MAS SENA’S TROGON, 
125 
tropical forests. In its habits, it is not at all unlike the common fly-catcher of England, delight- 
ing to sit motionless npon a branch that overlooks one of the open spaces that are found in all- 
forests, or that commands a view of a path made by man or beast. On its perch it remains as 
still as if carved in wood, and sits apparently without thought or sensation until a tempting 
insect flies within easy reach. It then launches itself upon its prey, catches the insect in its 
bill, and returning to its perch, settles down again into its former state of languid tranquillity. 
The Motmot is not formed for long or active flight, as its wings are short and rounded, and 
the plumage, especially about the head, very loosely set. 
Some writers say that the Motmots do not confine themselves to such small prey as 
insects, but that they steal young birds out of their nests, and are also in the habit of eat- 
ing eggs. 
All the Motmots are about the size of the common magpie, and are remarkably handsome 
birds, their plumage being tinted with green, blue, scarlet, and other brilliant hues. The 
Brazilian Motmot is bright green on the upper parts of the body, excepting a spot of velvety- 
black upon the head, edged with green behind. The primary feathers are blue, and the under 
portions are green “ shot” with crimson, and a black spot is found on the breast. 
The Blue-capped-Motmot ( Momotus coeruleiceps). This is the only species found in 
North America. Its habits are much the same as those of the South American species. It 
inhabits Central America. 
TR O G O N S. 
For our systematic knowledge of the magnificent tribe of the Trogohs we are almost 
wholly indebted to Mr. Grould, who by the most persevering labor and the most careful inves- 
tigations has reduced to order this most perplexing group of birds, and brought into one 
volume a mass of information that is rarely found in similar compass. There are few groups 
of birds which are more attractive to the eye than the Trogons, with all their glowing hues of 
carmine, orange, green, and gold ; and few there are which presented greater difficulties to the 
ornithologist until their various characteristics were thoroughly sifted and compared together. 
The two sexes are so different from each other, both in the color and shape of the feathers, 
that they would hardly be recognizable as belonging to a single species, and even the young 
bird is very differently colored from his older relatives. 
These beautiful birds are found in the Old and the New Worlds, those which inhabit the 
latter locality being easily distinguishable by their deeply barred tails. Those of the Old W orld 
are generally found in Ceylon, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo, while only a single species, the 
Narina Trogon, is as yet known to inhabit Africa. The Trogons are mostly insect-eaters, 
taking their prey easily by means of their widely-opening mouths, and making no use of their 
slender feet and claws in the capture of their active enemy. Although gifted with such brill- 
iant coloring, they are but seldom seen, for they prefer the deep forest to the more open 
grounds, and remain seated among the dense foliage of some chosen tree as long as the sun 
remains above the horizon. 
The Trogons are mostly silent birds, the only cry used being that of the male during the 
season of pairing. It is not a very agreeable sound, being of a sombre and melancholy cast, 
and thought to resemble the word “ couroucourou,” a continuation of syllables which has 
therefore been applied to the entire tribe. The Trogons have been separated into five genera, 
each of which will find an example in the following pages. 
The splendid bird which has been called Masseha’s Trogox, in complimentary allusion 
to the celebrated prince of that name, is an inhabitant of Central America, specimens from 
