100 



VEUTEBliATA. 





talUc-jjroon. The foiiialo is <liill and somber in its colors. This l)iril is found in the southeastern 

 portion of Australia, where it elinil>s upon the trunks of trees in the same manner as tlie Creep- 

 ers, which it resembles in its general habits. Little is known of the mode of life of the other 



species. 



THE PLUMED BIRDS OR EPlMACHIXyE. 



These liave usually been associated with 

 the birds of ]^aradisc, which they rival in 

 the splendor of their plumage. Some of 

 them are furnished with long, dazzling 

 plumes, similar to those which distinguish 

 these brilliant birds. The species are very 

 few, and almost confined to New Guinea 

 and the adjacent islands; one species is 

 found in New Zealand, and two in Aus- 



+ T* Q 1 1 Q 



Genus EPIMACHUS : Epimachus of 

 Cuvier, corresponding to the Promerops of 

 Brisson, and the Rhinojjomastes of Smith. 

 This includes the E. albus, which is of a 

 fine metallic violet-black color, with a broad 

 collar of feathers margined with emerald- 

 green at the base of the neck. Long float- 

 ing plumes spring from the back and rump; 

 they are of a white color, and very long, 

 with long, silky, distant barbs, and twelve 

 of the lower plumes are terminated by long 

 filiform continuations of the shafts, which 

 are curved and blackish toward the extrem- 

 ity ; these formerly obtained for this species 

 the name of the Twelve-threaded Bird of 

 Paradise. 



The Grand Promerops, E. maf/mcs, is 

 found in New Guinea, along the coasts ; 

 the genei'al color is blackish-brown ; tail 

 three feet long, thrice as long as the body ; 

 feathers of the sides elongated, raised, curled, 

 glittering on their edges with steel-blue, 

 azure, and emerald-green, like precious | 

 stones ; the head and the belly lustrous also 

 with steel-blue. In truth, language fails to 

 convey any just idea of the magnificence of this species. 



THE HOOPOES OR UPUPID^. 



These, of which there are only a few species, all belong to the eastern hemisphere ; they have 

 the bill slender, slightly curved throughout, the tip acute ; the toes long and strong, the outer 

 one united to the middle toe at the base ; the claws are curved and powerful. The crown of the 

 head is ornamented by a crest of feathers, which the bird raises and lowers at pleasure. 



The Genus UPUPA: Upupa, includes the Common Hoopoe, U. epops: it is widely dispersed 

 over Africa, Asia, and Europe, being migratory in the latter country. It is twelve inches long, and 

 of an exceedingly elegant appearance ; the head and neck are of a pale red color ; the fore part 

 of the back light purplish-red ; behind this it is of a reddish-white color, barred with black ; the 

 wings are black, with several irregular white bars, and the tail is black, with a single white bar 



THE GRAND PROMEROPS. 



