10 



UNICORN HORNBILL. 



eyes: the eyelid is furnished with long lashes arched 

 behind : the eye is red-brown, and appears brighter 

 or more animated when the bird is irritated: the 

 head, which appears small in proportion to the 

 enormous bill it supports, bears a considerable re- 

 semblance to that of a Jay: the whole form of the 

 bird seeming to be composed as it were of the 

 feathers and movements of the Jay, Raven, and 

 Magpie. These resemblances have struck most 

 observers, and have obtained it the name of the 

 Indian Raven, Horned Crow, and Horned Pie, 

 The feathers of the head and neck were black, and 

 it had the power of bristling them up like those of 

 a jay : the back and wings were also black, and 

 accompanied by a slight reflexion of green and 

 violet: the breast and belly were of a dull white; 

 the exterior quill- feathers tipped with white: the 

 tail consisted of six white quills, black at the root, 

 and four entirely black: the legs were black, scaly, 

 thick, and strong, and the claws long, but not 

 sharp. This bird hopped with both feet at once, 

 forwards and sideways, like a jay or magpie: When 

 at rest its head seemed to recline on its shoulders: 

 when disturbed it swelled and raised itself with an 

 air of boldness, but its general gait was heavy and 

 dull; its resemblance to the raven and magpie 

 giving it a kind of ignoble aspect, suited to its dis- 

 position. It swallovv^ed raw flesh, and would also 

 eat lettuces, which it first bruised with its bill: it 

 caught rats, and even devoured a small bird which 

 was thrown to it alive: its voice was a short hoarse 

 croak ; and it also uttered at intervals a sound 



