292 CLASS AVES. 



less during the greatest heat of the day. On the approach 

 of the rainy season they quit Abyssinia, and migrate to the 

 southern parts of Africa. Mr. Bruce observes, that these 

 birds fly in great flocks, and to a prodigious height. Their 

 flesh is an exquisite meat, though the Abyssinians do not eat 

 it, but hold it in abomination. 



Levaillant informs us, that the wallia constructs its nest 

 in the holes of trees, frequents woods habitually, and lives in 

 an isolated state, in couples, male and female, and that the 

 latter lays four eggs, of a fawn-coloured white, or Isabella. 



We may conclude, from a comparison of the descriptions of 

 travellers, that this bird makes its nest during the rainy 

 season, in Southern Africa, where it then lives isolated and 

 occupied with the care of its ofi'spring ; that it migrates 

 northward when the young are in a state to fly ; and that in 

 its new abode the species continues to live in numerous bands. 

 It seems probable that it also exists in Madagascar. Fruits 

 constitute the aliment of this species, as they do of all others 

 of the same family. 



