CROWNED 



majestic, and well according with the beautiful feathered crown which they bear upon 

 their heads. The crest seems to be always held expanded. They have a quaint habit of 

 sunning themselves upon the hot pavement of their prison by lying on one side, laying 

 the head flat on the ground, tucking the lower wing under them, and spreading the 

 other over their bodies so as to form a very shallow tent, each quill-feather being 

 separated from its neighbour, and radiating around the body. Sometimes the bird varies 

 this attitude by stretching the other wing to its full length, and holding it from the 

 ground, at an angle of twenty degrees or so, as if to take advantage of every sunbeam 

 and every waft of air. 



While lying in this unique attitude, it might easily pass at a little distance for a 

 moss-covered stone, a heap of withered leaves, or a rugged tree-stump, with one broken 

 branch projecting to the side. No one would think of taking it for a bird. Un- 

 fortunately, it is a difficult matter to take a sketch of the bird while thus reposing, for 

 there are so few salient points, that a very careful outline is needed, and its companions 

 are sure to come and peck it up before the sketch can be concluded. 



