

NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Mexican crown bird. 



blmice to an earl's coronet, according to some ; 

 others say it is more like the tuft on the head of 

 a Virginian nightingale. A little above the bill 

 upon the forepart of the head, is a small red 

 comb, and two red marks, resembling ears, on 

 each side of the head ; the bill is short and thick, 

 bending downward, of a yellow colour. 



This seems to be the bird described by Mr. 

 Tavernier in his travels into India ; great num- 

 bers of which are found in the territories of Cam- 

 baya, Broudra, &c. which in the day-time walk 

 about the fields, but in the night roost upon the 

 trees. The flesh of the young ones, he says, is 

 white and well tasted. In those parts where the 

 Mahometans govern, they may be caught without 

 danger; but in those territories where idolatrous 

 rajahs are masters, it is very dangerous to kill 

 them, or any other bird or animal ; for the ba- 

 nians count it sacrilege, and will severely punish 

 any they can seize. They whipped a Persian 

 merchant to death, and took all his money, to the 

 value of three hundred thousand rupees, for 

 shooting a peacock. 



The Mexican crown bird has a thick short bill, 

 of a sort of flesh colour, or tawny, with a large 

 crest of green feathers upon the head, which it 

 raises and falls at pleasure. The head, neck, 

 back, breast, and part of the belly and thighs, 

 are of a brownish dusky colour. The four first 

 quill-feathers of the wings are a fine scarlet, the 



