82 THE TOURAKO. 



Breeding. — Its nest, which it places in the hole of a tree, is formed of 

 moss, wool, hair, and straw. It lays eight eggs, which are white, and very 

 smooth. The adults and old ones are diiEcult to preserve and tame ; but 

 tlie young ones may be easily reared on ants' eggs, and the universal paste, 

 made of the crumb of wliite bread. 



Mode of Taking. — In general it is caught by putting lime twigs round 

 the nest ; but if the weather be stormy, as in spring, when it is busy 

 searching the bushes for insects, it may eveti be taken by the hand. The 

 one I now have was brouglit to me by a little boy who had taken it in this 

 manner. 



Attractive Qualities. — Independently of its beautiful plumage, it is 

 very amusing to see it make those movements which have giv^en it its name 

 of wryneck. It lengthens its neck, and turns round its liead, so that the 

 beak points down tlie back. Its general position is quite straight ; the 

 feathers of the head and throat very smooth, and the tail spread like a fan, 

 at the same time bovA'ing low. If it be irritated, or even if its food be 

 brought, it slowly leans forward, raising the feathers on its head, lengthen, 

 ing and turning its neck, rolling its eyes ; it then bows, spreads its tail, and 

 murmurs some harsl) sounds in its throat; in short, it puts itself in the 

 most singular attitudes, and makes the most ridiculous grimaces. At other 

 times it seems to liave a melancholy disposition. In spring the male often 

 cries in a full tone, gui^ gui, gui, gui, to call its female. 



M. de Schaurotli informs me that two wrynecks which he reared became 

 so tame, that they would hang about his clothes, and begin to warble as 

 soon as they heard him, or saw him even at a distance. One day, being 

 wearied and teazed with its incessant cries, he drove one out of the window; 

 but having called it towards evening, it immediately replied to his voice, and 

 permitted itself to be taken. One of these birds, which he let range about 

 at will, ha^nng perched on a neighbouring tree, he had only to hold out and 

 show it the box containing its food, and it returned immediately. 



THE TOURAKO. 



Cuculus Persa, Linn^us ; Le Tourako, Bufkon ; Der Turako, Bechstein. 



This Bird, which is about the size of a magpie, has been placed 

 among the cuckoos by Linnaeus, and those who have copied him, 

 only because its cry is couc, couc ; for in no other respect does 

 it belong to this genus. Its beak is short and thick, and re- 

 sembles that of the pigeon in shape ; the upper is bent over 

 the lower, and of a reddish brown ; the nostrils are covered 

 with feathers; the iris is nut-brown; the eyelids are edged 

 with small red warts ; the opening of the throat is wide, 

 extending to the back of the ears ; the nails of an ash grey ; the 

 head, thioat, neck, top of the back, with the upper wing-coverts, 



