THE GOLDEN-WINGED MANAKIN. 263 



of which is the Pachycephalia®, or Thick-heads, so called from the heavy make and great 

 comparative size of their heads. 



Of this group we find an excellent example in the well-known Diamond Bird of 

 Australia. 



This pretty little creature inhabits Van Diemen's Land and the whole of the southern 

 portions of Australia, and is generally found upon trees and bushes, skipping about the 

 branches with the greatest velocity, and peering into every crevice after the insects on which 

 it feeds. It possesses great activity of limb and strength of claw, and is able to traverse the 

 boughs while hanging suspended beneath them by its feet. It is not restricted to any particular 

 tree, but may be seen on the hard scrubby bushes as often as upon the lofty trees. The voice 

 of the Diamond Bird is rather harsh and piping, and consists of two notes constantly repeated, 

 from which circumstance the natives call it by the name of " We-deep, we-deep." 



The most remarkable peculiarity in this bird is its nest and the position which it chooses 

 for its home. Instead of placing its nest among the branches, or even in the hollow of one of 

 the innumerable decaying trees that abound in its native country, the Diamond Bird makes a 

 deep burrow in the face of some bank, usually on the margin of a stream, and builds its nest 

 at the extremity of the hole. The tunnel slopes slightly upwards, and is about two or three 

 feet in length, the nest being placed in a chamber at its extremity. Contrary to the usual 

 custom of burrowing birds, the Diamond Bird builds a most neat and elaborately constructed 

 nest in its burrow, the marvel being increased by the evident difficulty of working in the dark. 

 The structure is almost globular in form, and is entered by means of a hole left in the side. 

 The materials of which it is composed are principally strips of the inner gum-tree bark, and it 

 is lined with finer portions of the same substance. 



The Diamond Bird is a pretty little creature, and decorated witli most vivacious coloring. 

 The crown of the head, the wings and the tail are black, speckled with pure white, each 

 feather having a snowy white spot at its extremity. A white streak begins at the nostrils, 

 crosses the face, and passes over each eye. The back is curiously diversified with several har- 

 monizing tints, each feather being gray at its base, and having at its extremity a triangular 

 spot of fawn edged with black. The upper tail-coverts are ruddy brown, becoming redder 

 towards the tail ; the chin, throat, and chest are bright golden-orange, and the abdomen is 

 tawny. The female has a browner head, and no golden-orange streak on the breast. The bird 

 is about as large as a wren. 



THE MANAKINS. 



The Manakins, or Piprinse, form a moderately large group of birds, many of which are of 

 very beautiful and curious plumage. With very few exceptions they are inhabitants of 

 America, and are found only in the hottest portions of the tropical regions of that vast 

 country. They feed indiscriminately on animal and vegetable substances, are very active in 

 their movements, and frequent the hottest and moistest forests, where vegetation grows most 

 luxuriantly, as in such situations they find the greatest abundance of food. 



One very beautiful species is the Golden-winced Manakin of America. This bird is 

 always to be found on the skirts of forests, where it chooses the hot and marshy grounds that 

 are often formed in such localities, and there plies its busy search for food, unharmed by the 

 noxious and miasmatic exhalations of the decaying vegetation that are continually steaming 

 upwards, whilst the burning rays of the tropical sun convert the moisture into vapor, and cover 

 the earth with a heavy, warm and poisonous mist. The bird is remarkably vivacious in its 

 movements, and may often be seen on the ground, peering and feeding in every direction, or 

 perched in large fiocks on the top of some lofty tree. 



The Golden-winged Manakin is a very pretty bird, its plumage being brightly mottled 

 with black, yellow, and orange, which tints are arranged in a manner both bold and soft. The 

 wings are remarkable for the bright yellow feathers from which the bird derives its popular 



