SAVANNAH BLACKBIRD.— Cjo(op7(a(7ct Aui 



forgets to lie down for their mutual benefit, they hop about just in front of its nose as it 

 grazes, and give it no peace until it complies with their request. 



It is gregarious in its habits, associating in large flocks, and is a very fearless creature, 

 caring little for the report or the effects of a gun. Whether this insensibility to danger 

 be due to love of its comrades and to real courage, or only to that spurious bravery which 

 fears nothing because it knows nothing, is not certain ; but it is well knoM^n that if a 

 flock of Anis be fired at, and many killed by the discharge, the survivors will only rise 

 and fly to a short distance, and there settle as composedly as if no danger were at hand. 



The Anis are very noisy, as is often the case with gregarious birds, and the combined 

 loquacity of a large flock of Anis is almost deafening. They do not seem to use their 

 wings to any great extent, their flight being low and short. They are easily tamed, soon 

 become amusing inhabitants of the house, and can be taught to utter several words. 

 Fortunately for itself, the flesh of the Savannah Blackbird is thought to be very dis- 

 agreeable, so that it is not killed for the table. 



The nesting of this bird is rather peculiar. It haunts bushes, the skirts of woods, and 

 similar localities, and builds its nest on the branches of trees. The nest is extremely 

 large, and is said to be in common to several pairs of birds, which live amicably under 

 the same roof like the sociable weaver birds of Africa. 



In size the Savannah Blackbird rather exceeds the generality of its kind, equalling a 

 pigeon in dimensions, the long tail adding to the apparent length. Its colour is black, 

 glossed with green. 



The very remarkable bird known by the name of Channel-Bill inhabits part of 

 Australia and some of the Eastern Islands. Its large and curiously formed beak gives 

 it so singular an aspect, that on a hasty glance it might almost be taken for a species of 

 toucan or hornbill. 



It is most common in New South Wales, and is migratory in its habits, arriving in 

 October and departing in June. It is a gregarious bird, being seen in little flocks or 

 companies varying in number from three to eight, and sometimes living in pairs. The 

 voice of the Channel-Bill is by no means pleasing, and is exercised at the approach of 



