BIRDS. 



aaiT 



We shall mention only two other Afr^^an species of this 

 tribe, viz. the damask parrot (P. infuscatus), of which an 

 interesting account is given by Le Vaillant, and the Guinea 

 parrot (P. pvUarius), apparently figured on the 40th plate 

 of the second volume of Seba's Thesaurus. 



That division of the Linnaean genus Bucco now called 

 Pogo7iias, is peculiar to Africa. It contains about six spe- 

 cies, of which the manners are little known. That called 

 the Abyssinian barbican by Latham, was observed to cling 

 to the branches of trees like a woodpecker. 



Of the Trogons, an extensive tribe, of brilliant plumage 

 but ungraceful forms, the greater part are proper to Asia 

 and America. We are indebted to Le Vaillant for the 

 figure and description of an African species discovered by 

 him in the country of the Caffrcs, and called Narina, which, 

 it seems, in the Hottentot language signifies a flower. It 

 is the Trogan narhia of systematic writers. 



We come now to a limited tribe, entirely peculiar to 

 Africa, — the plantain-eaters, genus Musophaga. These 

 are large birds, elegantly shaped, and richly coloured. 

 The species are few in number, and their history is still ob- 

 scure. Allied to the preceding are the Touracos, likewise 

 characteristic of the African continent. One of the most 

 beautiful was classed by Linnaeus with the cuckoos, — the 

 Cuculv^ persa of that great obser\'er. Le Vaillant says that 

 there are great numbers of touracos in the country of the 

 Kottinquas, — that they are very difficult to shoot, as they 

 perch only on the summits of the tallest trees, and rarely 

 suffer any one to come within gunshot, — but that they are 

 easily caught alive by snares, baited with such fruits as are in 

 season. He adds that they arc excellent eating. Another 

 species of this genus which it is delightful to look upon, 

 is the Pauline touraco, Corythaix Paulina. It inhabits 

 Southern Africa. M. Vieillot had one alive, and he informs 

 us that its manners were mild and familiar : it lived on 

 succulent fruits, and was fond of sugar ; its habits were 

 active, and its voice sonorous and apparently ventriloqual. 



The different tribes and genera belonging to the great 

 order of gallinaceous birds are the next to claim our regard. 

 The sympathies of such of our readers (if such there be) as 

 Bie regardless of that beauty of form and splendour of 



