32 DIVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS.—CLASS II. AVES. 
of their freedom, never frequenting inhabited or open tracts, and delighting 
in the silence of deserts. The interior of the thickest forests is their chosen 
abode for the entire year. They are sometimes seen on the summit of trees, 
but, in general, they prefer the centre, where they remain a portion of the 
day, without descending to the ground, or even to the lower branches. Here 
they lie in ambush for the insects which pass within reach, and seize them 
with address and dexterity. Though they thus conceal themselves in the 
thick foliage, it is not through distrust ; for when they are in an open space, 
they may be approached so nearly as to be struck with a stick. They are 
rarely heard to utter any cries, except during the season of reproduction, and 
then their voice is strong, sonorous, and melancholy. They have many 
cries, from the sound of one of which their name is derived. 
Famity Musopuacip®. PLANTAIN-EATERS AND COLIES. 
“The species of Co/l/us are peculiar to the continent of Africa, where 
they are usually observed in parties on the trees, among the branches of 
which they are seen quickly hopping, from one to another, in search of the 
fruits and freshly-formed buds, on which they subsist. Their flight consists 
of little more than flitting from one tree to another, and they have a peculiar 
habit of suspending themselves by one foot attached to the branch, with the 
head hanging downwards. They are rarely observed on the ground, as the 
formation of their foot does not admit of their walking with ease. They 
form their nests in society, closely packed together on the same tree or bush, 
and composed of flexible twigs lined with feathers, the female depositing from 
four to six eggs.” 
The Musophagine, or Plantain Eaters, are found in Africa. They are 
comprehended in several genera. Among them are the Touracos, which 
are very elegant birds. They feed upon soft fruits, principally the plan- 
tains. Their flight is of limited strength. 
The characteristics of the foregoing families in the Zygodactyli, as given 
by Lilljeborg, are as follows : — 
Versatile forwards ....ccsscecscccscccsscccssccsocscsctocesccsesccccsesccceccecsssececcssss seseeee 42. MUSOPTIAGID®, Sund. 
2 . 
x irected backwards ..ccccccccsucceccversecvcvessescrvereseesrrecacssescsaucsnccnsccers 43. TROGONIDA, Sund. 
= | notver- not ¢ f united as far as the outer end of the nd phalanx. 44. GALBULIDA, Sund. 
E | satile. without tensi- to the outer ( not twice as long as 
= | Second cere. ble. not united to end of the head. Nostrils in 
= OG saves Ante- + the outer first phal- their usual posi- 
Ros directed rior end of the anx. tion. Bristles 
3 for- toes... see. phal- generally present. 45. BuCCONIDA, Sund. 
OE: wards, anx, but ' very large, general- 
= Bill... ONLY eeeeee Bill ly twice, or more 
Qk Tongue than twice as long 
oF : as head. Nostrils 
S in the dorsal sur- 
fel face of bill, and 
N not surrounded 
by skin. Bristles 
absent. ++ .. 46. RIAMPHASTIDA, Bona 
near base. Bristles, none 47. CUCULIDA, Sund. 
* _lumbriciform and extensible ...+++.+++ « 48. Prom, Bonap. 
provided with a cere. The upper mandible hooked » 49. Psrvractbs, Bonap. 
