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NATURAL HISTORY. 



Broadbill (Corydon sumatranus) : " This species is spread throughout Tenasserirn, but is nowhere 

 abundant, being found in pairs or small parties, usually in moderately thin forest, but it occurs 

 also in dense forest. During the day it is sluggish, and a party will, like S. lunatus, allow them- 

 selves to be shot one after the other without any attempt to escape. 



" They have an oft-repeated, mellow, rather musical note, quite different from, and not at all of 

 the same class as that of he preceding species, and also a clear whistle, which they utter when 

 flying from tree to tree. It does not ascend the higher hills, nor indeed do any of the pre- 

 ceding species. Not only is their note entirely different, but they are far more sluggish than the 

 rest of the Broadbills, feeding almost exclusively morning and evening, and sitting for hours motionless 

 on a branch, sometimes high up and sometimes low down, in a slouching attitude, with their necks 

 drawn in and their bills pointing upwards. They are not at all shy, and by no means curious about 

 what is passing around them ; but one day, when I was waiting by a clear pool, watching for A Icedo 

 nigricans, one came and sat on a branch about ten feet distant. He clearly thought me a very 

 strange animal, for though he did not attempt to go away, he kept craning out his neck, and peering 

 down at me in a stupid inquisitive fashion. Thus we remained for about two hours, when a Kingfisher 

 not appearing, I shot my stupid neighbour." 



THE TENTH FAMILY OF THE MESOMYODI, OR SONGLESS BIRDS. 



THE PLANT-CUTTERS (Phytotomida). 



Only three species of Plant-cutter are known, one inhabiting Chili, a second the Ai'gentine 

 Republic, and a third Bolivia. In appearance they resemble a Finch or Tanager, and have been 

 placed by many authors in the vicinity of the last-named birds. D'Orbigny writes : " This singular 

 genus, well characterised by the numerous teeth in the cutting edges of the mandibles and of the 

 interior of the upper mandible, has, moreover, like the Tanagers of the genus Saltator, a strong tooth 

 near the extremity of the bill ; the wings are short ; the tail rather long and equal." The same writer 

 thinks that the Plant-cutters* should not be moved far from the Tanagers in the natural system, as 

 they resemble the latter birds a good deal in the form of the bill. In habits the Plant-cuttei-s are 

 still more like the latter birds, for they both live in the bushes and on the shrubs, where they feed 

 on fruits, berries, and buds, like the Saltatores, and they are constantly found in society with them. 



PLANT-CUTTEK. 



