146 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Description Loss of plumage every year. 



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in a manner serial. The head and the back of 

 the neck are of a pale yellow ; the colour of the 

 most brilliant emerald covers the throat; the 

 breast and the upper part of the belly are of a 

 purple chesnut in most, but black in some, and 

 the wings are likewise chesnut. The bill is of a 

 greenish yellow, and the feet and claws are 

 brown. The head is very small in proportion to 

 the body; the eyes are also small, and placed 

 near the opening of the bill. They never fly 

 with the wind, which would ruffle their long plu- 

 mage, but always take a contrary direction; and 

 a change of wind sometimes obliges them to 

 alight on the ground, from which they can with 

 difficulty raise themselves again. When sur- 

 prised by a heavy gale they immediately soar 

 perpendicularly into a higher region beyond the 

 reach of the tempest, where in a serene sky they 

 float at ease on their light, flowing feathers, and 

 pursue their journey in security. 



They lose the beautiful feathers of their tail 

 every year, and it is several months before they 

 recover them. During this time, which is the 

 rainy season in the countries they inhabit, they 

 conceal themselves; but as soon as they have 

 grown again, the birds again appear abroad, and 

 fly in flocks like starlings in Europe. During 

 their flight, they utter n. note somewhat resem- 

 bling the croaking of a raven, and this is heard 

 very distinctly, when they are surprised by a 

 storm in their rear. 



