360 ZOOLOGY. 



not been observed. They feed on fruits and green buds, and build their 

 nests in society, closely together on the same tree. The great-tailed coly 

 {CoUus macrourus) and the striped coly (C striaLus) are frequently seen. 



Fam. 4. MusoPHAGiD^E. A Small family, composed of about fifteen species 

 of birds, which inhabit the torrid zone. They have no representatives in 

 northern or temperate regions. 



Suh-fam. 1. MusophagincB, or Plantain Eateys. Bill broad and elevated 

 at base, frequently advancing upon the forehead, compressed towards the 

 tip, and mostly with the lateral margins serrated ; wings short and rounded ; 

 tail long ; tarsi and feet strong. Size larger ; plumage usually gay. 



All the birds of this group inhabit Africa, except one, which is found 

 in South America. Many of the species are remarkable for their beauty. 

 They are represented as being timid birds, inhabiting the densest parts 

 of the forest, and perching upon branches of trees longitudinally, like 

 the goatsuckers. They are birds of but limited powers of flight, and have 

 discordant and disagreeable notes. The violet plantain eater (Musophaga 

 violacea) and several species with green plumage appear to be common. 

 The South American bird is the crested hoazin of some travellers (Opis- 

 thocom.us cristatus). It is abundant on the banks of the Amazon, living 

 in small flocks, and eating fruits and buds, particularly of some species 

 of Aru7n. 



Fam. 5. BucEROTiD^, or Hornbills. A family of large birds, very 

 remarkable for the extraordinary size and shape of their bills. They are 

 strictly confined to Asia and Africa. 



About forty species are well established. 



Suh-fam. 1. Bucerotince, or HornhiUs. Bill generally very large and 

 lengthened, curved, with the upper mandible furnished with appendages 

 of very various shapes and sizes, sometimes flat and cap-shaped, sometimes 

 curved upwards, crescent-shaped ; wings moderate, rather short ; tail 

 usually long ; tarsi and feet short, strong. Size various, frequently large ; 

 colors generally white and black. 



These extraordinary birds are found in the continents and islands of 

 Africa and Asia. The use, if any, of the singular appendages to their bills, 

 has never been discovered, nor even conjectured with any plausibility. It 

 is stated that these birds feed principally on fruits, though occasionally 

 feeding upon dead quadrupeds* and sometimes reptiles. Their flight is 

 said to be heavy and noisy, though frequently at considerable height. The 

 nest is formed in the hollow of a tree. 



The rhinoceros hornbill, Buceros rhinoceros {pi. 103, fig. 2), is a common 

 Indian species, which has a very large bill and appendage. The red-billed 

 hornbill, B. erythrorhtjnchus {pi. 103, fig. 1), is a small species, with the 

 bill almost simple. 



One large bird of this sub-family, the Abyssinian hornbill (B. abyssinicus), 

 which inhabits various countries of eastern and southern Africa, habitually 

 frequents the ground, subsisting in a great measure on large beetles and 

 other insects. It builds, however, in trees, and is said to construct a very 

 large and curious nest, completely covered, having a lateral entrance. 

 564 



