; is very loquacious, and makes a 

 hissing noise. 



(3°) Order, GRALLiC, (Linn.) Screamer, the Horned, the 

 Crested. 



The genus Palamedea, (Linn.) or Screamer, consists of 

 three species, having a conic bill, the upper mandible hooked, 

 feet four-toed, cleft; a very small membrane connecting the 

 toes at the root. They are as follow : — 



The Cornuta, or Horned-Screamer, has the wings with two 

 spurs at the head of each ; front horned ; the head and upper 

 part of the neck covered with short bristly feathers ; the rest of 

 the plumage is longer, of a dark brown colour, mixed with 

 green. The feet four inches long ; size of a large swan. The 

 first spur on the wing is two inches long; the second half an 

 inch. Notwithstanding this armour, it is said that this bird is 

 the most gentle of all animals; that the male and female are 

 always found in pairs, evincing great attachment for each other; 

 that they are inseparable ; and that, if one dies, the other does 



• Lampyris noctiluca, or Glow-worm. See page 177. 



