7 6 



cassell's book of birds. 



mid-air. The Indian Shell-eater breeds upon high trees about June or Jul)', and associates in large 

 flocks during the whole period of incubation. The eggs are four in number, and are of a dirty white. 

 The young are defended by their parents with great courage and fierceness. 



The HERONS (Ardcce) are large, ungainly birds, with a weak body, much compressed at its 

 sides, a long thin neck, and small, narrow, flat head. The strong straight beak is as long as, or 



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/ 



■ /// '} 



\x Vl\ l\ \ ■'■■■■- I "5^ 



THE AFRICAN CLAPPER-BILL (Anastomus lamelligerus). ONE-FIFTH NATURAL SIZE. 



longer, than the head, compressed at the sides and culmen ; the sharp margins are turned inwards, the 

 tip is incised, and in its entire surface, except in the region of the nostrils, covered with a hard, 

 smooth, horny coat. The legs and toes are moderately long, the claw of the centre toe being 

 curiously denticulated on its lower side. The long, broad, blunt wing has its second, third, and 

 fourth quills of almost equal length ; the short rounded tail is composed of from ten to twelve 

 feathers. The thick, soft, lax plumage is often much prolonged on the crown of the head and upper 

 breast ; and though strikingly and very variously coloured in the different species, is never remarkably 

 gay. The Persians, however, catch these birds, and after depriving them of the long feathers, which 

 are highly prized, suffer them to depart. These feathers, together with tufts of diamonds and other 



