340 



Passeuks. BIRDS. Laniid.e. 



from the ueck, as seems to liave been hitherto supposed. 

 The skin of tlie neolt is very loose ; looser and larger, 



in fact, than any bird I know of. From the lower pii. 

 grows a cylindrical fleshy process, about as thick as a 



Fi-. 112. 



The Umbrella Bird (Cephalopterus ornatus). 



goose-quill, and an inch and a half long. From this 

 grow tlio feathers to the very point, thus proiliicing the 

 beautiful cylindrical plume quite detached from the 

 breast, and forming an ornament as unique and elegant 

 as tlie crest itself" 



The Umbrella-bird is found along the course of the 

 Brazilian rivers, principally upon the islands, at least in 

 the lower parts of the great streams. Its food is said 

 to consist of fruits ; the stones of stone-fruits being 

 ejected by the mouth. Its note is very loud, for which 

 reason the Indians of the region bordering the Rio 

 Negro call it the Piper-bird. 



THE AEAPUNGA [Chasmarhjnclius albus), the last 

 species of this fiimily to which we shall refer is called 

 the Bell-bird in Guiana, from the similarity of its notes to 

 those of a muffled-bell. It measures about twelve inches 

 in length, and is of a white colour; at the base of the 

 bill is a cylindrical, fleshy wattle, clothed with minute 

 white feathers, which is flaccid and pendent when the 

 bird is quiet, but becomes inflated when he is under the 

 influence of any emotion, and then attains a length of 

 two inches or more, and a diameter of about a third of 

 an inch at the base. This effect is said to be produced 

 by the impulsion of air, which is afterwards confined 

 in the cavity. The note of this bird and its allies 

 is usually heard oidy during the height of summer, for 

 which reason the name of Ak de Verano, or " Bird of 

 Summer," has been given to one of the species ; this 

 is contracted into Avcrano. Waterton states that the 

 note of the Bell-bird may be heard at a distance of 

 three miles. The food of this bird consists of fruits 

 and berries, occasionally varied with caterpillars and 



other soft insects. 

 solitary bird. 



It lives in the forests, and is a 



Family V.— LANIIU.E. 



The dentirostral section of the passerine birds is 

 concluded by the f;vmily Laniidre, the ordinary species 

 of which are commonly known as Shrikes. These 

 birds have a tolerably long and stout bill, more or less 

 compressed, hooked at the tip, and armed on each side 

 of the upper mandible, near the tip, witli a very distinct 

 tooth or notch. Tlie hinder part of the gape is fur- 

 nished with about five strong bristles on each side, 

 springing from the base of the upper mandible. The 

 wings are moderately developed, with the first primary 

 quill feather much shorter than the second. The feet 

 are stout, with a long hind-toe, and all the toes are 

 armed with long, curved, and acute claws. 



The majority of the species of this family are inhabit- 

 ants of the Eastern hemisphere, a few only being found 

 in the New World. Their food consists, like that of 

 the birds of the preceding families, of insects, worms, 

 and mollusoa ; but many of them are not content with 

 such small game, and kill and devour the smaller birds 

 and quadrupeds. In fact, the hooked tip of the bill, 

 the strong teeth with which the upper mandible is 

 armed, and the curved and acute claws, seem at once 

 to indicate that the character of these birds is more 

 predaceous than tliat of their nearest allies, and by 

 Linnseus, and several of the older naturalists, they were 

 placed in the same order with the Raptorcs. 



THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE {Liinius cullurio) is the 



