VIOLET PLANTAIN-EATER.— Musdrhaga violacca. 



The number of the eggs is from four to six. When fat and in good condition, the flesh 

 is said to be delicate and tender. In size it is about equal to a blackbird. 



The general colour of tliis species is a rather light chestnut-grey, brightening into 

 ruddy fawn on the forehead. The crest is composed of fine and slender feathers. The 

 nape of the neck takes a blue tint, and the back is grey, changing to slaty blue on the 

 upper tail-coverts. The chin and the abdomen are pearl-grey, and the chest is of the 

 same light ruddy fawn as the forehead. The beak is thick and sturdy, and is black at the 

 tips, and brown towards the base. 



Allied to the colies we find another curious and interesting group of birds called the 

 Plaijtain-eatees. 



These birds are natives of Africa, where they are not at all uncommon, and in the 

 forests which they frequent may be seen flitting among the branches of the lofty trees, 

 gliding among the boughs with great adroitness, and displaying their shining silken 

 plumage to the best advantage. They are wary birds, and seem to have tolerably accurate 

 ideas respecting the range of shot, for they mostly keep to the highest parts of the tree, 

 and can but seldom be approached sufliciently near to be killed by the gun. Their food 

 is almost wholly composed of fruits, and for feeding on such substances they are well 

 suited by their large and peculiarly formed beaks. 



They are all handsome birds, their dimensions averaging those of the European jay, and 

 their plumage glancing with violet, green, purple, and red of different shades. One of the 

 finest of the species is the Violet Plantain- cater, a bu'd which is found about Senegal and 



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