96 
NATURAL HISTORY. [EAST. ZOOL. 
which they decorate with shell, bones, stones, and other 
articles, and through which they run in playful chase 
after each other. 
The family of Finches ( Fringillidce , Cases 68—71) 
have short conical bills, and generally feed on seeds or 
fruits. The Weavers ( Ploceus ) build a very artificial nest. 
Some of them build together, and form as it were a large 
town in the trees. The Crossbeaks are peculiar for the 
tips of the two jaws crossing each other. The Tanagers 
(Tanagra) are only found in America; some of them are 
very beautifully coloured; they have the end of the beak 
slightly notched, which has caused them sometimes to be 
arranged with the dentirostral birds. The Buntings 
( Ernberiza) have a narrow upper beak, furnished with a 
hard knob in the centre of the palate. The Larks ( Alauda ), 
like most of the birds which are much on the ground, have a 
long hind claw. The Bull-finches ( Loxia ) and the Gross- 
beaks ( Pyrrhula ) vary greatly in the size and form of their 
beaks, that of the latter group being often very large and 
strong. 
The family of Plantain Eaters ( Musophagidce , Case 71) 
have many characters in common with the Finches, but their 
feet are stronger, the outer toes being sometimes directed 
forwards. The beak is strong, toothed on the edge, and 
the nostrils are oblong, and sunk as it were into its sub¬ 
stance. They live on fruit; building in holes in trees. 
They are only found in the tropical part of Africa. Some 
are of a large size, and have been supposed to have some 
affinity to the gallinaceous birds. The Colies ( Colins ) 
are smaller, and have a long tail; they live in flocks, form¬ 
ing their nests in company, and sleeping with their heads 
downwards, closely pressed one against the other. 
The family of Hornbills ( Buceridoe , Cases 72 and 73) 
have a very large beak, like the Toucans, but heavier, and 
varying greatly in shape, according to the age of the bird ; 
they feed on fruit, mice, small birds and reptiles. Like 
the Toucans, they swallow their food whole, throwing it in 
the air and catching it, to facilitate their swallowing it. 
They are peculiar to the warm parts of Asia and Africa. 
Lastly, the Scansorial Birds (Scansores) have short 
feet, fitted for climbing; most of them have the power of 
