CHA TTERERS. 



3J 1 



peculiar vocal powers. Bates says : " The Indian name of this strange creature is 

 Uird mimbht,, or fife-bird, in allusion to the tone of its voice. ^Ye had the good 

 luck, after remaining quiet a short time, to hear its performance. It drew itself 

 up on its perch, spread widely the umbrella-formed crest, dilated ami waved its 

 glossy breast-lappet, and then, in giving vent to its loud piping note, bowed its 

 head slowly forwards. The nest of the umbrella-bird is built of small branches, 

 placed in the top of a tall tree." The eggs are white and two in number. In flight 



UMBRELLA-BIRD (J lUlt. sizi'). 



the helmet or crest is depressed, and the lappet is placed close to the body. The 

 plumage of the male is deep black throughout, the lappet being glossed with steel- 

 blue. The female has only the rudiments of the crest and lappet, and is altogether 

 duller-coloured than the male. 



Long known to travellers, in consequence of their remarkable 

 vocal powers, so closely resembling the ringing of a bell as to have 

 conferred upon them their popular appellation, three of the four known species 

 of the bell-birds (Chasmorynchus) have the plumage of a pure unspotted white, an 



Bell Birds. 



