1 84 cassell's book of birds. 



sooner does one bird commence than all the rest of a party follow suit, and combine their efforts to 

 produce such a concert as must be heard to be appreciated. The Blacksmith also frequently perches 

 upon the very topmost bough of one of the giant trees of the forest, at such a height as to be out 

 of the sportsman's reach, who is thus often compelled to content himself with admiring its snowy 

 plumage, as the bird stands in bold relief against a background of deep blue sky, and ever and anon 

 sounds its metallic note, as though to call attention to its conspicuous position. Waterton speaks 

 with equal enthusiasm of the True Bell Bird, whose voice, he tells us, is heard throughout the entire 

 day, but most frequently at early morning or after sunset. Each tone is followed by a considerable 

 pause, lasting, after the first three notes, for the space of six or eight minutes, when the strange 

 performance recommences, with not more than one minute's interval between the sweet, bell-like 

 sounds, which are often audible at a distance of three miles. As long as the bird is in repose, the 

 fleshy lappets we have described hang downwards, but they are raised and turned in all directions 

 at the instant that the cry is uttered ; and, on its cessation, drop at once to their former position. 

 The females generally perch on the lowest branches, but are not easily discovered, owing to their 

 silence, and the greenish hue of their feathers, which enables them to hide securely amid the foliage. 

 Fruits and berries constitute the principal food of this group, and, according to Schomburghk, they 

 also occasionally eat insects. The Bell Birds make their appearance in Demerara and Berbice about 

 May or June, from whence they spread over the face of the country, rarely occupying wooded heights 

 at more than from 1,200 to 1,500 feet above the sea, and never visiting the immediate neighbourhood 

 of the coast. Strange to say, notwithstanding the interest excited in these strange and beautiful 

 occupants of the South American forests, we are still entirely without any particulars as to their 

 breeding, nidification, or powers of enduring life in a cage. 



The THRUSHES {Turdida) constitute a group that comprises some of the larger birds of the 

 order. Their body is powerful, their neck short, and head large ; the bill is straight, compressed at 

 its sides, and slightly incised at the tip of the upper mandible, which curves downwards over the 

 lower portion of the beak. The tarsi are high, and covered with large plates ; the toes moderate, 

 armed with very decidedly hooked claws ; the wing is of medium length, and contains ten primary 

 quills, of which the third is the longest ; the formation of the tail varies considerably ; in some cases 

 it is short and rounded, in others long and graduated ; but, generally, it is of moderate size, and more 

 or less straight at its extremity ; the plumage is thick, usually of some dusky hue, but occasionally 

 brightly coloured 



The GROUND SINGERS (Humicolce), as the most gifted of the above family have been 

 named, includ ; some of the smaller species of Thrushes, and are recognisable by their comparatively 

 slender bodies short wings, moderate-sized tail, high tarsi, pointed beaks, glossy dark plumage, and 

 expressive eyes. The Ground Singers are entirely confined within the limits of the eastern 

 hemisphere, and make their appearance in Europe with the commencement of spring, leaving again 

 for warmer latitudes at the approach of autumn. They usually prefer woodland regions, more 

 especially such as are well watered, as they there find an abundance of the larvse, worms, and 

 berries, upon which they mainly subsist. Unlike the groups above described, they glean their food 

 principally from the ground, as they hop over the surface of the soil with the utmost agility, and 

 rarely seek their insect fare upon the trees, from which, however, they pluck ripe berries with much 

 adroitness. From every point of view we must recognise in these birds a very high degree of 

 intelligence, all the senses being well developed, and their sight and hearing particularly good. When 

 upon the wing, their motions are rapid and easy, and as regards their wondrous vocal gifts we need 



