124 



CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



to the lower branches of the trees, from which they ascend in a succession of leaps from branch to 

 branch, until they nearly reach the top, whence they fly oft' to a neighbouring tree. The most western 

 part of New South Wales in whicli I have heard of their existence is Illawarra, where they are rare 

 and from whence to Aroreton Bay they gradually increase in numbers. The nest, which is placed in 

 •; . a tuft of 



grass, is of 

 a large size, 

 composed 

 of dried 

 grasses, 

 and is of 

 a domed 

 form, with 

 two small 

 openings, 

 through one ' 

 of which the 

 head of the 

 female pro- 

 trudes while 

 sitting, and 

 her tail 

 through the 

 other. At 

 Port Essing- 

 ton the nest 

 is s ome- 

 times placed among the lower leaves of the pandanus, but 

 this occurrence seems to be rare, a large tuft of long grass 

 being most frequently selected, as affording better shelter. 

 The eggs are from three to five in number, of a dirty white 

 hue, and nearly round ; in some instances they are stained 

 •with bro^^Tl, and have a rough surface, somewhat like the 

 eggs of the Cormorant." 



The BARBETS {Capitones) possess a strong, conical 

 beak, of moderate size, and much compressed at its tip ; 

 short and powerful feet, with the toes placed in pairs; 

 small or medium-sized wings, rounded at their extremity, 

 and a comparatively long tail. The plumage, which is most 

 resplendent, is replaced by bristles in the region of the beak. The members of this family are spread 

 over Asia and Africa, and are brisk and lively birds, associating freely with their congeners, and 

 busily seeking the berries, fruits, and insects, upon which they subsist, from bush to bush and tree to 

 tree, rarely or never descending to the ground. Their flight is rapid, but not sustained to any great 

 distance, owing to the weight of their bodies ; almost all have loud, resonant voices, while some 

 species utter something resembling a regular song. The nests of the Barbets are placed in hollow 





THE PHEASANT COUCAL 

 (Polophilus phasianus). 



