RAVENS. 2S3 



The FEATHER-BEAKS (Cissa) are recognisable by their powerful bills, which are of medium 

 size, slightly arched, and compressed at the sides ; the wings are rounded, and the tail but slightly 

 graduated. 



THE SIRGANG. 



The Sirgang of Bengal, or Green Jackdaw, as it is called by the Anglo-Indians (Cissa Sinensis), 

 is a bird about fifteen and a half inches long, of which eight and a half belong to the tail ; the wing 

 measures six inches. The coat of this species is also remarkable for its beauty ; the predominating 

 colour is a delicate chrysophrase green, shading here and there into blue or blueish green, and 

 changing into yellow upon the head ; the black bridles are prolonged to the nape, where they unite, 

 thus forming a kind of ring. The quills and wing-covers are of a beautiful deep red, shaded with 

 brown (those of the old birds are greenish brown) ; the secondary quills are pale blueish green, with a 

 broad border of black ; the tail-feathers are white, those at the side are black, tipped with white. The 

 feathers upon the head are elongated into a crest. The Sirgang is met with throughout the south- 

 eastern districts of the Himalaya, with the exception of Assam, Silhet, and Tenasserim; in Sikim it is 

 often found living at an elevation of 12,000 feet. Jerdon tells us that it wanders from tree to tree in 

 search of delicate leaves or insects, and that it also eats grasshoppers. We learn from other sources 

 that it will fall upon and destroy small animals after the manner of the Shrikes, and is as expert as a 

 Falcon in pursuit of its prey. The voice of the Green Jackdaw is loud, and, compared with that of 

 some of its congeners, not unpleasing. When caged it soon becomes tame, and is attractive in its 

 habits. 



THE PLANTAIN EATERS. 



The Plantain Eaters (Amphiboly) constitute a family of very remarkably constructed species, 

 whose habitat is confined exclusively to Africa. Few members of the feathered tribe have given 

 rise to so much difference of opinion as has been occasioned by the desire to assign to these birds 

 their proper place. We have followed the classification adopted by Reichenbach, and shall introduce 

 them here as presenting many characteristics in common with the Jackdaw. To avoid confusion, we 

 have subdivided this very varied group into sub-families or sections. 



The TRUE PLANTAIN EATERS (Musophagm) range from the size of a Raven to that of a 

 Jackdaw. Their body is elongated, the neck short, the head of moderate size ; the upper mandible 

 is very decidedly curved, slightly over-lapping the lower portion, and either indented or furnished at 

 its sides with tooth-like appendages ; the wings are of moderate length, and rounded, their fourth and 

 fifth quills being longer than the rest ; the tail is rather long and rounded, the tarsi strong and 

 comparatively high. The foot is not constructed after the scansorial type — three of the toes being- 

 placed in front and one behind ; it is true that they can move the exterior toes slightly backwards, 

 but never so far as to pair with the one behind, except when under the hands of the bird-stuffer. The 

 plumage is soft, in some species almost downy, and occasionally very brilliant in its hues. 



The Plantain Eaters inhabit the dense and extensive forests of Central and Southern Africa, but 

 are never found in the treeless districts of that continent ; their habits are social, and they usually live 

 in small parties, seldom consisting of more than fifteen birds. Some species pass the day in flying 

 noisily about, whilst others spend their time in climbing with great activity amongst the trees, or in 

 searching for food upon the ground. The flight of these birds is light and easy, their short wings 

 enabling them to turn in the air with great facility; they are not very remarkable for intelligence, 



