CHATTERERS. 



53* 



peculiar vocal powers. Bates says : " The Indian name of this strange creature is 

 Uird mimbew, or fife-bird, in allusion to the tone of its voice. We had the good 

 luck, after remaining quiet a short time, to hear its performance. It drew itself 

 up on its perch, spread widely the umbrella-formed crest, dilated and waved its 

 glossy breast-lappet, and then, in giving vent to its loud piping note, bowed its 

 head slowly forwards. The nest of the umbrella-bird is built of small branches, 

 placed in the top of a tall tree." The eggs are white and two in number. In flight 



OMBBEIXA-BIRD {\ Hat. size) 



the helmet or crest is depressed, and the lappet is placed close to the body. The 

 plumage of the male is deep black throughout, the lappet being glossed with steel- 

 blue. The female has only the rudiments of the crest and lappet, and is altogether 

 duller-coloured than the male. 



Long known to travellers, in consequence of their remarkable 

 vocal powers, so closely resembling the ringing of a bell as to have 

 conferred upon them their popular appellation, three of the four known species 

 of the bell-birds (Chasmorynchus) have tin- plumage of a pure unspotted white, an 



Bell Birds. 



