360 ZOOLOGY. 
not been observed. They feed on fruits and green buds, and build their 
nests in society, closely together on the same tree. The great-tailed coly 
(Colius macrourus) and the striped coly (C. striatus) are frequently seen. 
Fam. 4. Musorsacipa. A small family, composed of about fifteen species 
of birds, which inhabit the torrid zone. They have no representatives in 
northern or temperate regions. 
Sub-fam. 1. Musophagine, or Plantain Eaters. Bill broad and elevated 
at base, frequently advancing upon the forehead, compressed towards the 
tip, and mostly with the lateral margins serrated ; wings short and rounded ; 
tail long; tarsi and feet strong. Size larger ; plumage usually gay. 
All the birds of this group inhabit Africa, except one, which is found 
in South America. Many of the species are remarkable for their beauty. 
They are represented as being timid birds, inhabiting the densest parts 
of the forest, and perching upon branches of trees longitudinally, like 
the goatsuckers. They are birds of but limited powers of flight, and have 
discordant and disagreeable notes. The violet plantain eater (Musophaga 
violacea) and several species with green plumage appear to be common. 
The South American bird is the crested hoazin of some travellers (Opis- 
thocomus cristatus). It is abundant on the banks of the Amazon, living 
in small flocks, and eating fruits and buds, particularly of some species 
of Arum. 
Fam. 5. Buczrotinz, or Horwneitis. A family of large birds, very 
remarkable for the extraordinary size and shape of their bills. They are 
strictly confined to Asia and Africa. 
About forty species are well established. 
Sub-fam. 1. Bucerotine, or Hornbills. Bill generally very large and 
iengthened, curved, with the upper mandible furnished with appendages 
of very various shapes and sizes, sometimes flat and cap-shaped, sometimes 
curved upwards, crescent-shaped ; wings moderate, rather short ; tail 
usually long ; tarsi and feet short, strong. Size various, frequently large ; 
colors generally white and black. 
These extraordinary birds are found in the continents and islands of 
Africa and Asia. The use, if any, of the singular appendages to their bills, 
has never been discovered, nor even conjectured with any plausibility. It 
is stated that these birds feed principally on fruits, though occasionally 
feeding upon dead quadrupeds and sometimes reptiles. Their flight is 
said to be heavy and noisy, though frequently at considerable height. The 
nest is formed in the hollow of a tree. 
The rhinoceros hornbill, Buceros rhinoceros (pl. 108, fig. 2), is a common 
Indian species, which has a very large bill and appendage. The red-billed 
hornbill, B. erythrorhynchus (pl. 108, fig. 1), is a small species, with the 
bill almost simple. 
One large bird of this sub-family, the Abyssinian hornbill (B. abyssinicus), 
which inhabits various countries of eastern and southern Africa, habitually 
frequents the ground, subsisting in a great measure on large beetles and 
other insects. It builds, however, in trees, and is said to construct a very 
large and curious nest, completely covered, having a lateral entrance. 
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