‘is alsa 
= 
parts of Europe. It is a bold and thievish bird. It 
feeds on insects, berries and nuts, but will also kill 
small and even moderate-sized birds, attacking their 
heads. 
The genus Pyrrhocorax has a rather long 
slender, curved beak, long wings, black plumage, 
and pale legs. 
Fig. e. The Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax al- 
Pinus) inhabits the highest mountains of Europe, and 
found in Siberia, Persia and Egypt. It is 
gregarious, and makes its nest in the crevices of 
rocks, often in inaccessible places. 
Fig. f. The Chough (/regrlus graculus) much 
resembles the last bird, but is more widely distri- 
buted in Europe; in Britain, it is frequently met with 
on rocky coasts, as well as inland. It is a shy, un- 
sociable bird, and not easily tamed. 
(Plate XJ.) 
Fig. a. The Roller-Bird (Coraczas garrula) has 
a strong sharp beak, some bristles at the corners of 
the mouth, short legs, and brightly-coloured plumage. 
It is as large as a Jackdaw, but is of a bluish green 
colour, with the back cinnamon, and the legs yellow. 
It feeds on insects, worms and small frogs. It is a 
migratory bird, and is only seen in Europe during 
the summer months, 
Family VI Paradiseide. (Birds of Paradise.) 
(Plate XL.) 
The Birds of Paradise, notwithstanding their 
magnificent plumage, are really closely allied to the 
Crows. The strong beak is straight or slightly curved 
at the tip, and covered with satiny feathers at the 
base. They are found in New Guinea and the 
Moluceas, and feed on insects, which they capture 
on the wing. 
Fig. b. The Great Bird of Paradise (Paradisea 
apoda) is not much bigger than a starling, but its 
long tail-feathers make it look much larger. There 
are “from forty to fifty delicately-fringed feathers on 
each side of the body, which meet on the back. and 
surround the tail like a sort of feathery flower. 
Family VII. Rupicolida. (Cocks of the Rock.) 
(Plate XL.) 
Fig. c. The Cock of the Rock (Rufzcola crocea) 
is the representative of a small genus of brightly- 
coloured birds which inhabit various districts in South 
America. It is about the size of a ring-dove. The 
male is bright orange-yellow, and has a large crown 
onsisting of a double row of feathers, which gives 
its head a superficial resemblance to that of a cock; 
the female is darker, and the hood is smaller. It 
forms its nest in the clefts of rocks, and feeds on 
seeds and insects, in search of which it scratches up 
the ground like a fowl. 
Family VII. Sturnide. 
(Plate XI.) 
The Grackles (Gracula) have a knife-like beak, 
naked behind, a fleshy tongue, and legs fitted for 
walking. 
Fig. f. The Hill Mina (Gracula Sie is an 
Indian bird, as large as a jackdaw. The plumage is 
blackish, with a violet lustre, the beak and legs are 
yellow, and a yellow lappet of skin surrounds the 
back of the head. It is a very favourite bird in 
India, as it is much more talkative than a_ parrot, 
and is readily taught to pronounce many words, 
(Starlings.) 




Fig. e. The Crow Blackbird (Qudscalus ver- 
sicolor) is smaller than the last species. The male 
is black, with a purple lustre, and the female uni- 
form brown. This bird is very destructive to the 
fields of maize in America. 
(Plate XII.) 
Fig. d. The Starling (Sturuus vulgaris) has a 
strong straight beak almost in a line with the top 
of the head. The legs are used 
for running on the ground, 
and not for hopping. It is a 
very lively bird, and easily 
learns to imitate various sounds 
and tunes both in the fields, 
and in captivity. It feeds on 
insects, seeds and berries. The 
Starling is abundant in many 
parts of Asia and Africa as well as in Europe. 
Family IX. Oriolida. (Orioles.) 
(Plate XI.) 
Fig. d. The Golden Oriole (Ovzolus galbula) 
is the type of this family. The 

Egg of Starling. 

male is shining gold-colour 
and black, and the female and 
young bird greenish. It is 
common in many parts. of 
Europe, and has a melodious Bia 
song, Egg of Golden onelel 
Family X. Alaudide. 
(Plate XII.) 
The Larks have a long awl-shaped spur on the 
hinder toe. They make their nests on the ground, 
run instead of hop, and feed on seeds and insects. 
Their song is very melodious. 
Fig. a. The Sky-lark (Alauda arvensis) begins 
to sing very early in the year, 
while most other songbirds are 
still silent or absent. Its colours 
are plain. It is greyish brown 
above, with paler and darker 
stripes, and yellowish white be- 
neath. 
and insects. 
(Larks.) 

Fgg of Skylark. 
It feeds on tender plants, as well as on seeds 
It is found in all parts of the Old World. 
Fig. b. The Woodlark (Alauda arborea) not- 
Ww ithstanding its name, is generally seen on the sround, 
and but rarely on trees. It prefers clearings in “woods, 
which are overgrown with heath, fern &c. It is 
smaller and less. abundant than the Skylark, and its 
beak is more slender. 
Fig. c. The Crested Lark (Alauda cristata) 
is distinguished by a pointed tuft of feathers on the 
head. The lower wing-coverts are of a fine rusty- 
red. These birds are fond of the neighhourhood 
of houses, but never perch on a high elevation. 
They build their nests on the ground, among 
vegetables, &c. 
Family XI. Turdide. 
(Plate XII.) 
The first genus, Czuclus, has a 
with nostrils which can be closed at pleasure, 
(Thrushes.) 
narrow beak, 
short 
wings and tail, and long and 
strong legs. iP 
Fig. e. The Dipper (Cinclus 
aquaticus) is an admirable swimmer 

and diver, and is almost always to 
be found in or near water, where , 5 
it feeds on water-insects and their gg of Dipper. 
larvee, and on small Crustacea, the fry of fish, &e, 
