EQUINOCTIAL AFRICA.— BIRDS. Q7 
representatives in tropical America ; but those with a 
short bill (Collaris Cuv.) have likewise been found in 
New Holland. In the elegant family of bee-eaters 
(Merops), Western Africa is peculiarly rich ; more than 
two thirds of the species already known having come 
from thence. But the glory of Western Africa is the 
magnificent plantain-eater (Musophaga violacea), nearly 
the size of a crow, with wings of the most lovely 
crimson, glossed with purple. This rare bird seems 
only to have been met with in the*interior of Guinea. 
Three or four others, belonging to the same natural 
family, are exclusive natives of these regions. 
(136.) The gallinaceous order of birds, so nume- 
rous towards the equinoctial line in India, and even in 
America, are found but sparingly on the African con- 
tinent. The ostrich is well known to be the largest ; 
and probably should be ranked with the giraffe, as more 
characteristic of Central Africa, as it lives only in the 
deserts, or on sandy plains. It has not been detected on 
the western coast, where the largest birds of this order 
are the Guinea fowls: the most common of these spe- 
cies, long domesticated in Europe, is well known: 
these birds, in a state of nature, associate in flocks of 
two or three hundred, and chiefly frequent the marshes 
and morasses which stretch along the banks of the 
western rivers. Most of the partridges are small; and 
many belong more correctly to the genus Pterocles, or 
the sand-grouse. 
(137.) The only birds common to the whole extent 
of the African continent, and whose migrations are 
even extended to the middle of Europe, are the Eu- 
ropean bee-eater, the golden oriole, the common roller, 
and the European roller. To enumerate the peculiar 
species, however, which may characterise certain coun- 
tries, would far exceed cur limits. It is sufficient that 
any particular geographic range is found to contain 
peculiar genera or forms of animals, by which it 
may be recognised, and by which it is stamped 
with a tangible character. The goatsuckers are well 
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