EXPLANATION OF PLATKS. 5 



XIX. A group of Indian Hornbills including a pair of the Rufous-necked 

 Horubill (Aceros nepalensis) and the Horurai (Dichoceros hkornin), 

 two of the largest species. The Plate shews the extraordinary 

 development of the bill in these birds. 



XX. llepresents a portion of the interior of a cave in which a colony of 

 Esculent Swifts {Collocalia fuciphaga) have attached their nests. 

 These are of the finest " white " quality, so highly prized by the 

 Chinese for making Birds'-nest soup, 



XXI. A group of " Parasitic Birds " which place their eggs in the nests of 

 other species and leave their young to be brought up by the 

 foster-parents. 



Fir/. 1. A pair of the common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). 



Fig. 2. A pair of Cow-birds (MoJothrus honariensis). 



The latter belong to the American family of Hang-nests (Tcteridce). 



XXII. A pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers {Dendrocopus major) with 

 their nesting-hole and young. Taken from Group No. 78, illus- 

 trating the Nesting-Series of British Birds. 



XXI 1 1. Fig. 1. A pair of the Australian Lyre-bird (il/emovt superha) shewing 

 the extraordinary development of the tail in the male. 

 Fig. 2. A pair of Gardener Bower-Birds [Amblyornis inornata) from 

 New Guinea. These birds are remarkable for their architectural 

 sldll and tlie a?sthetic taste they display in preparing their playing 

 grounds. They build a miniature cabin made of different mosses, 

 surrounded by a perfectly-kept meadow of moss and studded with 

 brilliantly coloured flowers, fruits, and insects, which as they become 

 faded are constantly replaced. 



XXIV. A pair of Gardener Bower-Birds (Amhh/oynis suhalaris) in their 

 " Play-house." Sent from the Owen Stanley Range, British New 

 Guinea, by Captain F. R. Barton, C.jM.G. 



