EURYPYGIDAE 265 



siderable time in the nest, but this is by no means certain ; those 

 of Eurypyga do so, it is true, but those of Cranes and Eails do not. 

 Immature specimens are more rufous, with black bars above. 



Though formerly the Kagu was not rare in its native island, 

 it is now restricted to the wilder portions, where it is to be 

 met with among the rocks of craggy ravines or near stagnant 

 waters, sleeping throughout the day and issuing from its conceal- 

 ment towards evening. It walks quickly, yet in a stately manner, 

 often coming to a standstill or crouching, and remaining motion- 

 less for a long period ; but it can also run rapidly with the head 

 and neck outstretched, and the body carried after the manner 

 of a Kail. The habits in confinement, however, make it some- 

 what doubtful whether the bird is as nocturnal as is asserted, for 

 in the daytime it is quick and lively in its motions, chasing its 

 fellow-captives, dancing round with the tip of its outspread wing 

 or tail held fast in its bill, tossing about dry leaves or pieces of 

 paper, spreading out its wings and thrusting its beak into the 

 ground, kicking with its legs, and finally tumbling about as if in a 

 fit. The note is guttural and rattling, or almost a scream ; the 

 food consists of molluscs, worms, and insects, sought for among the 

 grass or in crannies, while the bill is often plunged into the soil, 

 and worms pulled out, shaken and swallowed. When in quest of 

 food the bird often paws the earth with gentle strokes, and snails 

 are usually beaten upon the ground to break the shell. It will 

 bathe in captivity, and is said to like wet weather in its native 

 haunts. The nest is unknown, but eggs laid at the Zoological 

 Society's Gardens in London are reddish -buff with brown and grey 

 markings, and recall those of the Woodcock or Corncrake. 1 



Fam. VIII. Eurypygidae. Two species of Eurypyga are 

 comprehended herein, namely, E. helias of the countries from 

 Venezuela to Bolivia and Central Brazil, and E. major of Central 

 America, Colombia, and Ecuador. These are, like the Kagu, very 

 ancient types, but whereas that bird shows some affinity to Scopus, 

 these trend rather towards Nycticorax, both being, however, essenti- 

 ally Gruiform. The neck is long and thin, the bill rather slender, 

 with grooves on the maxilla and mandible : the whole leg and 

 foot are as in RJiinochetus, but shorter, weaker, and reticulated 

 behind; the wings and tail are even more ample, while the number 

 of primaries and rectrices are the same, but the secondaries are only 

 1 Layard, Ibis 1882, pp. 534-535 ; Bartlett, P.Z.S. 1862, pp. 218 ; 1868, pp. 114-116. 



