202 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Seen at uncertain periods Food Habits. 



horns pointing downwards: the legs are short 

 and black. 



There is only one species of this bird found in 

 this kingdom, and even that is not very common, 

 being seen only at uncertain periods, [n the 

 stomach of one which was shot near Bedlington, 

 Northumberland, were found the claws and other 

 indigestible parts of insects of the beetle tribe : 

 it was alive some time after it was shot, and 

 walked about, erecting its tail and crest in a very 

 pleasing manner. 



The female is said to have two or three broods 

 in the year ; she makes no nest, but lays her eggs 

 (generally about four or five in number) in the 

 hollow of a tree, and sometimes in a hole in the 

 wall, or even on the ground. Buffon says, that 

 he has found a soft lining of moss, wool, or fea- 

 thers in the nests of these birds, and supposes 

 that, in such case, they may have used the de- 

 serted nests of some other birds. Its food con- 

 sists chiefly of insects, with the remains of which 

 its nest is sometimes so filled, as to become ex- 

 tremely offensive. It is a solitary bird, two of 

 them being seldom seen together. In Egypt, 

 where they are very common, they are seen only 

 in small flocks. Its crest usually falls behind on 

 its neck, except when it is surprised 01 irritated, 

 and then it stands erect. 



