RAVENS. 



237 



us that the Brazen Glossy Magpies congregate in large flocks, and spend their lives principally amongst 

 the trees, from which they descend from time to time to seek for food. When running upon the ground 

 the long tail is borne aloft, after the manner of the Jay. In disposition these birds are extremely shy, 

 and distrustful of man, though we have occasionally seen them near such of the native huts as are 

 built upon the borders of the forest. Heuglin mentions having seen them living both in pairs and 

 flocks, at an altitude of 4,000 feet above the level of the sea ; we learn from the same author that 

 they will occasionally eat carrion ; their voice is harsh and screaming, and so peculiar in its sound as 

 to be quite unmistakable. Their food consists of various kinds of insects, some of which they catch 

 with great dexterity when on the wing. 



THE satin BOWER bird {Philonorhynchus holosericus.) 



The ROCK GLOSSY STARLINGS (Moriones) constitute the last group of this family to which 

 we shall allude. These birds are recognisable by the inferior beauty of their plumage, which, however, 

 is not without a certain brilliancy and gloss upon the feathers ; in all the species the quills of the wings 

 are almost or entirely brown. 



THE WHITE-BEAKED ROCK GLOSSY STARLING. 

 The White-beaked Rock Glossy Starling {Philonorhynchus albirostris) is found in Abyssinia, 

 where it frequents the rocky parts of the country, or lives upon high bare trees or ancient ruins. Its 

 plumage is silky ; the short beak, which is rounded at its tip, is slightly notched, and partly covered 



