THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 59 



NEST. A platform of twigs placed on a bush over 

 water. 



EGGS. Several ; spotted, much like those of rails. 



FOOD. Leaves and berries, especially of aroids. 



GAIT. They move actively among the branches, but 

 seem not to come to the ground. 



FLIGHT. Heavy and awkward, and not prolonged to 

 any distance. 



NOTE. A harsh hissing screech. 



DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are sociable and keep 

 in flocks. 



ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Their interest is purely scien- 

 tific ; they are not insectivorous, and of no use as 

 food, having a very unpleasant smell. 



CAPTIVITY. They have not been kept in captivity in 

 Europe as yet. 



DISTRIBUTION. South America, along the sides of 

 rivers. There is only one species (Opisthoco- 

 mus hoaziri), a rather handsome bird, coloured 

 buff, brown and chestnut, and known as 

 " Hanna," " Qigana," " Stinking Pheasant," or 

 " Governor Battenberg's Turkey." 



HONEY-GUIDES (Indicatoridce). 



DIAGNOSIS. Small pair -toed birds, with small beaks 

 with curved profile. 



SIZE. From that of a lark to that of a linnet. 



FORM. Bill short, with curved profile, usually thick 

 and very like a finch's ; feet with toes in pairs, the 

 first and fourth turned back, all free. Wings 

 short ; tail moderate. General appearance like 

 an ordinary " small bird." 



PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Plain, with some mark- 

 ings of yellow, and white in the tail. Sometimes 

 a sex-difference, but no seasonal change. Young 

 much like the adult. 



