344 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



and a back toe which is altogether rudimentary; indeed, in some 

 species entirely wanting. They are mostly vermivorous ; some, how- 

 ever, are granivorous or herbivorous. In this order a number of 

 rather dissimilar Birds have been reckoned, some of which belong 

 decidedly to the Wader tribe, whilst others, by their general habits, 

 are more allied to the Gallmacea. Among them are the Golden- 

 breasted Trumpeter, the Cariama, the Oyster-catcher, the Plovers, 

 the Lapwing, the Coursers, the Dotterel, and the Bustard. 



The Golden-breasted Trumpeter (Psophia crepitans) is a noble bird, 



Fig. 136.— Sun Bittern. 



covered with short glossy feathers on the head and neck, which reflect 

 numerous golden tints, grey on the back, and black on the wings j its 

 body is about the size of an ordinary domestic fowl, but stands much 

 higher on its limbs. It is very easily domesticated, and evinces as 

 great attachment to its favourites as it does antipathy to dogs and 

 cats. It accompanies sheep to their feeding-grounds, and is even 

 said to drive them and watch over their safety. Being able to run 

 with great velocity, it appears in cases of danger to trust more to its 

 legs than wings. It is a native of South America. 



The Cariama {Cariama cristata, Fig. 137) has many of the same 

 habits as the previous bird. In size it is a little larger, and is pos- 

 sessed of a crest which remains always erect. The wings are a 



