9^ BIRD GALLBRY. 



abyssinicm) (1188) is almost omnivorous, devouring small mammals, 

 reptiles, and all kinds of insects, and sometimes uniting with its fellows 

 to attack and kill large snakes, against which they advance in company. 



The Bucerotinee including all the remaining species, about sixty in 

 number, are characterised by their comparatively short legs suited to their 

 arboreal habits. They frequent dense forest and tall jungle, but at 

 times descend to the ground to bathe, and dig up the loose soil with 

 their bills. The food consists chiefly of fruit and berries; but small 

 mammals, reptiles, and even fish are sometimes eaten. 



The diflferent genera are chiefly characterised by the shape of the 

 casque, which varies greatly in form, and in some cases is very slightly 

 developed. 



The species, as may be seen by the examples shown in the Case, difEer 

 immensely in size, the Rhinoceros-Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) (1189) 

 and Homrai (Dichoceros bicornis) (1190) [PI. XIX. figs, c & <^] being 

 very large birds, while Cassin's Pigmy Hornbill [L. camurus) (1194) is 

 comparatively small. Some species, such as the Rufous-necked Hornbill 

 [Aceros nepalensis) (1199) [Figs, a & 6J and the West African Hornbill 

 {Ceratogymna atrata) (1203), have the plumage of the sexes entirely 

 different in colour, and these, as well as many other forms, are provided 

 with large crests. One of the most noteworthy is the Helmet- Hornbill 

 [Rhinoplax vigil) (1212), from the Malay countries, with its solid-fronted 

 casque (already alluded to) and its unusually long middle tail-feathers. 

 The ivory-like part of the casque is much used by Eastern artists for 

 carving and making brooches. 



Family XI. Caprimulgidjs. Nightjars. (Plate XVII. fig. %.) 



[Case (jl.l ^I'he Nightjars, or " Goatsuckers " as they are often called, include a 

 large number of species with soft Owl-like plumage ranging over the 

 greater part of the world, but apparently absent from the Eastern 

 Pacific Islands. They are mostly noctamal in their habits, feeding on 

 insects which are captured on the wing, but some species, such as the 

 American Chordiles (1223-4), hawk in the full glare of the sun. The 

 cry is generally harsh, and often loud and distinct, as in the North- 

 American " Whip-poor- Will" {Caprimulgus vociferus) (1219). The two 

 beautifully marbled oval eggs are usually laid on the bare ground 

 without any nest ; and the young, though helpless when first hatched, 

 are covered with down. The species of Fhalanoptilus are an exception 

 to the rule, and lay white eggs like their close allies the Oil-Birds and 

 Frog-mouths. 



Two subfamilies are recognised, viz., the Caprimulgina, characterised 

 by having the claw of the middle toe pectinate or furnished with a kind 

 of comb, and the Nyctibiirue, in which the claw of the middle toe is 



