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cassell's book of birds. 



in search of locusts, grasshoppers, and beetles. Gourney tells us that they also devour snails, lizards, 

 frogs, rats, mice, and similar fare. Insects they obtain by hacking in the ground with their powerful 

 bill, and then, after tossing their victim in the air, catch it in their extended mandibles as it descends. 

 According to Gourney they attack snakes with great intrepidity, employing their wing as a shield 

 against the dangerous foe, and, should he prove formidable, calling in the assistance of their 

 companions, in order more speedily to dispatch him. ^Vhen excited, these strange birds present a 

 most extraordinary appearance, as they stalk along with throat inflated and wings trailing, the tail 

 meanwhile being constantly opened and closed, after the manner of a Turkey-cock. Their step, 

 which resembles that of a Raven, is unsteady, and their movements in the air, contrary to the usually 

 received idea, both light and graceful ; they, however, rarely fly to any distance, but, if alarmed, 

 merely rise and take refuge in a neighbouring tree. Should any suspicious sound attract the attention 

 of a party of these birds, they stand erect and listen attentively, with bill wide open, and, at the first 

 note uttered by one of their number, at once hurry to a place of safety, usually selecting such spots as 

 command a free view of the surrounding country. The cry of the Abbagamba is deep, harsh, and so 

 resonant that, according to Gourney, it can be heard at the distance of more than a mile. While 

 engaged in attracting the attention of his mate, the male often continues his call, almost without 

 intennission, for a quarter of an hour at a time, and is answered by her repeatedly in a somewhat 

 higher tone. The nest, as we ourselves ascertained, is made in large hollow trees, wdth the entrance 

 on the east side. The eggs, we leam from Heuglin, are small and round, with a rough white shell. 

 A nestling found by us at first exhibited no trace of the horny excrescence on its bill, and, on being 

 shut up in a yard with a variety of other live stock, soon became tame, and lived on excellent terms 

 with its companions. 



