43 



are by far more varied,* During four months 

 id the year, from May to August,, ii laotOte, 

 It washes itself ar«^iiiady fmc^ 4mlf, md after 

 having performed its ablutions, throws its deli- 

 cate feathers up nearly over the liead, the quills 

 of which feathers have a peculiar structure, so 

 as to enable the bird td> dffect this objeot. Its food, 

 dni^g ma&wmsat, kbdled rii^i mixed ti|iwkh 

 soft egg, together %vith plantains, liad Kving in- 

 sects of the grasshopper tribe ; these insects when 

 thrown to him, the bird contrives to catch in its 

 beak witli great e^eiSl^l it wSI ^ insects 

 in a Hvltig state, but will njot tiEmll tliem when 

 dead. 



I ohserved the bird, previously to eatino- a 

 grasshopper, given him in an entire or uomuti- 

 lated state, place thelbsecssfe npm tlte perdli, keep it 

 &mtif fli^ "(dt^ titte ctews, and, diY^slasif it of Ibe 

 legs, wings, &e., d@tOltl^ it, with tlu; head always 

 phieed first. The servant who attends upon him 

 to clean the cage, give him food, ika., strips off the 

 vrm$Af to., of tb^ in^^s yfhm ftlive, 

 gitdng them to iSie Mrd a& £i9t m can devour 

 th&m. It rarely alights upon the ground, and 



• It lias been stated, that Uuring flight they cry like 

 starlings. 



