538 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



nificent red tuft, edged with black, which spreads out round its head, 

 and resembles a splendid diadem. Other species are found in India 

 and Africa. 



The Tyrants {Tyrannies) owe their name to their courageous, 

 audacious, and quarrelsome character, which leads them to attack 

 birds more powerful than themselves, such as some of the smaller 

 birds of prey, and even the White-headed Eagle. It must be added, 

 too, that they more often than not succeed in forcing these robbers 



Fig. 248.— King Tody. 



to quit the neighbourhood in which the Tyrant's young brood is 

 reposing. They feed on insects, small reptiles, and sometimes on 

 very small fish. The King Bird of the United States (Tyrannus 

 intrepidus) is a well-known type. But the Forked-tailed Fly-catchers 

 {Melvulus tyrannus, Fig. 249), found in South America only, and 

 principally in Brazil and Guiana, are the most attractive. 



The Umbrella Bird (Cephalopterus omatus, Fig. 250) has some 

 resemblance to Crows, both in size and plumage. Their name, which 

 in Greek signifies " winged-head, ; ' is given them on account of a 

 wide crest which spreads out above their head like a parasol. Added 

 to this the front of the neck is bare, but the lower part is furnished, 

 with a thick tuft of feathers, which hang down over the breast. 



