CORYTHAIX PORPIIYREOLOPIIA. 



and when folded reacli to the commencement of the second third of the tail ; 

 the fifth quill feather rather the longest, the fourth, third, second and first 

 successively shorter, the second being about the same length as the secondary 

 quill feathers, the first nine lines shorter; the tertiaries as long as the 

 primaries. Tail long and rounded at the point. Tarsi short, anteriorly scut- 

 ellated, and posteriorly coated with minute granular scales ; outer toe 

 semiversatile; claws strong, pointed, and much curved. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Inches. Lines. 



Length from the ponit of the bill to the 



tip of the tail 15 6 



Length of the bill from the gape 1 1 



of the wings wlicn folded ... 7 3 



of the tail S 



Length of the tarsus 



of the outer toe . 

 of the middle toe 

 of the inner toe . 

 of the hinder toe . 



In the female the crest is shorter and the colours are less brilliant, the 

 extent of the crimson upon the wings is also less and on few of the quills 

 does it reach beyond the basal half of the feathers. Both sexes are nearly 

 alike in size. 



This species, as far as I know, has only yet been found towards Port Natal. It inhabits the 

 scattered thickets which occur along the coast, and in the densest portions of these it seeks its 

 food, wliich consists of fruits, &c. It is a very shy bird, and unless the spot upon which it 

 perches after it has been disturbed be well marked, it will rarely be discovered by the hunter. 

 When conscious of danger, it remains perfectly motionless, and as its usual position is parallel 

 to the branch upon which it rests, little appears to facilitate the discovery. In moving from 

 one part of a branch to another, it generally runs along, it, either ascending or descending, 

 according to circumstances, and it often pursues a similar course while removing from one side of 

 a tree to the other. 



Besides the present species, Corythaix Persa also inhabits southern Africa. The latter is 

 still common within the limits of the colony, and there is scarcely a forest or wooded ravine 

 from which the quick-sighted collector may not obtain specimens. It sits and moves to and 

 fro upon trees in tlie manner of C. poiyhyreolopha. 



