2 QO BRITISH BIRDS. 



This is the only species of. its kind found in 

 this kingdom; and it is not very common with 

 us, being seen only at uncertain periods. The 

 foregoing representation was taken from a very fine 

 one, shot near Bedlington, and sent for this work, 

 by the Rev. Henry Cotes. In the stomach were 

 found the claws and other indigestible parts of 

 insects of the beetle tribe : it was alive some time 

 after being wounded and taken, and walked about, 

 erecting its tail and crest in a very pleasing 

 manner. The sexes differ little in appearance; 

 they moult once a year. The female is said to 

 have two or three broods in the year; she makes 

 no nest, but lays her eggs, generally about four or 

 five in number, in the hollow of a tree, antt some- 

 times in a hole of a wall, or even on the ground. 

 Buifon says, that he has sometimes found a soft 

 lining of moss, wool, or feathers, in the nests of 

 these birds, and supposes that, in this case, they 

 may have used the deserted nest of some other 

 bird. Its food consists chiefly of insects, with the 

 remains of which its nest is sometimes so filled 

 as to become extremely offensive. It is a solitary 

 bird, two of them being seldom seen together; in 

 Egypt, where they are very common, they are seen 

 only in small flocks. Its crest usually falls behind 

 on its neck, except when it is surprised or irritated ; 

 it then stands erect; and its tail also, as well as 

 its crest, is generally at the same time erected, 

 and spread like a fan. 



