THE UMBRELLA BIRD. 



307 



Tlie general color of the Bald-headed Fruit Crow is dark brown, something like the dingy 

 brown of a capuchins cloak, thus giving to the bird the popular title of Capuchin. This color 

 is, however, relieved by the darker hue of the quill-feathers of the wings and tail, which are 

 deep black. 



The group of the Fruit Crows may lay claim to the credit of reckoning among their 

 number one of the most singular of the feathered tribe. The Umbrella Bikd, so well depicted 

 in the accompanying illustration, is a truly remarkable creature, and from the extraordinary 

 mode in which its plumage is arranged, never fails of attracting the attention of the most 

 casual spectator. 



The bird is a native of the islands of the South American rivers — being seldom if ever seen 

 on the main land — from whence it is not unfrequently brought by collectors, as there is always 

 a ready sale for its skin, either to serve as an ornament in glass cases, or a specimen for a 

 museum. In dimensions the Umbrella Bird equals the common Carrion Crow, and but for the 



1 ; J 



UMBRELLA BIRD.- CepKdbpterus omatuts. 



curious plume which adorns its head, and the tuft which hangs from its breast, might be mis- 

 taken at a distance for that bird. The general color of this species is rich, shining black, 

 glazed with varying tints of blue and purple, like the feathers of the magpie's tail. 



Very little is known of the habits of the bird : but a very good description of its appear- 

 ance when living has been given by Mr. Wallace in the following words: "Its crest is, 

 perhaps, the most fully developed and beautiful of any bird known. It is composed of long, 

 slender feathers, rising from a contractile skin on the top of the head. The shafts are white, 

 and the plume glossy blue, hair-like, and curved outward at the tip. When the crest is laid 

 back, the shafts form a compact white mass, sloping up from the top of the head, and sur- 

 mounted by the dense hairy plumes. Even in this position it is not an inelegant crest, but it 

 is when it is fully spread that its peculiar character is developed. The shafts then radiate on 

 all sides from the top of the head, reaching in front beyond and below the tip of the beak, 

 which is completely hidden from view. The top then forms a perfect, slightly elongated 

 dome, of a beautiful shining blue color, having a poinl of divergence rather behind the centre. 

 like that in the human head. The length of this dome from front to back is about live inches, 

 the breadth four to four and a half inches." 



