198 BIRD GALLERY. 



XI. Sun-Bittern (Eurypyga major) mounted with outspread wings in an attitude 

 the bird is fond of assuming. 



XII. Fit/. 1. The Cariama (Cariama cristata), a South American bird whose 

 position in the Avian System has given rise to much discussion. Some 

 authors have placed it in the Accipitres near the Secretary-Bird (Serpen- 

 tarius serpentarius) , Fig. 2, which it closely resembles in general appearance 

 and in some of its habits ; but many consider that its proper position is 

 with the Cranes. 





XIII. Little Bittern (Arde.Ua minuta), taken from specimens mounted to shew the 



immature bird in a protective attitude with the body drawn up to its fullest 

 extent to imitate the surrounding reeds. 



XIV. The Australian Plumed Egret (Mesoplwyx plumifera) in breeding dress 



shewing the " dorsal train " of feathers used as ornamental plumes and 

 known among dealers as " Ospreys." 



XV. Represents a very old male of Steller's Sea-Eagle (Ilaliaetus pelayicus), 

 exhibited in the Group of these birds presented by Mr. Henry Seebohm. 



XVI. A female Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) with her young. Taken from 

 Group no. 155 illustrating the Nesting-Series of British Birds ; the male 

 is not included in the Plate. The bird beneath the foot of the female is a 

 Golden Plover in summer plumage. 





XVII. Taken from the Group illustrating the breeding-place of the Common King- 

 fisher (Alcedo ispida), Nesting-Series of British Birds, no. 99. The birds 

 perched outside the entrance formed part of the brood and were respec- 

 tively six and seven weeks old. The parent bird and remaining young 

 can be seen in the case, part of the bank having been removed to shew the 

 internal construction of the burrow. 



XVIII. A group of Indian Ilornbills including a pair of the Rufous-necked Horubill 

 (Acerog nepalensis) and the Homrai (Dichoceros bicornis) , two of the largest 

 species. The Plate shows the extraordinary development of the bill in 

 these birds. 



XIX. Fig. 1. The Kaka Parrot (Nestor meridioncdis) from New Zealand is closely 

 allied to the Kea (N. notabilis). The latter is notorious on account of its 

 habit of attacking living sheep and tearing open their backs to devour the 

 kidney-fat. 



Fig. 2. A male of the Pennant- winged Nightjar (Cosmetornis vexillarius) 

 which has the ninth primary quill enormously lengthened. The bird is 

 well known to most travellers in Tropical Africa, and presents a remark- 

 able appearance when on the wing. 



XX. Represents a portion of the interior of a cave in which a colony of Esculent 

 Swifts (Collocalia fudphaga) have attached their nests. These are of the 

 finest " white " quality, so highly prized by the Chinese for making Birds'- 

 nest soup. 



XXI. A pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers (Dendrocopus major) with their 

 .L i o Lf nesting-hole and young. Taken from Group no. 78 illustrating the Nesting- 



Series of British Birds, 



