98 cassell's book of birds. 



The Tschakuru frequents tracts covered with a slight growth of trees or bushes ; on these it 

 may be seen perching for hours together, perfectly undisturbed by the close observation of the 

 traveller, and is frequently only roused from its state of apparent lethargy by violently shaking 

 the surrounding branches. Insects constitute its means of subsistence, and these are obtained either 

 whilst perching or at a few paces from its favourite seat. Azara informs us that the name of 

 Tschakuru is supposed by the natives to represent its cry ; but neither the Prince von Wied nor 

 Burmeister ever heard it utter a sound. According to the latter, the numerous white eggs that form 

 a brood are deposited in the hole of a tree. 



The TRAPPISTS {Monastd) are distinguishable from the above groups by their small, slightly- 

 curved beak, with thin, delicate tip, slender legs, long, pointed wings, and moderate-sized tail, formed 

 of narrow feathers. The plumage is soft, and somewhat woolly in texture; the eye is suiTounded by 

 a bare circle. 



THE DUSKY TKAPPIST, OR BEARDED CUCKOO. 



The Dusky Trappist, or Bearded Cuckoo {Monasta fusca), is dark brown on the head and 

 back, and yellowish grey on the under side ; the lower throat is embellished by a long, pure white 

 crescent, a broad, black band beneath ; the quills and tail-feathers are dark greyish brown, the former 

 edged with rust-red on the outer web. The eye is reddish, the beak and foot black. The young 

 are of a paler hue, and the crescent on the breast is shaded with yellow. The length of the body is 

 seven inches and two-thirds, and its breadth twelve inches ; the wing measures three inches and 

 one-third, and the tail three inches and one-sixth. 



This bird, we learn from the Prince von Wied, is one of the commonest inhabitants of the 

 Brazilian forests. In the neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro it is also very frequently seen quietly 

 perching beneath a shady bush close to dwelling-houses, or hopping over the ground in pursuit 

 of insects. The "Joao Doido," or Stupid Jack, as this bird is called by the natives, presents a 

 most striking appearance as he sits perfectly motionless, with his white head thrown into strong 

 relief by the dark foliage, his wide-open eyes alone indicating that he is not in a profound sleep. 

 We are without particulars respecting the incubation of this species. Insects of various kinds 

 compose its food ; we found the remains of a butterfly in the stomach of a specimen we examined. 



The DREAMERS {Chdidopterd) are distinguished from the Bearded Cuckoos by their short 

 tail and compact plumage. 



THE DARK DREAMER. 



The Dark D:;T-.AiiER ( Cndidoptei-a fmebrosd) is of a slaty-black, shaded with blue. The belly 

 is reddish yellow, and the n-np whi.te ; the eye is dark brown, the beak black, and the foot grey. 

 The length of this bird is eigiit. and the breadth fourteen inches ; the wing measures four inches and 

 a half, and the tail two inche;. 



The Prince von Wie'l met with this bird in the bushes about Lagoa Santa, and describes it 

 as quiet and solitary in its habits, passing the greatest part of the day in perching almost motionless 

 upon the topmost twigs, and scarcely rousing from its state of drowsy apathy even when approached 

 within a few paces of its resting-place. Occasionally it descends to the ground, but usually obtains 

 its food by capturing such of the winged inhabitants of the air as venture close to its perch, seizing 

 them after the manner of a Flycatcher, and at once returning to its perch. This species is called the 

 " Wood Swallow" by the Brazilians, on account of its somewhat resembling a Swallow both in form 

 and colour, and this resemblance is also noticeable in its peculiar gait. As regards its nidification. 



