366 



THE BLUE PLANTAIN-EATER. 



Another beautiful example of this group is the White-crested Touraco. 



This bii'd is remarkable not only for its handsome plumage, but for its peculiar customs. 

 It is even more suspicious and wary than the previous species, and has a peculiar talent 

 for concealing itself. Let a White-crested Touraco only take the alaim, and in a second of 

 time it wHl be so well hidden that even a practised eye can scarcely obtain a clue of its 

 whereabouts. 



It is generally to be found among the branches of trees, and if it should be alarmed, and 

 fly from one tree to another, it will vanish from sight so I'apidly that the only way to get a 

 shot at it is by sending some one up the tree to beat each bough in succession. While travers- 

 ing the branches, it runs along them, always keeping its body in the same line with the bough, 

 so that if it fears any danger, it has only to crawl closely to the upper part of the bough to be 

 quite imperceptible from below. Like the European creepers, or the squirrel, it often avails 

 itself of the thick trunlv of a tree to hide itself from a supposed enemy, slipping quietly round 

 the trunk, and always keeping on the opposite side. 



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VIOLET PLANTAIN-EATER.— JfosopAojo violacea. 



Some of these birds are extremely inquisitive, and, in spite of their native caution, will 

 follow a traveller for miles ; keeping just out of gunshot, and screaming loudly the whUe. The 

 general color of this species is olive-green above, except on the crest, which is also green, but 

 of a lighter hue, and is edged Avith a delicate line of white. The wings take a bluish-purple 

 tint, especially upon the primary quill-feathers, and there is a horizontal streak of pure white 

 beneath each eye. It is about as large as a common jackdaw. 



The Blue Plantain-eater, whose color may be known by its popular title, is generally 

 to be found on the lofty trees that skirt the edges of streams, either perched demurely on the 

 boughs, or flitting rapidly through them in search of the fniits and insects on which it feeds. 



The wings of this species are but weak, and are unable to endure a lengthened flight. It 

 is rather remarkable that this species should have two distinct modes of flight : the one — which 

 is its most usual method — is by a succession of rapid and apparently laborious flappings ; while 

 the otherisagnicefnl soar, in which the bird floats softly through the air, with wings extended 

 and motionless. It never employs its wings if it can avoid doing so, and even in making a short 



