MASSENA'S TROGON. 125 



tropical forests. In its habits, it is not at all unlike the common fly-catcher of England, delight- 

 ing to sit motionless upon a branch that overlooks one of the open spaces that are found in all 

 forests, or that commands a view of a path made by man or beast. On its perch it remains as 

 still as if carved in wood, and sits apparently without thought or sensation until a tempting 

 insect flies within easy reach. It then launches itself upon its prey, catches the insect in its 

 bill, and returning to its perch, settles down again into its foi-mer state of languid tranquillity. 

 The Motmot is not formed for long or active flight, as its wings are short and rounded, and 

 the plumage, especially about the head, very loosely set. 



Some writers say that the Motmots do not confine themselves to such small prey as 

 insects, but that they steal young birds out of their nests, and are also in the habit of eat- 



eggs. 



All the Motmots are about the size of the common magpie, and are remarkably handsome 

 birds, their plumage being tinted with green, blue, scarlet, and other brilliant hues. The 

 Brazilian Motmot is bright green on the upper parts of the body, excepting a spot of velvety- 

 black upon the head, edged with green beliind. The primary feathers are blue, and the under 

 portions are green " shot" with crimson, and a black spot is found on the breast. 



The Bltje-capped-Motmot {Momotus coeruleiceps). This is the only species found in 

 North America. Its habits are much the same as those of the South American species. It 

 inhabits Central America. 



TR O G O N S. 



For our systematic knowledge of the mag-nificent tribe of the Teogons we are almost 

 whoUy indebted to Mr. Gould, who by the most persevering labor and the most careful inves- 

 tigations has reduced to order this most perplexing group of birds, and brought into one 

 volume a mass of infoiTuation that is rarely found in similar compass. There are few groups 

 of birds which are more attractive to the eye than tlie Trogons, with all their glowing hues of 

 carmine, orange, green, and gold ; and few there are which presented greater difiiculties to the 

 ornithologist until their various characteristics were thoroughly sifted and comiaared together. 

 The two sexes are so difl'erent from each other, both in the color and shape of the feathers, 

 that they would hardly be recognizable as belonging to a single species, and even the young 

 bird is very difl'erently colored from his older relatives. 



These beautiful birds are found in the Old and the New Worlds, those which inhabit the 

 latter locality being easily distinguishable by their deeply barred tails. Those of the Old World 

 are generally found in Ceylon, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo, while only a single species, the 

 Narina Trogon, is as yet known to inhabit Africa. The Trogons are mostly insect-eaters, 

 taking their prey easily by means of their widely-opening mouths, and making no use of their 

 slender feet and claws in the capture of their active enemy. Although gifted vAth. such brill- 

 iant coloring, they are but seldom seen, for they prefer the deep forest to the more open 

 grounds, and remain seated among the dense foliage of some chosen tree as long as the sun 

 remains above the horizon. 



The Trogons are mostly silent birds, the only cry used being that of the male during the 

 season of pairing. It is not a very agreeable sound, being of a sombre and melancholy cast, 

 and thought to resemble the word "couroucourou," a continuation of syllables which has 

 therefore been applied to the entire tribe. Tlie Trogons have been separated into five genera, 

 each of which will find an example in the following pages. 



The splendid bird which has been called Massena's Trogon, in complimentary allusion 

 to the celebrated prince of that name, is an inhabitant of Central America, specimens from 



