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THE CHOUGH 
Scarcely less curious than the “ umbrella,” as this overhanging plume is very appro- 
priately named, is a bunch of elongated feathers that hang from the breast in a tuft, perfectly 
distinct from the rest of the plumage, The peculiarity in this tuft is, that the feathers of 
which it is composed do not grow from the neck, but from a cylindrical fleshy growth, about 
as thick as an ordinary goose-quill and an inch and a half long. The whole of this curious 
appendage is covered with feathers, so that the breast tuft is wholly distinct from the feathers 
of the neck and breast. The entire skin of the neck is extremely loose, more so than in any 
other bird, according to Mr. Wallace. The feathers of this tuft are edged with a beautiful 
and resplendent blue, and lap over each other like so many scales. 
The food of the Umbrella Bird consists chiefly of berries and various fruits, and it always 
rejects the hard stones of stone fruit. As its cry is extremely loud and deep, the natives call 
the bird by a name which signifies a pipe. 
SCARLET CROWS. 
Of the next little group of Corvidae, named the Pyrrhocoracinse, or Scarlet Crows, in allu- 
sion to the red bill and legs of some of the species, Europe possesses a good example in the 
common Chough. In all these birds the beak is long, slender, slightly curved downwards, 
and with a small notch at the extremity. 
CHOUGH — (Fregilus gracvlus ) ; and ALPINE CEOW. — (. Pyrrhocorax alpinus). 
The Chough is essentially a coast bird, loving rocks and stones, and having a great dislike 
to grass or hedges of every kind. When in search of food it will venture for some little 
