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THE BLUE PLANTAIN-EATER . 
Another beautiful example of this group is tlie White-crested Touraco. 
. T]lis bird is remarkable not only for its handsome plumage, but for its peculiar customs. 
It is even more suspicious and wary than the previous species, and has a peculiar talent 
for concealing itself. Let a White-crested Touraco only take the alarm, and in a second of 
time it will be so well hidden that even a practised eye can scarcely obtain a clue of its 
whereabouts. 
It is generally to be found among the branches of trees, and if it should be alarmed, and 
fly from one tree to another, it will vanish from sight so rapidly that the only way to get a 
shot at it is by sending some one up the tree to beat each bough in succession. While travers- 
ing the branches, it runs along them, always keeping its body in the same line with the bough, 
so that if it fears any danger, it has only to crawl closely to the upper part of the bough to be 
quite imperceptible from below. Like the European creepers, or the squirrel, it often avails 
itself of the thick trunk of a tree to hide itself from a supposed enemy, slipping quietly round 
the trunk, and always keeping on the opposite side. 
VIOLET PLANTAIN-EATER .— Musophaga violacea. 
Some of these birds are extremely inquisitive, and, in spite of their native caution, will 
follow a traveller for miles ; keeping just out of gunshot, and screaming loudly the while. The 
general color of this species is olive-green above, except on the crest, which is also green, but 
of a lighter hue, and is edged with a delicate line of white. The wings take a bluish-purple 
tint, especially upon the primary quill-feathers, and there is a horizontal streak of pure white 
beneath each eye. It is about as large as a common jackdaw. 
The Blue Plawtaih-eater, whose color may be known by its popular title, is generally 
to be found on the lofty trees that skirt the edges of streams, either perched demurely on the 
boughs, or flitting rapidly through them in search of the fruits and insects on which it feeds. 
The wings of this species are but weak, and are unable to endure a lengthened flight. It 
is rather remarkable that this species should have two distinct modes of flight : the one — which 
is its most usual method — is by a succession of rapid and apparently laborious flappings ; while 
the other is a graceful soar, in which the bird floats softly through the air, with wings extended 
and motionless. It never employs its wings if it can avoid doing so, and even in making a short 
