KEEL-BREASTED BIRQS. ;RSI1 r 81 



Qf; -*A\Kl 



Other remarkable forms are 

 chus, the rifle-bird, and the king bird of paradise (Fig. 

 310), their gor- 

 geous colorings 

 defying ade- 

 quate descrip- 

 tion. 



The Plan- 

 tain-Eaters 

 ( Musophagi- 

 dce)* are pecul- 

 iar to the Afri- 

 can continent. 

 They are about 

 the size of the 

 raven, and are 

 exclusively 

 fru it-eaters. 

 The eggs are 

 white, and deposited in hollow trees. 



The Mouse- Birds (Colidce) f are so singular that they 

 deserve particular mention. They are found exclusively 

 in Africa, and are allies of the preceding. They resemble 



* M. Jules Verreaux is authority for the statement that the 

 coloring - matter of the red feathers of one of this family ( Tura- 

 cus albocristatus) is soluble in water. Their red feathers may be 

 washed white twice in the same day, the color invariably returning 

 when dry. 



f The wiriwa (Colius Sen?galensis) is invariably found upon the 

 thickly-vined trees, darting in and out cf the holes like a mouse. 

 They have been seen to roost in a most curious manner like bats, 

 clinging or hanging by their feet head downward, or in groups, cling- 

 ing to each other in clumps upon the branches ; the first bird grasping 

 the branch with one claw, supporting a second bird by entwining one 

 of its legs with its own, this bird in a like manner supporting a third, 

 and so on until they form a chain of living bird-links. They are fruit- 

 eaters. The nest is conical and placed in trees, and contains six or 

 seven eggs. 



FIG. 310. King bird of paradise. 



