LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 Class 
 
 BIOLOGY 
 
 UBRARY 
 
 G 
 
 A 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS 
 
By the same JfutDor. 
 
 BIRDS OF THE COUNTRYSIDE. 
 PETS AND HOW TO KEEP THEM. 
 
 ORNITHOLOGICAL AND OTHER 
 
 ODDITIES. 
 
 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS OF INDIA. 
 
 THE BIRDS OF CALCUTTA. 
 
 HOW TO KNOW THE INDIAN DUCKS. 
 
 HOW TO KNOW THE INDIAN WADERS- 
 
 FANCY PHEASANTS. 
 
 FANCY WATERFOWL. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS 
 
 A simple and popular classification 
 of the Birds of the World 
 
 BY 
 FRANK FINN, B.A. (OxON.), F.Z.S. 
 
 Member of the British Ornithologists' Union. 
 Late Deputy Superintendent of the Indian Museum, Calcutta. 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 
 Birds of the Countryside," "Garden and Aviary Birds in India, 
 "Ornithological and other Oddities," &c., &c. 
 
 With over 50 illustrations from photographs (mostly 
 
 taken from living specimens) and outline figures 
 
 in the text. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 HUTCHINSON & CO. 
 
 PATERNOSTER ROW 
 1908 
 
BIOLOGY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 G 
 
 ; 
 
 I have some trifling skill in augury, 
 
 And can divine you, from its beak and eyes, 
 
 What sort of fowl it is." 
 
 THOMAS HOOD, "Lamia." 
 
To THE TRUSTEES OF THE 
 
 INDIAN MUSEUM, CALCUTTA, 
 
 in grateful acknowledgment of the constant 
 
 kindness and consideration shown to him 
 
 when in their service, this book 
 
 is dedicated by the Author. 
 
 189249 
 
ADDENDA. 
 
 TROGONS. While this book was being printed a living 
 Trogon, of the Cuban species (Prionotelus temnurus), 
 has been imported into England in good con- 
 dition by Mr. W. Frost. 
 
 WHALE-HEADED STORK. The nestlings of this bird 
 are clothed in reddish-grey down ; it utters a scream- 
 ing and a laughing note, beside clattering its bill. 
 The photograph attributed to Captain S. S. Flower 
 on the plate, is by Mr. W. L. S. Loat (see Captain 
 S. S. Flower's paper on this bird, Avicultural Maga- 
 zine, May, 1908). 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 THE present work is an attempt to afford a practical 
 and comprehensive survey of the living birds of the 
 world for the benefit of those who have not the time 
 or inclination to engage in dissection or detailed museum 
 work, but wish to form, from simple ordinary ob- 
 servation of living or stuffed birds, some idea of the 
 relationships and attributes of the birds they may meet 
 with, especially foreign species ; for presumably readers 
 of this book will have made themselves acquainted 
 with the familiar species of our own country, on which 
 so many useful handbooks have been published. 
 
 The alphabetical order in which the families are 
 treated has been adopted from the point of view of 
 expediency, as the families of birds are so numerous, 
 and their relationships to each other, even if they 
 were completely agreed upon by ornithologists, could 
 not in any case be exhibited naturally in linear order. 
 When a sub-heading under any family is omitted, it 
 is implied that the author had no information on that 
 point. 
 
 The concise and systematic form in which the infor- 
 mation about each family is given will, it is hoped, 
 be found particularly convenient for reference, and the 
 credit for this is due to Dr. P. Chalmers Mitchell, F.R.S., 
 Secretary to the Zoological Society, who, before his 
 appointment to that post, was engaged in writing a 
 work somewhat on the present lines, in co-operation 
 with the present writer, and has kindly allowed him 
 to use the idea. 
 
viii PREFACE. 
 
 Dr. Mitchell's multifarious duties have put a stop 
 to further joint undertaking, but I hereby wish to 
 acknowledge my great indebtedness to him for his 
 assistance, and to express my belief that, whatever merits 
 the present work may be found to possess, they would 
 have been much greater had he been my coadjutor 
 throughout. As it is, he must not be held responsible 
 for any statements made or opinions expressed in the 
 work as it now stands. 
 
 The illustrations are mostly from living specimens 
 now or formerly in the collection of the London Zoo- 
 logical Society, and they have been selected as far as 
 possible with a view to giving life-like representations 
 of birds belonging to families altogether unfamiliar, 
 or of unfamiliar species of well-known families, rather 
 than the repeated illustrations of well-known British 
 birds so familiar in works on general ornithology. 
 
 FRANK FINN. 
 
 London, 1908. 
 
LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Apteryx, Mantell's .... To face page 76 
 
 Birds-of-Paradise .... 97 
 
 Black Vulture .... 2 
 
 Boatbill 1 66 
 
 Brazilian Bush-shrike ... 96 
 
 Bustard, Denham's ... 3 
 
 Cariama ..... , 5 10 
 
 Cat-bird 118 
 
 Crocodile-bird .... ,, 16 
 
 Emu n 
 
 Falcon, Saker .... 26 
 
 Finfoot 38 
 
 Frigate-bird 38 
 
 Frogmouth . . 39 
 
 Goose, Magpie . 39 
 
 Guan, Orton's .... 23 
 
 Hornbills 62 
 
 Humming-birds .... 63 
 
 Jay, American Blue ... 104 
 
 -Kagu. ... ,,69 
 
 Kakapo 89 
 
 Kingfisher, Buff Laughing . 77 
 
 Kiskadee 119 
 
 Lapwing, Australian Wattled . 154 
 
 Osprey . . . . 27 
 
 Owl, Australian Barn ... 88 
 
 Parson-bird . .... 105 
 
 Peacock-Pheasant .... 44 
 
 Penguin, Yellow-crowned . 130 
 
 Pigeon, Blue-tailed Fruit- . . 131 
 
X LIST I OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Porphyrio To fact page 145 
 
 Pratincole ..... 17 
 
 Puff-bird 140 
 
 Rail, Ypecaha . .... 141 
 
 Rhea ,, 144 
 
 Road-runner ..... ,, 22 
 
 Robin, New Zealand . . . ,, 115 
 
 Rosy Pastor ..... 114 
 
 Secretary-bird .... ,, 149 
 
 Screamer, Crested .... ,, 148 
 
 Skua 45 
 
 Spoonbill 68 
 
 Sugar-bird, Purple .... 16 
 
 Sun-bittern 155 
 
 Thick-knee, Double-Striped . 162 
 
 Tinamou, Rufous .... 163 
 
 Tody .... ,,105 
 
 Toucanet ..... 166 
 
 Touracou 167 
 
 Tropic-bird 172 
 
 Whale-headed Stork ... 173 
 
 OUTLINE TEXT-FIGURES, 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Babbler 97 
 
 Bell-bird 102 
 
 Bulbul . . 101 
 
 Lyre-bird (head and foot) . . . . .109 
 
 Humming-bird (head and foot) .... 65 
 Kiwi (head and foot) . . . . . -75 
 
 Ostrich's foot 84 
 
 Parrot (to show nomenclature of parts) . Introduction. 
 
 (head and foot) 89 
 
 Pitta 112 
 
 Toucan (head and foot) . . . . . .165 
 
 Touracou (head and foot) . . . . .167 
 
 Trogon (head and foot) 169 
 
OF 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 THERE is no need to give any elaborate definition of 
 birds ; they are animals with feathers, the possession 
 of these being a unique distinction. Among other 
 vertebrates the reptiles are the most closely related to 
 them, and, in fact, if birds did not possess feathers, it 
 would be doubtful if they could be separated from the 
 reptilian class. The feathers of birds, it may be noted, 
 do not grow all over the body in most cases, but in 
 definite tracts, differing in the various groups ; these 
 may be well seen in a young Pigeon or Sparrow while 
 fledging. 
 
 In size and form birds do not display the same varia- 
 tion that is found in other vertebrates, such as beasts 
 and fish. 
 
 The largest known bird is the Ostrich, which may 
 stand eight feet high, and the smallest is the Vervain 
 Humming-bird (Mellisuga minima), which is about the 
 size of a large humble-bee. 
 
 There is no evidence from geology that any flying 
 bird ever existed at all approaching the size even of 
 the Rhea, and as large birds commonly have a diffi- 
 culty in rising on the wing, it may be that flight, for 
 birds over a certain size, becomes impossible. The 
 heaviest known flying-bird appears to be the Great 
 South African Bustard (Eupodotis kori), which may 
 attain a weight of over fifty pounds, but its span of 
 wing is little more than eight feet, whereas the largest 
 Albatross may attain to a yard more than this. 
 
xii INTBODUCTION. 
 
 With the exception of variations in the shape and 
 length of the bill, neck and limbs, the shape of birds is 
 very constant. The neck is always long compared with 
 that of other animals, and very flexible, to make up 
 for the inflexibility of the body, which is always com- 
 paratively short. 
 
 The true tail is movable only at the root and is always 
 short, although the feathers on it may be of great 
 length. 
 
 The fore-limbs or wings are modified for the support 
 of the quill feathers ; the bones of the hand being fused 
 together and encased in a common skin, with the excep- 
 tion of the thumb, which carries a little plume of stiff 
 feathers. The arm is folded up in a " Z " shape, with 
 the hand or " pinion " pointing backwards. 
 
 The wings of flightless birds often show some depar- 
 ture from this type, but they are always obviously 
 degenerate wings, pointing to the fact that their 
 possessors have degenerated from flying birds, and do 
 not bear any resemblance to the paws of reptiles. In 
 many birds claws are present on the first finger, and in 
 some cases on the second also. 
 
 On the hand or pinion grow the primary quills, which 
 are the chief agents in flight. If they are clipped in 
 both wings the bird cannot fly by reason of the reduc- 
 tion of the wing area, nor can it, if only one wing 
 be operated upon, by reason of the destruction of the 
 balance. 
 
 The secondary quills, which grow on the fore-arm, 
 and largely or entirely cover the primaries in repose, 
 can be clipped without destroying the power of flight. 
 
 The innermost secondaries are often different in form 
 and colour from the rest, and are hence called tertiaries. 
 
 The remaining small feathers of the wing are known 
 as coverts. 
 
 In flying birds the front edge of the wing nearest the 
 body is formed by a membrane or web, which stretches 
 
INTRODUCTION. xiii 
 
 from the shoulder to the pinion joint ; this is known 
 scientifically as the Patagium. 
 
 The legs are, in their way, almost as distinctive as the 
 wings. The true thigh is short and tucked up closely 
 to the body like the stifle-joint in a horse, to which it 
 corresponds. What is called the thigh in describing 
 a bird really corresponds to the leg of man from the 
 knee to the heel. 
 
 The leg of the bird the scaly part so called in popular 
 language is really the elongated instep ; hence I 
 prefer the non-committal term of " shank " for it. The 
 term Tarsus, by which it is known ornithologically, 
 is incorrect, as well as being unintelligible to most 
 people. 
 
 No bird has more than four toes, the fifth toe found 
 in some domestic fowls being a duplication of the 
 hinder toe. The usual arrangement of the toes is three 
 in front and one behind. This hind-toe corresponds 
 to the first or great toe in man, but in birds it is usually 
 the smallest of the four, often so small as to be useless, 
 and not infrequently absent altogether. The second toe 
 is often armed with a particularly large claw ; it is 
 absent in the Ostrich and in some Kingfishers. The 
 third toe, or middle front toe, sometimes has a toothed 
 edge to the inner side of the claw. This is, no doubt, 
 to increase its efficiency in scratching, as all birds 
 scratch themselves with this third toe. The outer toe is 
 absent only in a small Chinese Babbler (Cholornis 
 paradoxa). In many birds, however, as in Parrots 
 and Woodpeckers, it is turned backwards, thus throw- 
 ing the toes into two pairs. Such pair-toed birds often 
 lose the hind-toe, which shows that the disposition of 
 toes in pairs is no special adaptation to climbing. 
 
 The toes may be altogether free that is to say, not 
 connected by skin or they may be more or less united 
 by a common skin, as in Kingfishers, or more or less 
 connected by a web or loose skin allowing of extension. 
 
XIV 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 This is, of course, best developed in water-fowl, as it 
 renders the foot more serviceable as a paddle, but it is 
 often present to a small degree in land birds also, as 
 in the common fowl, and its presence and degree of 
 
 CERE 
 
 EAR COVERTS 
 
 WING COVERTS 
 
 SECONDARY QUILLS 
 
 TIPS OF 
 PRIMARY QUILLS 
 
 UPPER TAIL COVERTS 
 
 UNDER TAIL COVERTS 
 
 Outline of Parrot to explain the less familiar and more useful terms 
 used in describing birds (such terms as crown, throat, breast, &c., 
 of course explain themselves). 
 
 development affords a useful character for the dis- 
 crimination of families. 
 
 The shank and toes are usually covered with scales,- 
 
INTRODUCTION. XV 
 
 which vary in number and size. When they are very 
 small and numerous the covering of the foot is said to be 
 " reticulated " or netted. The scales down the front of 
 the shank may be fused into a single plate, as in the 
 Thrush. In some birds, as in Owls and Grouse, the 
 shanks, and often the toes, may be covered with small 
 soft feathers, but no wild bird produces the large stiff 
 quills which grow on the sides of the feet of some tame 
 fowls and Pigeons. As a general rule all the toes are 
 provided with claws, usually curved and pointed, and 
 there is never more than one toe without a claw. 
 
 The tail quills vary very much in length and propor- 
 tions. When the outer ones are longest, as in Swallows, 
 the tail is said to be forked, and this formation usually 
 occurs in birds of powerful and graceful flight. When 
 the centre ones are longest, and those outside of them 
 diminish progressively in length, as in the Pheasant, 
 the tail is said to be wedge-shaped or graduated. Birds 
 with this form of tail are very seldom very powerful 
 fliers, but taking the class all round, it is not easy to 
 establish the relation of length and form of tail and 
 powers of flight. In some birds the tail feathers are not 
 quills at all, but soft, ordinary short feathers, as in 
 Quails and Tinamous, or, in Grebes, a mere wisp of 
 hairy-looking down. 
 
 The number of the tail feathers is normally twelve, 
 or some number near it, as ten or fourteen. When 
 more than the latter number exists, it is only in the 
 case of birds where the tail is of no great importance in 
 flight, as in the Swan and many of the Pheasants. 
 
 On the root of the tail is situated the oil-gland, almost 
 the only skin-gland which birds possess, and with the 
 creamy secretion of which they dress their plumage. 
 It is not infrequently, however, ill-developed or absent ; 
 the surface of the nipple-like top of the gland is also 
 sometimes naked and sometimes furnished {with a greasy 
 tuft of feathers. 
 
xvi INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The jaws or beak are encased with a sheathing of horn, 
 except in Ducks and Flamingoes, where they are covered 
 with a soft skin, except at the extreme tip. In many 
 birds also, as in Hawks and Parrots, the basal part of 
 the bill is soft, forming what is called the cere. The 
 nostrils are usually at the point of the beak, but in some 
 birds as, in Geese, Gulls and Cranes, they are central ; 
 in the Golden-eye Ducks (Clangula) nearer the tip 
 than the root; and in the Kiwis (Apteryx), which are 
 the only birds which go about sniffing for food like a 
 beast, they are quite at the tip. The Kiwis, by the way, 
 are not only the only birds which seem chiefly guided 
 by their sense of smell, but the only ones in which the 
 sight is deficient, for they seem to see but poorly. 
 
 The tongue usually corresponds to the length of the 
 bill, but in some long-billed groups, as Ibises and King- 
 fishers, is remarkably short, and can be of little use. 
 In Cormorants and Pelicans it is rudimentary. Except 
 in honey-sucking birds, it can seldom be protruded far 
 out of the mouth, and it may be mentioned that in- 
 voluntary protrusion of the tongue in honey-suckers is 
 a fatal symptom. 
 
 The eyes are generally large, and are furnished with 
 a well-developed third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, 
 a thin filmy skin which is seen sometimes to pass across 
 the eye from its interior corner. This is the way birds 
 wink, as a rule, and hence their want of expression to 
 our eyes. Owls and Moreporks, however, blink with the 
 upper eyelid like a human being, so also does the Water- 
 Ousel or Dipper. Most birds, when closing the eye, bring 
 the under lid upwards. In death the eyes are always 
 closed, birds not dying with their eyes open like beasts. 
 
 Although birds do not possess external ears like 
 beasts, and although the ear-opening is commonly over- 
 hung by a patch of stiff feathers, the ear-coverts, their 
 sense of hearing seems to be quite equal to that of 
 ordinary beasts. 
 
INTRODUCTION. xvii 
 
 It is not my intention here to go much into the 
 internal structure of birds, but a few characteristic points 
 may be noted. It will have been noticed by most 
 observant people that a large part of the body is made 
 up by the " breast," the great pectoral muscles which 
 move the wings. The keel on the centre of the breast- 
 bone affords increased space for the attachment of these. 
 In most non-flying birds, the pectoral muscles having 
 dwindled, this keel is wanting. The merrythought, or 
 wish-bone, corresponds to the collar-bone in man, and 
 varies a great deal in development in birds. When 
 well developed, it indicates good powers of flight. 
 
 With regard to the internal organs, it wih 1 be noticed 
 that the lungs and kidneys are closely pressed against 
 the body wall, so much so that they are indented by the 
 adjacent bones. The reproductive organs are also 
 closely attached to the wall of the body, and outside 
 the breeding season are much reduced in size, so that 
 the sex is often not easy to distinguish by dissection. 
 
 The bones of birds are generally hollow to a greater 
 or less extent, and contain air which passes into them 
 from air-sacs situated in different parts of the body,- 
 which in their turn are connected with the lungs. This 
 circulation of air in the body of birds may perhaps 
 account for their sensitiveness to changes of tempera- 
 ture, which has for ages given them the reputation of 
 weather prophets. The vocal organ of birds is the 
 syrinx, situated at the base of the windpipe ; the 
 tongue does not influence the voice. 
 
 The bodily temperature in birds is very high, equalling 
 fever heat in man. It is doubtful if they ever become 
 torpid like beasts and reptiles, but Humming-birds, 
 when exposed to a temperature too low for them, will 
 become insensible, and will revive when warmed, as 
 also will some young nestling birds, like young Canaries 
 and Pigeons. 
 
 The digestion of birds is very powerful, the seed- 
 
 b 
 
xviii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 eating species having the hind portion of their stomach 
 very muscular and thick ; this is known as the gizzard, 
 and acts as a grinding mill ; the process is assisted by 
 the gravel which the bird swallows for the purpose. 
 Among insect-eating and carnivorous birds the hard 
 parts of the prey are often ejected in the form of pellets, 
 as by Owls and Fly-catchers, but some species with 
 the same dietary have such powerful digestions that 
 all such matter appears to be digested ; at any rate, 
 no castings are formed. Such is the case with Grebes 
 and Starlings, for example ; the former often eat and 
 digest their own feathers. The Lammergeier, or Bearded 
 Vulture, has so powerful a digestion, that it feeds upon 
 bones, coming to a carcase after the other vultures 
 have left it. The appetite of birds is very great 
 and their digestion rapid ; all their bodily processes, 
 in fact, are energetic, but, nevertheless, they are re- 
 markably long-lived compared with beasts, though 
 they present notable differences in this respect. The 
 flightless birds seem to enjoy less long lives than flying 
 species, and of these those attaining the greatest age 
 are the larger kinds of Parrots, Birds of Prey, and 
 Waterfowl ; there is evidence that some of these 
 may reach a century, while even small birds like the 
 Canary may reach twenty years. They often, on attain- 
 ing a great age, die almost suddenly, with little per- 
 ceptible failing of the powers. 
 
 The senses of birds are very acute. Their hearing 
 seems to be as good as that of beasts, while their 
 sight is better than that of any other animal. Contrary 
 to a very common idea, the nocturnal species appear 
 to be able to see quite well by day, though the converse 
 is not the case ; although some birds with no special 
 adaptation to night vision, such as Ducks, are constantly 
 out at night, and a large number of the small diurnal 
 birds perform their migration at that time, apparently 
 to avoid enemies such as Hawks, Crows, and Gulls. 
 
INTRODUCTION. xix 
 
 It is doubtful, however, if they have much sense of 
 smell, and in many cases the sense of taste cannot be 
 very acute. I have found, for instance, that birds will 
 take certain insects and swallow them on the first trial, 
 and then refuse the same kind afterwards. Thus it 
 would appear that they are guided as to the quality of 
 food by their stomachic sensations ; and this is sup- 
 ported by the well-known fondness of Pigeons and 
 Fowls for hemp-seed, which they swallow whole, and 
 therefore cannot possibly taste it in the mouth. Their 
 sense of touch is as delicate as can be expected, con- 
 sidering the fact that their body is covered with feathers 
 or horn : their feet seem to be the most sensitive part^ 
 and are easily hurt, a fact which some intelligent species 
 take advantage of when fighting. 
 
 The battles of birds are very often severe, and in some 
 cases they have special weapons, such as the two spurs 
 on the wings of the Screamers and the single one on 
 those of the Jaganas and some birds of the Plover and 
 Duck families. Leg-spurs are only found among the 
 game-birds, and generally in the males only of these. 
 In some they may be as many as four in number. In 
 some birds, like the Crane and Cassowary, the enlarged 
 claw of the inner toe is used as a weapon. Birds of 
 prey, when fighting, very commonly turn on their 
 backs, so as to use their talons to good effect. 
 
 Birds naturally fight a great deal at the season of 
 courtship, and the general consensus of observers is to 
 the effect that the hen bird usually falls to the lot of the 
 strongest male present. This somewhat discounts the 
 value of the selection supposed to be exercised by the 
 female in favour of the handsomest male, but it is well 
 known to bird fanciers that the hens do show individual 
 preferences, and a sufficiently extended series of experi- 
 ments might prove that they really are attracted by 
 superior beauty. The positions assumed by the male 
 bird in courtship appear to be those expressive of emo- 
 
XX INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tion generally, since anger or even fear will often cause 
 the bird to put itself into courting posture. Similarly 
 also birds will sing at times through anger or fear. 
 
 It must be remembered what we call singing in birds 
 is to a certain extent an arbitrary term, meaning simply 
 a sound that we ourselves like. It is a commonplace 
 of moralists that beautiful birds do not generally sing, 
 but examination of the facts will show that the most 
 brilliant birds generally belong to families none of which 
 sing ; thus the Partridge does not sing any more than 
 the Peacock ; while the singing birds generally belong 
 to a group in which no species is brightly coloured, 
 such as the Skylark. Where a bright-coloured species 
 belongs to a singing group the power of song may be 
 present in addition to brilliant colouration. Thus the 
 American Red Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), perhaps 
 the showiest of all finches, has long been known as the 
 Virginian Nightingale. 
 
 The nesting arrangements of birds vary a great deal. 
 The eggs may be simply laid on the bare ground or rock, 
 as by the Nightjar or Guillemot ; or a nest of varying 
 elaborateness may be built, the most wonderful, perhaps, 
 being the beautifully woven structures of the Weaver- 
 birds. The elaborateness of the nest does not depend 
 upon the clumsiness or otherwise of the bird, as has been 
 stated. Parrots, for example, do not usually build nests, 
 but breed in holes ; but this is not because they are 
 clumsy, because the only nest-building Parrot, the Grey- 
 breasted or Quaker Parrakeet (Myopsittacus monachus), 
 builds a very elaborate structure of twigs. The clum- 
 sily-shaped Broadbills (Eurylcemince) also build elaborate 
 nests. The Parrakeet above-mentioned builds a com- 
 munistic nest, several pairs uniting to build a structure 
 with several rooms, and this principle is further carried 
 out by the well-known Social Weaver-bird (Philetcerus 
 socius) of Africa. Many birds, such as Bee-eaters, 
 and some Parrots, are burrowers, and these do not line 
 
INTRODUCTION. xxi 
 
 their nests as a rule ; the burrowing is effected by pick- 
 ing with the bill and scraping with the feet. 
 
 Many birds are parasitic, getting their eggs hatched 
 and reared by others, the most familiar instance of this 
 being the European Cuckoo. Not more than half the 
 known Cuckoos have this habit, but it is found again 
 in the Honeyguides and in some of the American 
 Troupials, notably the well-known Cowbird (Molobrus 
 pecoris] of North America, and its southern allies. 
 
 Polygamy is usually confined to the Game-Birds, 
 and in such cases the female undertakes the entire 
 charge of the eggs and young. Polyandry appears in 
 several cases where the male undertakes family duties, 
 as in the Tinamous. In the Rhea the instinct seems 
 to be in a fluctuating state in this respect. The male 
 fights his rivals and guards the hens, of which he will 
 secure several. Yet he sits on the eggs and cares for 
 the young, and the female in captivity will often pair 
 with another male. As a general rule, where the male 
 undertakes the sitting and rearing, the character of the 
 sexes is reversed, the female being bolder and more 
 pugnacious, and even larger and more brightly coloured, 
 though she is never so far superior to the male in appear- 
 ance as male birds often are to females. In a very 
 large number of cases the sexes of birds are practically 
 exactly alike, as in the ordinary Pigeons. 
 
 Close examination, however, generally shows that 
 the male is slightly larger and longer-headed and 
 billed in such cases. The New Zealand Huia (Hetera- 
 locha acutirostris), a black jay-like bird allied to Star- 
 lings, offers a very curious case, the male having a bill 
 much like a Woodpecker's, while the female's is long, 
 thin, and curved ; they hunt rotten wood for insects 
 in couples, the male pecking, and the female probing, 
 for prey. The great superiority of appearance in the 
 male is, of course, a familiar fact in many cases ; 
 it being so well known in the Fowl and Common 
 
xxii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Duck. In such cases the young generally follow the 
 plumage of the adult female. Often, however, whether 
 the sexes are alike or different, the young have a separate 
 first plumage of their own, as in the case of the young 
 Robin, which is spotted. In a few cases the young, 
 as in the Upland Goose of South America (Chloephaga 
 magellanica), show the sex-difference in their first 
 feathering. 
 
 A seasonal change of colour to a greater or a less 
 extent is not uncommon in birds. It may affect only 
 the special plumage of the male, as in the case of the 
 Common Drake, which loses its distinctive hues in 
 summer. Or it may affect both sexes, as in the well- 
 known change of the Ptarmigan to white in winter. 
 Such changes occur amongst tropical birds as well as 
 among those of temperate regions, so that it must not 
 be put down as necessarily an adaptation to a severe 
 winter. 
 
 Considering their powers of flight, it is not surprising 
 that birds are to be found all over the world, even on 
 the remotest islands ; the Emperor Penguin breeding 
 even on the Antarctic ice. In the highest latitudes 
 the species, however, mostly draw their sustenance from 
 the sea, either directly or indirectly, and very few remain 
 during the winter. 
 
 In temperate regions also there is a great migratory 
 movement towards the warmer climates in autumn, 
 and back again to the breeding places in spring. The 
 motive for migration from a temperate climate is 
 obvious enough, food in such zones being scarce during 
 the winter season. The return journey in the spring is 
 less easily explained, but is probably partly due to the 
 strong attachment of birds to their home or nesting 
 site, and partly also in all probability to persecution by 
 the permanent residents in their winter quarters. In 
 the tropics there is a great deal of local migration in 
 relation to the rains ; aquatic and fish-eating species, 
 
INTRODUCTION. xxiii 
 
 for instance, seeking flooded districts, others migrating 
 to avoid a damp climate. 
 
 Mere temperature heat or cold seems to affect 
 birds but little, provided there is not excessive damp 
 and that the food is abundant. This is shown by the 
 ease with which tropical birds can be kept in the open 
 in temperate countries, while, conversely, birds from 
 temperate regions will often live well in the tropics, 
 though there are exceptions in both cases. 
 
 The range in some species of birds is very wide, 
 especially among birds of prey and aquatic species. 
 Our Barn Owl, Peregrine Falcon, and Cormorant, for 
 instance, are found nearly all over the globe, and the 
 Turnstone, except in the breeding season, practically 
 everywhere. 
 
 A most remarkable distribution is that of the Fulvous 
 Tree-duck (Dendrocycna fulva), a member of a tropical, 
 non-migratory group of water-fowl, which is, notwith- 
 standing, found in Africa, India and tropical America. 
 Several families of non-migratory birds, it may be men- 
 tioned, have this distribution, that is to say, all round 
 the world in hot climates. Some tropical families also 
 may be noted to send forth'outlying forms into temperate 
 regions ; such are the Cuckoos, Parrots, and King- 
 fishers, of which a few species may be found in temperate 
 climates, though most are tropical. 
 
 The bird with the most limited numbers of any 
 is probably the Narcondam Hornbill (Rhytidoceros 
 narcondami), which is confined to the Island of Nar- 
 condam, a small wooded hill rising out of the Bay of 
 Bengal, only about three square miles in area, and 
 estimated to hold two hundred of these birds. Birds 
 with a limited habitat like this are, of course, particularly 
 liable to extermination if any change in condition occurs. 
 Ground -living species in such places have often lost the 
 power of flight, and hence soon fall victims to such 
 animals as cats, rats, and pigs, which accompany man. 
 
xxiv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Nowadays where species of limited range are to be 
 found, the half -educated ornithologist is too often their 
 worst enemy, from his mistaken zeal in " accumulating 
 liberal series " for Museums. 
 
 In birds of wide range, considerable differences are 
 often noticed between examples from different localities, 
 though, as these differences are not constant, they do 
 not constitute a specific distinction. Such local differ- 
 ences constitute what are known as local races ; thus 
 the large Siberian Goldfinches, commonly imported 
 into England in winter by dealers, are easily distinguish- 
 able from our own birds, but connecting links are easily 
 found in Continental specimens. 
 
 The world is divided ornithologically into several 
 great regions characterized by the birds occurring there. 
 
 The Palsearctic region includes the northern part of 
 the Old World. The Divers, Auks, and Grouse are 
 confined to this region, and it is the chief breeding- 
 ground of many groups, such as Warblers and Sand- 
 pipers, which often spend the winter much farther south 
 of it. Thrushes, Tits, and Finches are also partly 
 characteristic birds of this region, but are likewise found 
 over the whole world generally. 
 
 The Nearctic region consists of North America, and 
 exhibits much the same characteristic types as the 
 above, with a mixture of South American forms ; but, 
 as most of these are migratory, it is hardly justifiable to 
 keep the regions separate, and the two combined are 
 often known as the Holarctic region. 
 
 The Ethiopian region includes Africa south of the 
 Sahara, the country north of which belongs to the Palse- 
 arctic region. This contains many peculiar and charac- 
 teristic forms, Mouse Birds, Touracous, Wood Hoopoes, 
 Guinea Fowls, and especially the Ostrich, while Weaver 
 Birds, Francolins, and Hornbills are highly charac- 
 teristic of it, although not confined thereto, occurring 
 also' in the next region. 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXV 
 
 The Oriental, or Indian, region embraces Asia south 
 of the Himalayas, the boundaries of the Palaearctic 
 region, and the East Indian islands down to Bali. 
 Broad-bills are the only important group confined 
 to this region, but the Pheasants, Babblers and Sun- 
 birds are partly characteristic of it. It might perhaps 
 be advantageously united to the Ethiopian region, as 
 there is evidence that more types were once common 
 to both, as is shown by the fossil remains of African 
 mammals occurring in the Siwalik Hills. 
 
 The Australian region begins at Lombok, only sepa- 
 rated by a narrow strait from Bali in the Indian region, 
 and includes all the East Indies east of this, Australia, 
 New Zealand, New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands. 
 It has more peculiar forms than any other of the fore- 
 going regions ; for instance, the Cassowaries, Lories, 
 Lyre-birds, Birds of Paradise, Bower-birds, and almost 
 all the Honey-eaters, Cockatoos and Mound-birds. 
 In the case of each of the last three, one species only 
 occurs outside of the limits. At the same time, many 
 other widely distributed families are absent from this 
 region, especially Woodpeckers, Vultures, and typical 
 Finches. 
 
 The Neotropical region consists of South America 
 and the countries north of it up to Mexico. This, also, 
 is a very distinct region containing many peculiar forms 
 Rheas, Tinamous, Trumpeters, Curassows, Ja9amars, 
 Puff -birds, Motmots, Toucans, and sub-groups of the 
 Passerine family too numerous to mention here, besides 
 most of the Tanagers, Troupials and Humming Birds, 
 though some of these penetrate into North America. 
 
 Quite a number of birds, generally European, have 
 been naturalized in other countries than their own, 
 either for the sake of sport, as in the case of Game 
 Birds, or in the hope that they would be useful as insect - 
 destroyers, or simply on sentimental grounds. It is 
 unfortunately the case that some of the most successful 
 
xxvi INTRODUCTION. 
 
 of the introduced species have not been desirable ones, 
 such as the ordinary House Sparrow, which is now found 
 through introduction over most of the world. On the 
 other hand, some have proved very useful and inoffen- 
 sive J for instance, the European Goldfinch, and against 
 these there is nothing to be said. The idea that intro- 
 duced birds necessarily tend to cause the extinction 
 of the original fauna appears to be a mistake. The 
 native birds which disappear are mostly those which 
 are dependent on the indigenous forests for their 
 existence ; while the introduced forms will thrive 
 in the neighbourhood of man, as he naturally selects 
 such birds as he is accustomed to see, such as the 
 House Mynah (Acridotheres tristis) of India, as well 
 as the Sparrow. The possibility of some species in 
 newly-settled countries becoming seriously reduced by 
 disease communicated by introduced birds is well 
 worthy of consideration, but this can hardly be avoided, 
 considering that poultry and pigeons can hardly be dis- 
 pensed with by colonists. The best birds to acclimatize 
 are those which are considered good for food or those 
 whose showy appearance assures a demand as cage- 
 birds, with the exception of the Parrots, whose extreme 
 destructiveness puts them out of court altogether. 
 
 Considering the beauty and interest of birds, it is 
 fortunate that they are, on the whole, such desirable 
 animals from the economic point of view. Hardly any 
 are actually dangerous, and comparatively few in- 
 jurious to crops or domestic animals, while the majority 
 do a great deal of good by the destruction of vermin 
 and seeds of weeds, and sometimes by scavenging. 
 Almost all are edible, and some of them furnish some 
 of the best and most easily available animal food. 
 
 The use of their feathers as ornaments is to my 
 mind illegitimate, and ought to be forbidden, except in 
 the case of those species which are reared in domestica- 
 tion, though it must be admitted that no species ever 
 
INTRODUCTION. xxvii 
 
 appears to have been exterminated by this practice. 
 Still, the havoc wrought is immense, and all the more 
 deplorable as it affects the most beautiful species. 
 
 The depredations of collectors on locally rare species 
 can be easily checked by making the destruction of 
 all birds illegal, except such species as may be found 
 to be locally too numerous and destructive. Such 
 measures have been proposed, but some so-called 
 ornithologists will, no doubt, be found to be in opposition, 
 for although they are against the killing of birds by 
 others, yet they reserve to themselves the right of 
 killing as many as they please ; and now that it is the 
 fashion to collect large numbers of specimens to ex- 
 emplify local variation, and to take the whole batch 
 of eggs out of a nest, an ignorant ornithologist may do 
 a considerable amount of harm in studying what he 
 mistakenly thinks is science. 
 
 As a matter of fact, it is a far more scientific pro- 
 ceeding to study birds in life, and if a rare visitor, or 
 casual variety, be spared, and given a chance to breed, 
 there is some chance of recording scientific facts of 
 really wide interest. The claim that all rare visitants 
 have " gone astray in migration " and " would never 
 remain to breed" is a mistaken one, since some birds 
 are even now known to be extending their range, and 
 some must have continually been so doing through all 
 past ages. 
 
 In this connection the importance of the study of 
 living birds in captivity deserves mention, as many 
 important facts have been ascertained thereby, and a 
 great many more might be added. Birds are usually 
 best kept in aviaries, but most will thrive well even in 
 cages if given plenty of space, kept scrupulously clean, 
 and well fed. The feeding of seed-eaters and carnivorous 
 birds with their natural food is easy, and fruit-eaters will 
 readily accept cooked vegetables and boiled rice, bread 
 and milk, etc., as a substitute for fruit ; but insect- 
 
xxviii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 eaters cause more trouble, and the small kinds, at all 
 events, cannot be kept long without a good supply of 
 insects either fresh or dried. Meal-worms and such 
 dried insects as " dried flies " and " dried ants' eggs " 
 (really the cocoons) are readily obtainable in Europe, 
 and should be taken abroad by anyone intending to 
 try to bring home insectivorous birds. Bread and milk, 
 however, and raw meat or hard-boiled egg minced fine 
 and mixed with stale bread-crumbs, will keep them 
 for some time, and the more omnivorous kinds will live 
 on this indefinitely. Honey-eating birds will live on 
 condensed milk suitably diluted. As will be seen, there 
 are very few families of which some species or other 
 has not been kept in captivity, and the number of those 
 which have been bred in that state is constantly in- 
 creasing, to the great advancement of ornithological 
 knowledge and of biology generally. 
 
 The classification of birds has long been regarded as 
 a subject of great difficulty, owing to the close inter- 
 relationship of so many of the numerous families, and 
 hence the various standard works on birds present 
 the greatest divergence as to the numbers of " orders " 
 under which these families are grouped, and in some 
 one case writer will put a family under a different order 
 from that in which it is placed by another. Thus 
 much confusion arises ; but the families themselves are 
 at any rate natural assemblages, and easily recog- 
 nisable by external as well as internal characters. 
 The number of them in this book may, no doubt, 
 be reduced by future writers, as in some cases what 
 are here ranked, according to custom, as separate 
 families, would be better united. Thus, the Pelicans, 
 Gannets and Cormorants might well go all in one 
 family, along with the Frigate and Tropic-birds, while 
 the Toucans and Barbets might also be classed together, 
 and so forth, no doubt, in some other cases. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 AMERICAN VULTURES (Cathartidte). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Vulture-like birds of prey, with pervious 
 nostrils and all front toes webbed at base. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a fowl to larger than a swan. 
 
 FORM. Bill moderate or short, strongly hooked, with 
 no internal division between nostrils, and corner 
 of mouth high and terminating before eye ; feet 
 with hind-toe so short as to be useless, and all 
 front toes webbed at base. Wings large, blunt ; 
 tail usually short. Eyebrows not prominent as 
 in other birds of prey, and thighs closely feathered, 
 not clad in long plumes. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering sombre and 
 uniform, generally black ; no sexual difference in 
 colour or seasonal change, but young often unlike 
 adults. Head always bare of feathers. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless and clad in white down. 
 
 NEST. Usually none ; the eggs being laid on the 
 bare ground or on rocks, or in a hollow tree. 
 
 EGGS. One or two ; pale-coloured, uniform or 
 spotted. 
 
 INCUBATION. From about a month to nearly eight 
 weeks (Condor). 
 
 COURTSHIP. In the Black Vulture (Catharistes atratus] 
 the male erects and expands his wings. 
 
 I 
 
2 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 FOOD. Carrion, and any animals weak enough to be 
 overcome without trouble or danger. 
 
 GAIT. A sedate walk. They perch freely. 
 
 FLIGHT. In most species by sailing, like the Old World 
 Vultures ; but the small Black Vulture flaps and 
 sails alternately, like an ibis. 
 
 NOTE. A hiss only. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are, like Old World 
 Vultures, sociable, but cowardly and quarrelsome. 
 They seem never to bathe, and always have dirty 
 feet, like some storks. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are useful scavengers, but 
 the Condor is often injurious to young cattle and 
 sheep. Its quills are valued as ornaments. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They thrive well in this condition, and 
 the Condor and Black Vulture have laid eggs in 
 the London Zoological Gardens. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The species 
 of this family, seven in number, are confined to 
 America. The best known in menageries is the 
 celebrated Condor (Sarcorhamphus gryphus) of 
 the Andes, one of the largest of flying birds, and 
 unique in this family in showing a sexual difference 
 the possession of a comb and dewlap by the male ; 
 but the most familiar is probably the small Black 
 Vulture (Catharistes atratus), a well-known town 
 scavenger in hot regions in America, where it is 
 commonly called " Carrion Crow." The Turkey- 
 buzzard (Cathartes aura), black with pink head and 
 feet, has the widest range, however. The Calif or- 
 nian Vulture (C. calif ornianus) , very similar to the 
 Turkey-buzzard, but with orange head and as big 
 as the Condor, is nearly extinct. The King- 
 Vulture (Gyparchus papa), of South America, 
 which exerts authority over the Black Vulture, 
 is mainly cream-colour, with an orange nasal 
 wattle and black quills and tail. 
 
Photo copyright by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 
 Denham's Bustard (Eupodotis denhami). (See p. 9.) 
 
 The pose here is very characteristic of Bustards ; the species is a 
 West African one. 
 
THE WOBLD'S BIRDS. 3 
 
 AUKS (Alcidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Diving sea-fowl, with simple nostrils and 
 three webbed toes ; no hind-toe. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a small goose to that of a 
 lark. 
 
 FORM. Bill variously formed, corner of mouth ex- 
 tending to below eye ; feet with short shanks and 
 three fully webbed front toes ; wings short and 
 narrow ; tail short. Neck of medium length, body 
 stout and heavy. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Dark above, white 
 below, or nearly all dark ; no sexual difference, but 
 usually a seasonal change. The Puffins shed the 
 outer sheath of the bill after breeding. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy and active, but fed by the parents ; 
 down not streaked or spotted ; first plumage like 
 the winter dress of adults. 
 
 NEST. None, the eggs being laid on a rock-ledge or 
 in a hole. 
 
 EGGS. One or two only ; large, more or less conical, 
 spotted. 
 
 INCUBATION. About a month, or even longer. 
 
 COURTSHIP. In the Guillemot the male rises in the 
 water and swells his throat. 
 
 FOOD. Marine animals, fish, Crustacea, etc. 
 
 GAIT. On land an awkward waddle ; they sit erect, 
 and hobble on the hocks in some cases (Common 
 Guillemot), but not usually. They are fine 
 swimmers, especially below the surface, where 
 they use the half-closed wings for propulsion, not 
 the feet. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy and straight, performed by constant 
 rapid beats of the wings. 
 
 NOTE. A croak or whistle. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They seem to be stupid 
 and quarrelsome. They are, however, sociable. 
 
 I* 
 
4 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Their flesh and eggs are used 
 for food in default of better fowl. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They are seldom kept, and do not do very 
 well ; but if given natural treatment, i.e., plenty 
 of swimming room and fish to eat, they can be 
 maintained successfully. They have not bred in 
 confinement. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The birds 
 of this family are entirely marine, but haunt 
 seas of the Northern Hemisphere only, chiefly 
 in high latitudes, and approaching land only to 
 breed, which they always do gregariously. There 
 are about two dozen species, most of which are 
 found in the North Pacific. Familiar British 
 forms are the Guillemot (Una troile), Puffin 
 (Prater cula arctica), and Razorbill (Alca tor da). 
 The extinct Great Auk (Alca impennis) was far 
 the largest of the family, and the only flightless 
 member of it, the wings being far too small 
 for flight. The smallest is the Choochkie 
 (Simorhynchus pusillus) of Alaska, a very common 
 bird and an important article of food. The Little 
 Auk, or Rotche (Mergulus alle), of the Arctic 
 regions, is not much larger, about equalling a 
 thrush ; it visits Britain in winter. The Black 
 Guillemot, or Dovekie (Una grylle), is a familiar 
 bird in the Arctic regions also. The most 
 familiar Arctic form is, however, the Loom, or 
 Brunnich's Guillemot (Uria brunnichi). 
 
 BARBETS (Capitonidcz). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds with toes in pairs, and 
 
 stout beak of large but not excessive size. 
 SIZE. From that of a jay to that of a tit. 
 FORM. Bill short, stout, often bristled at the base, 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 5 
 
 corner of mouth under middle of the eye ; feet 
 with short shanks, and toes in pairs, the outer front 
 one being turned back ; wings short, rounded ; 
 tail short or medium, rounded or square. General 
 build heavy ; their carriage is stooping, sitting well 
 over the perch. 
 
 PLUMAGE, ETC. Predominant colour green, diversified 
 with red, yellow, blue, and black ; but some forms 
 have no green. No seasonal change and usually no 
 sex-difference ; young much like adults, but less 
 brilliant. 
 
 YOUNG. Naked and helpless. When fledging they 
 turn their tails over their backs under the wings. 
 They shuffle about on the hocks, where there is a 
 warty pad. 
 
 NEST. A hole in a tree, pecked out by the birds. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; white. 
 
 FOOD. Chiefly vegetable, berries especially. Some, 
 especially the American and African kinds, how- 
 ever, eat insects also. 
 
 GAIT. They usually hop about the boughs, seldom 
 coming to the earth naturally. On the ground 
 they hop. Some climb like woodpeckers. 
 
 FLIGHT. Undulating and not long protracted ; they 
 are not migratory. The feet are drawn up in 
 front. 
 
 NOTE. Constantly reiterated, and often metallic in 
 character. They are much more heard than seen. 
 
 DISPOSITION, HABITS, ETC. They are usually solitary 
 and rather quarrelsome, biting hard at any rate 
 Indian species ; but some African species seem 
 more sociable. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Indifferent, their chief food 
 being wild fruit. They are very ornamental birds, 
 however. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They do well, feeding on " soft food," fruit, 
 etc. Only one species, however, the Blue-throated 
 
6 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 Barbet of Eastern Asia (Cyanops asiatica) is at all 
 well known as a cage-bird. This has laid eggs in 
 an aviary in England. It is about the size of a 
 thrush, green with red cap, as well as blue throat. 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Warm regions 
 all round the globe, except the Australian region. 
 There are about a hundred species altogether. In 
 India the most familiar is the Coppersmith 
 (Xantholcema hamatocephala) , a small bird about as 
 large as a sparrow, green with red-and-yellow head 
 and red feet ; it has its name from its metallic 
 note, like the Tinker (Barbatula pusilla). a very 
 small black, yellow, and white species, with red 
 cap, found in South Africa. 
 
 BEE-EATERS (Meropidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds, with long, thin, downwardly- 
 curved bills and short feet with four toes, the three 
 front ones more or less united. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a dove to that of a swallow. 
 
 FORM. Bill long, thin, curved downwards, corner of 
 mouth below eye ; feet with very short shanks, 
 three front toes more or less united, hind-toe 
 smallest ; wings usually long, sometimes medium 
 or short ; tail rather long, square, or slightly forked, 
 usually with middle pair of feathers much the 
 longest. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Brilliant, usually showing much bright 
 green ; blue, red and yellow are also common. No 
 seasonal change or sexual difference, and young 
 not very different from parents. 
 
 YOUNG. Naked and helpless, fed by the parents. 
 
 NEST. A burrow made in the ground, usually in a bank 
 or cliff, by the birds themselves. 
 
 EGGS. Several, roundish, pure glossy white. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 7 
 
 FOOD. Insects, usually captured on the wing ; especi- 
 ally bees and wasps. The indigestible parts are 
 cast up in pellets. 
 
 GAIT. They move about very little, usually sitting 
 quiet on a perch ; on the ground they have a 
 shuffling walk. 
 
 FLIGHT. Very graceful and easy, swift, with frequent 
 intervals of sailing. 
 
 DISPOSITION, HABITS, ETC. They are sociable and 
 lively birds. They dust themselves, and bathe by 
 splashing into water. 
 
 NOTE. A chirp or whistle. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are destructive where 
 bees are kept, but elsewhere are very useful, and 
 are some of the most ornamental birds in existence. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They will live in confinement, but need 
 a great deal of care, and have not bred. The 
 Common Bee- eater (Merops apiaster) is the only 
 species which has been kept in England. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The species 
 of Bee-eaters, of which there are about three 
 dozen, inhabit the warmer parts of the Old 
 World ; one occasionally visits England, the Com- 
 mon Bee-eater (Merops apiaster}, of Southern 
 Europe, a migratory species ; the small Green 
 Bee-eater (M. viridis), is one of the most familiar 
 birds in India, and is there commonly called 
 " Flycatcher." It is the most widely spread of 
 the family, ranging from North-East Africa to 
 . Cochin China. The large red species Merops 
 nubicus is well known in Africa, and locally called 
 " Fire-bird." 
 
8 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 BUSTARDS (Otididce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Large tall ground-birds, with long neck, 
 short bill, and three very short toes only. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a pheasant to larger than a swan. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, somewhat fowl- or pigeon-like in 
 shape, with corner of mouth coming below eye ; 
 feet with shanks medium or long, no hind-toe, the 
 very short front toes slightly webbed at the base ; 
 wings large and broad ; tail short, often carried 
 raised and folded as in a common fowl ; head 
 small, neck long, body broad and heavy-looking, 
 with very flat back, carried horizontally. 
 
 PLUMAGE, COLOURATION, ETC. General colour light- 
 brown, more or less strongly pencilled with black, 
 and varied with white ; down at base of feathers 
 pink ; males often mostly black in breeding season. 
 Ornamental plumes about head and neck are 
 common. The fledged young resemble the adult 
 females. The female is in some species larger 
 than the male, but usually much smaller. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy and active, with mottled protective 
 colouration. 
 
 NEST. None, the eggs being laid on the bare ground. 
 
 EGGS. Two to five ; spotted on a greenish or brownish 
 ground. 
 
 INCUBATION. About a month in the Great Bustard. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Very elaborate, and varied according to 
 species ; the males often distend the throat to a 
 remarkable extent. 
 
 FOOD. Herbage and insects, etc., but not grain. They 
 rarely drink. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or a very quick run. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy and powerful, performed by con- 
 tinued flappings, slow in the large species and more 
 rapid in the smaller. Some of the latter play 
 about on the wing. 
 
THE! WORLD'S BIRDS. 9 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Nervous, but at times 
 aggressive in the case of large males. They do 
 not bathe, but dust themselves. They are very 
 wary. 
 
 NOTE. A croak, cackle, or boom. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Some occasionally injure crops, 
 but as a rule they are beneficial, and are most 
 excellent sporting birds, being hard to bag and good 
 eating. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They are not often kept, and their ner- 
 vousness gives trouble. They have not bred. 
 The European Great Bustard (Otis tarda) has done 
 best in captivity, and has laid. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The Bustards 
 number about thirty species, inhabiting tem- 
 perate and warm parts of the Old World, usually 
 in dry open country. Most of the species are 
 African, and there are none between India and 
 Australia yet the Great Indian Bustard (Eupo- 
 dotis edwardsi] and the one Australian species 
 (E. australis) are almost identical ; the latter bird 
 is known in its own country as the " Plains Tur- 
 key." The Paauw (Eupodotis kori), the largest 
 flying bird, is also a South African Bustard of 
 this group. The Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) 
 is a well-known species, in which the male is black 
 on the head, neck and lower parts ; and the Knor- 
 haan (Compsotis afra), in which the male is also 
 largely black, is a well-known African species. 
 
10 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 QARIAMAS (Cariamida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Long-legged birds, with short curved bill, 
 short wings, and long tail. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a common heron or rather less. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, curved, with basal nostrils and 
 corner of mouth below front of eye ; legs long, 
 bare above hock, with three short toes, webbed 
 at the base, in front, and a very short, elevated, 
 useless hind-toe ; wings short and rounded, tail 
 long and rounded. 
 
 PLUMAGE, ETC. Loose and soft, finely pencilled, grey 
 or brown in colour, wing-primaries conspicuously 
 banded. No sex-difference, young like adults. 
 
 YOUNG. Hatched downy, the down being variegated. 
 
 NEST. Open, in a tree or low bush, or on the ground. 
 
 EGGS. Two ; pale, with reddish spots. 
 
 COURTSHIP. In the Common Qariama, said to be like 
 that of a bustard. 
 
 FOOD. Chiefly animal insects, mice, etc., with some 
 berries. In feeding, they hold a large object down 
 with one foot while tearing it. They kill prey by 
 seizing it with the bill and dashing it down. 
 
 GAIT. A walk ; they can also run rapidly. 
 
 FLIGHT. Not long sustained. They seldom fly except 
 up to a perch. 
 
 NOTE. A repeated scream, uttered with the head 
 thrown back. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are courageous and 
 become very tame. They do not bathe, but dust 
 themselves, and have a curious habit of lying over 
 on the side or even back, like quadrupeds. Al- 
 though spending most of their time on the ground, 
 they roost on a perch at night. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are useful vermin- 
 destroyers. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They do well in captivity, feeding on raw 
 
Photo copyright by W. S. Berridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 Common Cariama (Cariama cristatd). (Seep, n.) 
 
 The curious erect crest is not found in the Chunga, the only other species. 
 
 [To face p, 10. 
 
Photo copyright by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 
 Emu {Dromceeus novce hollandice). 
 
 (Seep. 12.) 
 
 Jhe wings, as the photo shows, are so inconspicuous that the bird seems 
 as if it had none. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. II 
 
 meat, etc. They have laid and hatched young in 
 the London Zoological Gardens. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION. South America. Two species only, 
 the Common Cariama (Cariama cristata], of Brazil 
 and Paraguay, brown, with red bill and legs, and 
 the Chunga, or Burmeister's Qariama, of Argentina 
 (Chunga burmeisteri), smaller and greyer, with 
 bill and legs black. 
 
 CASSOWARIES (Casuariidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Large running flightless birds, with three 
 toes and very small wings. 
 
 SIZE. About five feet high, and six in length. Not 
 very much variation. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, with central nostrils and gape to 
 beneath centre of eye ; feet with shanks stout, 
 toes three, with no basal web ; no hind-toe. 
 Wings excessively small and useless, not flexed 
 in the Emus, with one claw ; in the Cassowary 
 flexed at the elbow, fore-arm and hand directed 
 downwards ; tail well-plumed but inconspicuous. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Very hairy-looking, being much decomposed 
 and stiff-fibred, with the after-shaft as long as 
 the main-shaft, making the feathers look double. 
 Wing-quills wanting, or rudimentary. No sex- 
 difference in colour, but the female larger. 
 
 YOUNG. Active and feeding themselves ; down hairy- 
 looking, marked with numerous light and dark 
 longitudinal stripes. 
 
 NEST. A hollow on the ground. 
 
 EGGS. Numerous ; green dark in Emu, light in 
 Cassowaries oval, with a peculiar granulated 
 surface. 
 
 INCUBATION. Seven to nine weeks, the male only 
 sitting. 
 
12 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 FOOD. Chiefly vegetable, herbage, fruit, etc. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run, often very rapid. They swim 
 well and readily. 
 
 NOTE. A boom or prolonged guttural sound. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. These birds are 
 intelligent, and have considerable courage and 
 inquisitiveness. The foot is used in righting. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. There is not much to be said on 
 this head ; the skins are useful as rugs. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. The birds of this family do well in 
 captivity ; they have bred, and Emus, at any rate, 
 have reared their young frequently. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The family 
 falls into two sections the Cassowaries proper, 
 with a helmet on the bare head when adult, with 
 spine-like (secondary) quills in the wing, and with 
 the claw of the inner toe enlarged and spike-like. 
 They are black when adult, chestnut in first plu- 
 mage. They inhabit the Papuan Islands, except 
 one found in North Australia, and live in forests ; 
 there are about a dozen species, chiefly distinguished 
 by the colours of the brilliant bare skin of the 
 head and neck, which is generally produced into 
 wattles. The best known is the Common 
 Cassowary (Casuarius galeatus). 
 
 Emus have the head feathered with no helmet, 
 and no spine-like secondary quills or enlargement of 
 the inner claw. They inhabit open plains. Only 
 one species, the speckled-grey Common Emu 
 (Dromaeus novce-hollandia) is living, and is well 
 known in Australia. The Dwarf Black Emu (D. 
 peroni), of Kangaroo Island, has, however, only 
 become extinct within the last hundred years. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 13 
 
 CORMORANTS (Phalacrocoracida}. 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Diving-birds with all the four toes webbed 
 and moderate wings. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a goose to that of a jackdaw. 
 
 FORM. Bill, medium to short, with the tip hooked, 
 except in the Darters, covering divided by grooves, 
 nostrils nearly obsolete ; feet with short laterally 
 flattened shanks, and all four toes webbed, the first 
 pointing backwards as usual, and not forwards as 
 often stated ; wings moderate ; tail moderate or 
 long. Neck and body long, thighs prominent. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering peculiarly 
 short on the lower back, usually mostly black 
 or black-and-white, in the adults, and brown in the 
 young ; hardly ever a sexual difference, but usually 
 some seasonal change. Face always bare. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless and naked at first, then clothed with 
 down, except the front of the head, which remains 
 bare ; down black in Cormorants, white in Darters. 
 They fledge evenly, like other nestlings. When 
 being fed they thrust their heads down the parents' 
 throats. 
 
 NEST. A collection of sticks, weed, etc^ placed on 
 rocks, trees, reeds, or the ground. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; pale blue or green, overlaid by a white 
 chalky coating. 
 
 INCUBATION. About a month. 
 
 COURTSHIP. In the case of the Common Cormorant, 
 the male bends down his bill, expands his throat, 
 half opens his wings, and hops about the female. 
 
 FOOD. Fish and other aquatic animals obtained by 
 diving. 
 
 GAIT. A walk, not so awkward as often represented. 
 Cormorants stand and move semi-erect, but Darters 
 walk with the body horizontal. Most perch 
 freely, and jump about among boughs with con- 
 
14 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 siderable ease. In the water they swim low, with 
 the tail awash, the Darters only showing head 
 and neck ; they dive most excellently. 
 
 FLIGHT. Direct and powerful, much like a duck's, but 
 with some sailing intervals ; in starting off the 
 water they rise heavily and strike it with both feet 
 together, not running on it like some ducks. Cor- 
 morants extend the whole neck in flight ; Darters 
 carry it semi-retracted ; both extend the feet. 
 
 NOTE. Harsh and croaking ; but they are not noisy 
 birds. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are rather sociable 
 when breeding, but quarrelsome ; fierce, wary and 
 intelligent ; they spend little time in the water 
 when not fishing, and are fond of sitting perched 
 with outspread wings when first leaving it. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Cormorants are destructive 
 where the fresh -water fish are of value ; they have 
 locally some value as articles of food and guano - 
 producers. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. Cormorants are easily kept, and the com- 
 mon European species (Phalacrocorax carbo) has 
 bred ; in China it is domesticated, being regularly 
 bred, the young reared by hand after hatching 
 under hens, and trained to catch fish as a source of 
 profit. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. There are 
 three dozen species of Cormorants and three of 
 the very long-necked straight-billed Darters 
 (Plotus) . The latter are confined to warm climates ; 
 one inhabits Africa and Asia Minor, one Southern 
 Asia, one Australia, and one tropical America. 
 The first three are all much alike, and the Indian 
 species is well known as " Snake-bird " ; the 
 American, among other differences, has a pale 
 tip to the tail. All are arboreal fresh-water 
 birds. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 15 
 
 The distribution of the Cormorants is almost 
 world-wide, but is very curious. Our familiar 
 species is found almost everywhere and breeds in 
 any climate. The common Cormorant of the 
 warm parts of Asia is the smallest of all, the black 
 Phalacrocorax javanicus, a fresh-water bird. New 
 Zealand has no less than fifteen species, sea and 
 inland, in spite of a very limited variety of fresh- 
 water fish. In this colony the birds are called 
 Shags. Much of South America, on the other hand, 
 in spite of the great water area and fish-supply, 
 has only the one kind, P. vigua. 
 
 COURSERS (Glareolidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Plover-like birds, with corner of mouth 
 extending back beyond forehead, and two outer toes 
 only webbed at the base. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a dove to that of a thrush. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, generally curved in profile, with 
 corner of mouth half-way to eye ; feet with moderate 
 or long shanks, two outer front toes with a short 
 web at the base, the claw of middle toe toothed on 
 the inside ; hind-toe small or wanting. Wings 
 moderate or very long ; tail short or long. Head 
 rather large, and general appearance plover-like. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Colour much as in many 
 plovers, brown, drab, or grey, with white below ; 
 wing-lining often conspicuously contrasted. No 
 sex- difference or seasonal change ; young mottled 
 with buff in first plumage. 
 
 YOUNG. Active and downy, the down finely speckled. 
 
 NEST. A mere " scrape " on the ground. 
 
 EGGS. Three ; spotted as in plovers, but more oval 
 and less pear-shaped. 
 
 INCUBATION. About three weeks. 
 
16 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 FOOD. Insects, etc. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run. 
 
 FLIGHT. Rapid and easy in Coursers, much as in 
 plovers ; in Pratincoles slow, but graceful and 
 active, as in terns or small gulls. 
 
 NOTE. Harsh and rattling. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. The Coursers 
 are solitary ground-birds ; the Pratincoles are 
 social, and catch most of their food on the wing, 
 like swallows, which they resemble in general 
 form, except for the feet, whence the name 
 " Swallow-plovers " often applied to them. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are valuable insect- 
 destroyers, especially the Pratincoles, which are 
 much esteemed at the Cape for their services in 
 eating locusts, these insects being systematically 
 pursued by them, whence they are called " Locust- 
 birds." 
 
 CAPTIVITY. A few of both groups have been kept, 
 and the Common Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) 
 has hatched young in the London Zoological 
 Gardens. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. These birds, 
 numbering about two dozen species, inhabit 
 the warm and temperate regions of the Old 
 World, the northern ones migrating south in 
 winter. The Cream-coloured Courser (Cursorius 
 isabellinus) of the Mediterranean region ranges east 
 to India, and has occurred in England, as has the 
 Common Pratincole (Glareola pratincola). The 
 Black-backed Courser (Pluvianus agyptius) is the 
 celebrated trochilus of Herodotus, who was the 
 first to record its friendship with the crocodile, 
 the mouth of which reptile it is said to free of 
 leeches. 
 
Crocodile-bird (Plumanus icgyptius). (See p. 16.) 
 This Courser (Pluvianus cegyptius) is very delicately coloured, French 
 grey above and buff below, with white eyebrows. 
 
 Photos copyright by W, S. Berridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 Hen Purple Sugar-bird (Ccereba ccerulea). (Seep. 114.) 
 In the position of repose shown in this photograph the characteristic 
 
 slim shape is of course not noticeable. \To Jace p. 16. 
 
o 
 
 ~io 
 
 ^ s *> 
 
 s 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 17 
 
 CRAB-PLOVER (Dromadidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. A pied plover-like bird, with crow-like 
 
 bill and half-webbed feet. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a crow, but higher on the legs. 
 FORM. Bill straight, stout, of medium length, corner 
 
 of mouth reaching half-way to eye ; feet with long 
 
 shanks, three front toes webbed half-way from 
 
 base, hind-toe fairly developed, touching the 
 
 ground at tip. Head large, neck medium ; wings 
 
 medium and pointed ; tail short. 
 PLUMAGE. Pied black and white, the latter colour 
 
 predominating ; sexes alike, young distinguished 
 
 by grey backs and streaked heads. 
 YOUNG. Active ; they are covered with greyish down, 
 
 and are believed to stay in their holes all day, 
 
 and come to feed at night. 
 NEST. A burrow dug in the sand of the seashore, 
 
 curving up towards the end. 
 EGGS. One, white in colour, and very large for the 
 
 size of the bird (about two and a half inches). 
 FOOD. Small shore-animals, especially crabs ; large 
 
 ones are broken up by the bird. 
 GAIT. A walk or run like other plovers ; it often 
 
 wades. 
 FLIGHT. As in most plovers, by rapid beats of the 
 
 wing. 
 
 NOTE. A low and rather musical call. 
 HABITS. Haunts the seashore and salt lakes, usually 
 
 in flocks. 
 CAPTIVITY. This bird has never been kept in captivity, 
 
 so far as I know. 
 DISTRIBUTION. The single known species (Dromas 
 
 ardeola) inhabits the shores of the Eastern seas 
 
 from Aden to the Andamans. 
 
18 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 CRANES (Gruida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Very tall ground and marsh birds, with 
 nostrils in centre of bill and small useless hind- 
 toe. 
 
 SIZE. From the size of a heron to about five feet 
 high. 
 
 FORM. Bill straight, medium to long, with nostrils 
 situated about in the centre ; corner of mouth 
 below forehead ; thighs bare above hocks ; feet 
 with long shanks and three toes in front, the two 
 outer with a short web at the base, the hinder 
 small, useless, not reaching the ground ; wings 
 large and broad, inner secondaries long or very 
 long, covering primaries and tail in repose ; tail 
 short and square. Head small, neck long, body 
 light. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Close and often pow- 
 dery, showing generally only grey, black, and 
 white in large masses. No seasonal change or 
 sexual difference, but fledged young much browner 
 than adults, and with down where these, as usually 
 is the case, have naked skin on head. 
 
 YOUNG. Active, but at first taking food from the 
 bills of the parents ; clad in uniform cinnamon- 
 coloured fluffy down. The young Stanley Crane 
 (Anthropoides paradisea) has grey down. 
 
 EGGS. Two or three ; usually pale, with dark blotches. 
 
 NEST. A mass of rushes, etc., on the ground or piled 
 up in shallow water. 
 
 INCUBATION. About a month. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Very elaborate, performed by dancing, 
 bowing, and posturing with expanded wings. 
 Some can also raise the inner quills in the closed 
 wings. 
 
 FOOD. Herbage, roots, and grain, supplemented by 
 insects and other small life. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 19 
 
 GAIT. Usually a slow^ dignified walk, but they can 
 run fairly well. Few species perch only the 
 Crowned Cranes (Balearica). They can swim on 
 occasion, and are fond of wading. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy, but powerful ; they soar with ease 
 and do this for pleasure. They keep both neck 
 and legs extended in flight. 
 
 NOTE. A loud trumpeting, or hollow booming or 
 hooting. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Playful and sociable ; 
 but they separate into pairs in the breeding season 
 and are then often savage. They are highly wary 
 and very intelligent, and very active, unlike 
 herons. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Most are very destructive to 
 corn and other crops, but are also good eating. 
 Being hard to get near, they are considered good 
 sporting birds. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They thrive admirably, and some have 
 bred, the Manchurian Crane (Grus japonensis) and 
 Demoiselle (Anthropoides virgo) being the most 
 inclined to breed in captivity. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Cranes are 
 found in most of the Old World and North 
 America, the northern species going south in 
 winter. They are only found in open country 
 and usually near water. There are only about 
 sixteen species. The best -known generally is 
 probably the above-mentioned East Asiatic 
 Manchurian Crane, as it is such a favourite in 
 Japanese art ; it is one of the largest species, 
 white with black wing-plumes, grey neck and bare 
 red crown. The Common Crane of Europe and 
 Asia (Grus grus) is a bird of similar type, but 
 much smaller and nearly all grey. The American 
 Sand-hill Crane (G. canadensis) is also a grey bird 
 of medium size for a Crane, with the head bare 
 
 2* 
 
20 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 and red down to the eyes, but short wing-plumes. 
 The Australian Crane or Native Companion 
 (Antigone australasiana) is grey, with a red bare 
 head, and of large size, with dark legs, while the 
 Indian Sarus (Antigone collaris), coloured in much 
 the same way, has the upper neck bare as well 
 as the head, and pink legs, while larger than the 
 Manchurian. 
 
 The Crowned Cranes (Balearica) are African, both 
 distinguished by the plush-like black frontal tuft 
 and full crest of yellow bristles ; the southern 
 kind (B. regulorum) being much paler grey than 
 the northern (B. pavonina). 
 
 CUCKOOS (Cuculidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Tree-birds, with pair-toed feet, the front 
 toes with a short web at the base ; and, bill with the 
 nostrils placed close to the edge of upper jaw. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a sparrow to that of a raven. 
 
 FORM. Bill of moderate length, but varying in thick- 
 ness, generally curved in profile, with nostril 
 nearer edge of jaw than ridge, and corner of mouth 
 below eye ; feet with short or medium shanks, with 
 four toes, fourth turned back as well as first, the 
 two front toes webbed at the base ; wings short to 
 long ; tail usually long and rounded. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Colouring variable, but 
 seldom brilliant ; often much like that of birds of 
 prey, with long thigh -plumes like these ; sexes 
 usually alike, but young generally very different ; 
 no seasonal change. Feathering in Bush-Cuckoos 
 often peculiarly coarse and " wiry." 
 
 YOUNG. Naked, or with very scanty hair-like down, 
 and helpless ; in parasitic forms they are, of course, 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 21 
 
 fed by the foster-parents, and often eject the young 
 of these. 
 
 NEST. In non-parasitic forms rather rough, composed 
 of sticks, coarse grass, etc. ; in some cases open, 
 in others domed. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; varying in colour. In parasitic forms 
 they often resemble those of the host, and are 
 often spotted ; in non-parasitic forms plain white 
 or blue is the rule. 
 
 INCUBATION. About a fortnight, in the common 
 European Cuckoo. 
 
 FOOD. Chiefly insects, or other small animals a few 
 feed chiefly or partially on fruit. They are re- 
 markable for being able to devour what other 
 birds usually refuse, such as hairy caterpillars and 
 toads. 
 
 GAIT. In the short-legged tree-haunting forms an 
 awkward hop ; in the strong-legged running kinds 
 an active walk or run. All perch freely. 
 
 FLIGHT. In the long-winged tree-haunting kinds swift 
 and elegant, with rapid action of the wings ; these 
 often catch prey on the wing. In the short-winged 
 kinds slow, heavy, and low, and not continued 
 far. The feet are extended behind in flight. 
 
 NOTE. Generally peculiar and characteristic, and 
 often articulate in character, varying much in 
 different species. Our bird is the only one which 
 cries " cuckoo " ; several have notes running up 
 the scale. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Cuckoos are usually greedy 
 and unsocial birds, but probably have a good deal 
 of intelligence ; they are easily tamed. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Their destruction of injurious 
 insects, etc., makes them some of the most valuable 
 and important of birds. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. Only one species, the fruit-eating Koel 
 (Eudynamis honorata),is commonly kept, and that 
 
22 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 chiefly in India ; but the Guira (Guira guira) of 
 South America has even laid and hatched young 
 in the London Zoological Gardens. They are easy 
 enough to rear, but the parasitic forms are slow in 
 learning to feed themselves. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Cuckoos, of 
 which there are about a hundred and sixty species, 
 are found all over the world, but the great majority 
 are tropical ; those inhabiting temperate climates 
 migrate south in autumn, and thus it comes to pass 
 that our familiar species (Cuculus canorus) is at 
 one time or another to be found over most of 
 the Old World.- There are two well-marked types 
 in the family : first, the long-winged, short-legged 
 Tree-Cuckoos, which are parasitic in the Old World ; 
 in the New World the species of this type are not 
 parasitic ; secondly, the short-winged, strong- 
 legged Bush-Cuckoos, found in both worlds, but 
 only in hot climates, and never parasitic in either 
 hemisphere. 
 
 The best known of the latter group are the " Crow 
 Pheasant " (Centropus sinensis) of India, a black 
 bird of the size and shape of a magpie, with chestnut 
 wings ; the Guira, or " White Ani," of South 
 America (Guira guira), pale streaky buff, with a 
 white tail crossed by a black bar, and the cele- 
 brated " Road-runner " of Mexico and California, 
 deep bronze-green, with white-edged plumage. 
 
 Of the Tree-Cuckoos, our own species is, of course, 
 far the most familiar ; but in India the above- 
 mentioned Koel, black in the male and variegated in 
 the female, and parasitic on crows, is very well- 
 known, as also the " Brain-fever bird " (Hiero- 
 coccyx varius), which, in both young and adult 
 plumages, most closely resembles the Shikra or 
 Indian sparrow-hawk (Astur badius) ; this para- 
 sitizes various babbling-thrushes. In North 
 
I 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 33 
 
 America the Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos 
 (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus and C. americanus) are 
 familiar birds ; they build open twig -nests and 
 lay blue eggs, but, like our species, which they do 
 not equal in size, eat hairy caterpillars. In 
 colour they are light drab above and white below. 
 In New Zealand there are two migratory species, 
 the small bronze-green Chalcococcyx lucidus and 
 the long-tailed Urodynamis taitensis, coloured 
 something like a hen kestrel, which is beginning 
 to parasitize the acclimatized English birds as well 
 as native species. 
 
 CURASSOWS (Cracida}. 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Large fowl-like birds, with long flat tails, 
 well developed hind-toe t and all front toes connected 
 at base by web. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a hen turkey to that of a bantam; 
 
 FORM. Bill short, sometimes stout, often enlarged at 
 base of forehead. Feet with medium shanks and 
 four toes, the hinder well developed and set low,- 
 the front ones connected by webs at base, the claws 
 curved. Wings short and rounded ; tail long, 
 rounded, flat, but with the feathers slightly arching 
 horizontally. Head usually crested. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Generally dark, bronzed, brown, or black; 
 Sometimes a sex-difference, the females in this case 
 often barred ; but no seasonal change. Young like 
 adult females. 
 
 YOUNG. Active, and feeding themselves ; with striped 
 down at first ; soon fledging, and following their 
 parents in the trees. 
 
 NEST. A platform of sticks in a tree ; the male aids 
 in construction. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; spotless white and rough-shelled. 
 
 <^\ 
 \ 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
24 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 INCUBATION. About a month. 
 
 COURTSHIP. The male leans his head back and raises 
 his tail, but does not spread it. 
 
 FOOD. Leaves, fruit, nuts, insects, etc. They feed 
 partly in the trees, and partly on the ground, where 
 they scratch like fowls. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run ; they are very active among the 
 boughs. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy and direct ; not protracted very far. 
 
 NOTE. A whistle or cackle. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Intelligent and wary ; de- 
 cidedly inclined to be spiteful. They bite hard, 
 besides striking with the feet. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Their flesh is good eating, and 
 they are therefore esteemed as game. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They do well, but seldom breed ; they are 
 very tame nevertheless. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The species 
 of this family about fifty are found in warm 
 parts of America only, in wooded country. There 
 are three sub-families : the Curassows (Cracince), 
 with stout bills, and all of large size ; the Derbian 
 Curassow (Oreophasince), with medium bill and 
 a stout horn on the forehead ; and the Guans 
 (Penelopina), with slight bills and no protuberance 
 thereon. The Curassows are often seen in cap- 
 tivity in menageries, and several are familiar, 
 especially the Globose Curassow (Crax alector), 
 black in the male, with a yellow knob on the bill ; 
 brown in the female ; of the Guans one, the 
 Chacalacca (Ortalis vetula), a drab bird of the size 
 of a hen pheasant, is well known in Mexico and 
 Texas. The family is closely allied to the game- 
 birds. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 35 
 
 DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY (Falconidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds, with rather short hooked 
 beaks with a cere at base, and the two outer front 
 toes united by web at the base. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a sparrow to larger than a goose. 
 
 FORM. Bill medium or short, strongly hooked, often 
 toothed at the tip, base softer and waxy-looking 
 (the cere), corner of mouth reaching nearly or quite 
 below eye ; feet with shanks medium or short, 
 often feathered ; toes, three in front, the outer two 
 usually united by a web at the base, one behind, 
 all armed with strong claws, often very long and 
 sharp ; wings variable, short to very long, rounded 
 or pointed ; tail short to long, usually nearly 
 square, but sometimes rounded, wedge-shaped, 
 or forked. Head usually large and broad, neck 
 generally short, body light, with legs and thighs 
 prominent and clothed with long feathers. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Plumage never brilliant, 
 greys and browns predominating ; many species 
 marked with transverse bars in some parts ; sexes 
 seldom different in colour, though females are gener- 
 ally distinguishable by their superior size. No 
 seasonal change, but young plumage generally 
 different from that of adults. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless, and fed by parents, clothed in 
 fluffy down, which generally is pale usually white 
 without markings. 
 
 NEST. An open structure of sticks, placed on trees, 
 rocks, or the ground. A few breed in holes in 
 trees, etc. 
 
 EGGS. One, two, or several ; white or blotched with 
 red. 
 
 INCUBATION. Three to four weeks. 
 
 COURTSHIP. The male often gives the female food, but 
 I have never seen any display. 
 
26 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 FOOD. Almost exclusively animal, the larger species 
 preying more on vertebrates, the smaller more on 
 insects. Many are carrion-feeders. They hold 
 their prey in their feet when feeding, and cast pellets 
 of bones, feathers, hair, etc. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run, usually rather awkward. They 
 also hop at times, but this is not their ordinary 
 gait. 
 
 FLIGHT. Powerful, but varying in speed ; there is 
 usually great power of gliding or soaring, especially 
 in carrion-feeders. They generally seize and carry 
 their prey in their feet, which are stretched out 
 behind in flight, the neck being drawn in. 
 
 NOTE. Usually harsh, a yelp or scream, sometimes 
 a whistle. They are noisy when pairing, but usually 
 quiet at other times. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are more or less fierce, 
 but many less so than might be supposed, being 
 often inoffensive unless urged by hunger ; but few 
 are sociable ; chiefly carrion- or insect-feeders. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. In spite of the bad name they 
 have they are generally useful birds, by destroying 
 vermin ; the Goshawks and Sparrow-hawks 
 (Accipiter, Astur) seem almost the only forms 
 which are mainly noxious. Some are useful 
 scavengers. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. Almost all bear this well, and several are, 
 and long have been, used in hunting ; but they 
 seldom breed in captivity. The chief species used 
 in falconry are the Peregrine and Goshawk. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Some or 
 other of the species of this family, about four 
 hundred and fifty in number, are found every- 
 where, many being migratory. Two main groups 
 seem recognizable : the Vultures, always large, 
 and usually bald or downy on top of the head, 
 and with weaker hind-toes ; these are confined 
 
Photo copyright by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 
 Saker Falcon (Falco sacer). (Seep, 27.) 
 This species retains through life the streaked breast which in so 
 
 many Hawks becomes barred. [To face p. 26. 
 
Photo copyright by IV. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 
 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). 
 
 (See'p. 28.) 
 
 The Osprey is very simply coloured, its hues being dark brown and white, 
 with the feet and cere pale blue or greenish. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 2 7 
 
 to the Old World in temperate and tropical regions, 
 but do not occur in Australia ; and the true 
 Eagles, Buzzards, Hawks, Falcons, etc., which 
 cannot very well be divided into sub-divisions, 
 and some or other of which may be found every- 
 where. 
 
 In dry regions in the Old World, the small white 
 Scavenger Vultures (Neophron percnopterus and N. 
 ginginianus) two scarcely separable races are the 
 most familiar, haunting towns and villages. They 
 are driven off from carcases by the large Griffons 
 (Gyps) of various species and their allies. The 
 black Bengal Vulture (Pseudogyps bengalensis) is 
 the commonest of this type in India. The Lam- 
 mergeier, or Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), 
 a very large bird with long tail, feathered head, 
 and bearded chin, is found in mountainous regions 
 all across the Old World, and is one of the links 
 between Vultures and Eagles ; in the Himalayas it 
 is called Golden Eagle. The true Golden Eagle 
 (Aquila chrysaetus) is found all across the northern 
 hemisphere. The best-known North American 
 Eagle is, however, the White-headed Sea-Eagle 
 (Haliaetus leucocephalus) with tail as well as head 
 white. No typical Eagles inhabit South America, 
 but there is one, the Wedge-tailed Eagle (Uroaetus 
 audax) in Australia, very dark in colour and slender 
 in form. 
 
 Falcons, with dark eyes and long wings, such 
 as the Saker illustrated, occur almost everywhere, 
 our well-known Peregrine (F. peregrinus) being 
 of nearly world- wide range ; our Kestrel (Tin- 
 nunculus alaudarius) is replaced by very similar 
 species in South Africa and Australia. The so- 
 called Sparrow-hawk of America (T. sparverius) 
 is a small and very pretty Kestrel. The true 
 Sparrow-hawks (Accipiter) and the nearly-allied 
 
28 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 but larger Goshawks (Astur) with light-coloured 
 eyes and short wings, have as wide a distribution as 
 the Falcons. 
 
 The scavenging Kites (Milvus) distinguished by 
 their forked tails, are most familiar birds even in 
 towns in the East, and very tame, especially 
 the Yellow-billed (M. cegyptius) in Africa and the 
 Pariah (M. govinda) in India ; the latter bird is 
 literally as abundant as a sparrow in some places. 
 In Eastern harbours the beautiful bay-and-white 
 Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) is a common 
 object and is found about water inland ; it is one 
 of the conspicuous birds of India. This is not 
 fork- tailed. The Harriers, with light eyes and 
 long wings, tail and legs, are ground-breeding 
 hawks of very wide range, and one of them (Circus 
 gouldi) is the common hawk of New Zealand. 
 
 The widely-spread Caracara (Polyborus brasi- 
 liensis) of South America is typical of a group of 
 carrion-hawks with very crow-like habits ; it is 
 about as big as a raven, dark above, with whitish 
 neck and under surface, the latter barred with 
 black, the bill pale blue-grey. 
 
 The Chimango (Ibycter chimango) is an allied 
 but smaller bird, light brown, and of the size of 
 a rook. The so-called Jack-rook of the Falk- 
 lands (Ibycter australis) is a hawk of this group, 
 nearly as big as the Caracara, and mostly black ; 
 it has a cawing note. 
 
 The fish-eating Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), found 
 nearly all over the world, is sometimes placed in a 
 distinct family, but on slight grounds ; it has, 
 like some others (Elanus, Polioaetus), no web at the 
 base of the toes, and the young have the down 
 variegated. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 29 
 
 DIVERS (Colymbida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Diving birds with webbed four-toed feet and 
 a very short tail. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a duck to that of a goose, ap- 
 proximately. 
 
 FORM. Bill straight, rather long, of medium thickness ; 
 corner of mouth below front of eye. Feet at end 
 of body, three front toes, of which the outer is 
 longest, webbed ; hind-toe small. Wings of medium 
 length, narrow ; body and neck medium ; tail very 
 short, but with true quills. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Normal, not silky as in grebes ; dark above, 
 pure white below. No sexual difference, but a 
 seasonal change. Young like adults in winter 
 dress. 
 
 YOUNG. Active, but less so than young ducks. Covered 
 with dark down. 
 
 NEST. A collection of vegetable matter on the shore 
 close to the water. 
 
 EGGS. Two only ; oval, olive, with dark markings. 
 
 INCUBATION. Four weeks. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Said to be conducted on the wing. 
 
 FOOD. Fish and other aquatic animals. 
 
 GAIT. On land semi-erect and excessively awkward ; 
 the birds generally object to walking at all, and 
 only push themselves along on their breasts. In 
 the water they float low, and swim and dive with 
 great power, using the legs only, not the wings. 
 
 FLIGHT. Direct, rapid, and strong, performed by con- 
 tinued beats of the wings, with neck and legs out- 
 stretched. They fly more readily than grebes, and 
 often rise high, even in the daytime. 
 
 NOTE. A harsh shriek or howl. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Wary, inquisitive and very 
 courageous, turning even on man when brought to 
 bay. 
 
30 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. There is nothing particular to 
 be recorded on this head, as these birds are not 
 numerous enough to be of any great influence. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. Divers have seldom been kept in captivity, 
 and need much the same treatment as grebes, 
 allowing for their larger size. They have not bred. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Divers are 
 found all round the Northern Hemisphere, this 
 being one of the families characteristic of this 
 region. They breed in fresh water, and are found 
 in winter on the coasts, only migrating south for 
 open water. Only four species are known, all 
 found in both worlds, the Black- and Red-throated 
 (Colymbm arcticus and C. septentrionalis) , the 
 Great Northern (C. glacialis) and the arctic White- 
 billed (C. adamsi). 
 
 DUCKS (Anatidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Four-toed water-fowl with a straight beak 
 toothed or ridged in both jaws. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a turtle-dove upwards ; the tame 
 swan is the largest. 
 
 FORM. Bill of medium length or short, usually broad, 
 covered with skin instead of horn, except at the tip 
 (which forms the so-called "nail") and furnished 
 at the edges with horny ridges or " teeth " ; corner 
 of mouth not reaching further back than forehead ; 
 feet with the shanks of medium length or short, 
 the three front toes usually fully webbed, hind toe 
 usually small and useless ; wings of medium 
 length, or short. Body heavy, neck long or very 
 long ; tail short as a rule, and composed of numerous 
 feathers. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Very sleek, and much 
 varied in colour ; a conspicuous bar on the secondai y 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 3! 
 
 quills (the speculum) is a common ornament. Sexes 
 often very different, in which case the male usually 
 not in South American or Australasian species 
 assumes a plumage more or less resembling that 
 of the female for several weeks after breeding. In 
 moulting, all the quills are usually shed at once. 
 The young resemble the adult female, or have a 
 dress of their own. 
 
 YOUNG. Very active, feeding themselves, and clad in 
 furry-looking down, which is either self-coloured or 
 pied, varying much in different groups. The wing- 
 feathers do not develop till the bird is nearly full 
 sized. 
 
 NEST. A rude collection of vegetable substances, usually 
 lined with the female's own down. It is commonly 
 placed on the ground, sometimes in a burrow, a 
 hole of a tree or rock, or the old nest of some other 
 bird. 
 
 EGGS. Usually several (never less than two) ; without 
 spots, white or pale in hue. 
 
 INCUBATION. From three to six weeks. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Variable ; generally there is bowing or 
 nodding of the head, and more or less raising of the 
 elbows, but the wings are never drooped. 
 
 FOOD. They are very omnivorous birds, most of them 
 subsisting on small forms of animal life, and on 
 land-and-water herbage, grain, etc. Some (Mer- 
 gansers) .are almost purely animal (fish) feeders, 
 while the Geese are mainly vegetarian. 
 
 GAIT. A swaying walk or " waddle " ; but many can 
 go far and run very well ; the diving species are 
 usually the most awkward on foot. They ah 1 swim, 
 and most dive, some particularly well. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy and direct, by continued beats of the 
 wings ; the neck and legs are outstretched. The 
 large species fly with slower strokes than the small 
 ones. Two species are flightless, or nearly so, 
 
32 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 the Loggerhead (Tachyeres cinereus) and the Auck- 
 land Island Teal (Nesonetta aucklandica) . 
 
 NOTE. Not usually musical, a quack, croak, or cackle ; 
 they hiss when enraged in many cases. The male 
 often has a much weaker note than the female. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Usually peaceable and fairly 
 intelligent ; very wary if persecuted. In fighting 
 they use both wings and bill. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. All appear to be edible, and 
 many are excellent food, some being reputed as 
 great delicacies. Their down and feathers are also 
 valuable. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They bear captivity very well and four 
 species are completely domesticated, the Common 
 Duck (Anas boscas), Muscovy Duck (Cairina 
 moschata), Chinese Goose (Cygnopsis cygnoides) and 
 Common Goose (Anser ferus), while several other 
 species of the family are commonly kept and bred 
 for ornament, such as the Mute Swan (Cygnus olor). 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Birds of this 
 family, which numbers about two hundred 
 species, are found everywhere, but most nume- 
 rously in temperate and cold climates ; they are 
 migratory in many cases. They usually affect open 
 country, and the majority prefer fresh water. Some 
 of the geese, however, very rarely swim at all. 
 
 The ordinary division into Swans, Geese, Ducks, 
 and Mergansers, seems scarcely tenable, though 
 convenient, as the relationships of all these groups 
 are very close. The Magpie Goose of Australia 
 (Anser anas melanoleucus) , however, seems to de- 
 serve to rank as a sub-family by itself, as it differs 
 from all the rest in having its front toes only 
 webbed at the base, and the hind-toe well de- 
 veloped and resting on the ground, while it also 
 moults its quills gradually, not all at once like 
 the rest. The most widely familiar species is the 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 33 
 
 Common Duck or Mallard (Anas boscas), found all 
 round the northern hemisphere in a wild state, 
 and in most countries domesticated. The other 
 domestic duck, the Muscovy, is a common wild 
 bird in the warm parts of America. The wild 
 representative of the Mallard in Australasia is the 
 Grey Duck (Anas super ciliosa), a dark-brown species 
 with the sexes alike and much like the female of 
 the common bird. 
 
 The celebrated Eider-Duck (Somateria mollis- 
 sima) is a northern bird, as are all its allies, and, 
 indeed, most diving ducks. 
 
 The Mandarin Duck of China and Eastern Asia 
 generally (A ex galericulata) is almost as well known 
 by repute on account of the wonderfully diversified 
 plumage of the male, and especially his chestnut 
 ruff and wing-fans ; it is widely kept and often 
 bred in captivity. Its near relative, the Wood- 
 Duck of North America (A. sponsa) is completely 
 domesticated in Europe, and there called the Caro- 
 lina Duck. The Wood-Duck of Australia (Chlamy- 
 dochen jubata), though also a small species, is goose- 
 like in form. These three species are perchers 
 and tree-breeders, as are also the Whistlers or Tree- 
 Ducks (Dendrocycna), long-legged birds of striking 
 but not brilliant colours, which are the charac- 
 teristic ducks of the Tropics. 
 
 The Sheldrakes (Tadorna, Casarca, Chenalopex) 
 are large strikingly-coloured species, with long legs 
 and wings, widely distributed. The New Zealand 
 Sheldrake (Casarca variegata), the only one of this 
 group of ducks with a marked sex-difference, is 
 well known as the Paradise Duck ; the Egyptian 
 Goose (Chenalopex agyptiacus) is well known 
 both in domestication and as a wild bird in Africa. 
 The birds called Sheldrakes in America are really 
 Mergansers (Mergus), saw-billed, fish-eating, diving 
 
 3 
 
34 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 forms, of even wider distribution. Among the 
 ordinary diving Ducks, the Canvas-back of North 
 America (Nyroca vallisneria) is celebrated for the 
 table ; it much resembles our pochard (N. ferina), 
 but is much larger. 
 
 FINFOOTS (Heliornithidcz). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Rail-like water-birds with well-developed 
 tails, short legs, and lobed feet. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a crow to that of a thrush. 
 
 FORM. Bill like that of many rails, compressed, 
 moderate in length, with central nostrils, and corner 
 of mouth half-way to eye ; feet with short shanks, 
 front toes lobed as in a coot, hind-toe fairly 
 developed ; wings short, like those of a rail ; tail 
 well developed. General appearance much like 
 that of a cormorant, except for wings, bill, and 
 lobed toes. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering close, not 
 loose-textured as in rails ; tail stiff in some. 
 Sometimes a sex- difference, but no seasonal change. 
 Feet bright coloured. 
 
 YOUNG. Those of the American Heliornis surinamensis 
 said to be naked and carried under wings of 
 parent. 
 
 FOOD. Fish and other aquatic animals. 
 
 GAIT. In spite of the short legs they move actively 
 on land, standing semi-erect. They swim and 
 dive well, floating low in the water like a cor- 
 morant. 
 
 FLIGHT. Direct, by continuous beats of the wing ; they 
 rise off the water awkwardly. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 35 
 
 DISPOSITION, HABITS, ETC. They are shy and solitary ; 
 very little is known about them, not even their 
 nesting habits. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. The Asiatic species is delicious 
 eating. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. The South American form has been kept 
 in its own country ; and one specimen of the 
 African has reached London alive, brought by 
 Mr. J. D. Hamlyn. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. There are 
 only three species, all found in warm climates : 
 Podica senegalensis, the " Wasser-treter " (Water- 
 treader) of the Boers, of Africa, south of the 
 Sahara ; the rare Heliopais personata, the Masked 
 Finfoot, found from Assam to Sumatra ; and 
 the South American Finfoot above-mentioned, 
 which is much smaller than the other two, and 
 has the toes joined by a web at the base and barred 
 across with black. 
 
 FLAMINGOES (Phoenicopteridce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Tall and very slender waders with webbed 
 feet and short bent-down beak. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a small goose to a duck in the 
 body ; but they are very tall, owing to the length 
 of neck and legs. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, thick, bent down at an angle in 
 the middle, corner of mouth not extending beyond 
 forehead ; upper jaw flattened, lower very deep, 
 so that they recall a box and lid ; the upper is 
 more movable than the lower. Both are fringed 
 with horny ridges and covered with skin instead of 
 horn, except at the tip, as in ducks. Feet with very 
 long shanks ; thighs naked a long way above 
 hocks ; toes three in front, short, webbed ; usually 
 
 3* 
 
36 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 a small, raised, useless hind-toe , but sometimes 
 none. Wings moderate ; tail short. Body small, 
 neck and legs excessively long. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. In adults usually rosy- 
 white ; wings always red with black quills ; young 
 pale drab with darker streaks. A bare space 
 between bill and eye. No sexual difference. All 
 quills shed at once when moulting. 
 
 YOUNG. Active, but fed at first by the parents, who 
 disgorge into their mouths. They are clad in white 
 down and have a straight beak: 
 
 NEST. A rounded lump of mud, projecting from mud 
 or water, scraped up by the birds. They always 
 breed in colonies. 
 
 EGGS. One or two ; bluish-white, with chalky shell. 
 
 INCUBATION. Thirty days or more. 
 
 FOOD. Small aquatic animals and aquatic vegetation ; 
 they feed like ducks, but with head inverted, the 
 upper jaw being used as the lower one is by a 
 duck. 
 
 GAIT. A walk ; they swim fairly well, but slowly, sitting 
 high in the water. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy and direct, with neck and legs out- 
 stretched, and constant flapping. They start awk- 
 wardly by running, and fly in skeins like geese. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Shy but stupid ; essentially 
 gregarious, but constantly quarrelling, though 
 rarely, if ever, actually fighting. 
 
 NOTE. A gaggling cackle, much like that of geese. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. The flesh is edible, and the 
 plumage is used for ornament. As, however, the 
 birds are completely harmless, and exceedingly 
 picturesque, their chief use is in embellishing the 
 landscape. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They live well if allowed constant access 
 to water, and will eat grain like ducks ; they are 
 sometimes sensitive to cold, and in any case are 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 37 
 
 very awkward, not being at home on a slope or on 
 ice. They have never bred. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION. Almost everywhere in temperate or 
 tropical regions, where there are large expanses of 
 shallow water, especially if this is salt. There are, 
 however, no species in the Australian region, and 
 only nine altogether. The best-known are the 
 Common Flamingo (Phoenicopterus antiquorum] of 
 the Old World, and the rather smaller Red 
 Flamingo (P. ruber) of America ; this is of a pale 
 vermilion, and is the only one so coloured. 
 
 FRIGATE-BIRDS (Fregatida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Large sea-birds with long hooked beak, 
 enormous wings, and small feet only partially webbed. 
 
 SIZE. About a yard long. 
 
 FORM. Bill much like that of a cormorant, long, 
 hooked at tip, nostrils in a groove, corner of mouth 
 reaching below eye ; feet with very short feathered 
 shanks, all toes webbed at the base, the first turned 
 backwards ; wings enormous, both long and broad, 
 the pinion-joints in repose projecting beyond 
 breast ; tail long and forked. Body very small. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Dark, black in adult 
 males, in females with white breasts, in the young 
 with head also white. The feathering is like that of 
 birds of prey, not water-fowl. Throat bare, with 
 a dilatable red pouch in males. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless and fed by parents ; clothed in white 
 down; 
 
 NEST. An open platform of twigs, placed on trees, 
 bushes, or rocks. 
 
 EGGS. One ; white in colour. 
 
 COURTSHIP. The male expands his scarlet pouch and 
 droops and spreads his wings. 
 
38 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 FOOD. Surface fish, young turtles, etc. ; they force 
 other sea-fowl to disgorge fish, and devour the 
 young of these, and even each other's offspring. 
 
 GAIT. A very feeble walk ; they usually only perch, 
 and very seldom settle on water, though able to 
 swim. 
 
 FLIGHT. Probably the strongest among birds ; they 
 sail for long periods on motionless wings or execute 
 magnificent swoops ; in flight they carry the neck 
 drawn in. 
 
 NOTE. A scream or a cackling sound. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are thoroughly 
 piratical, but sociable ; they are practically aerial, 
 not aquatic, though always on the sea-coast. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are eaten in some places, 
 and found to be good. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They have not often been kept, but one 
 species (F. aquila) has lived a long time in the 
 London Zoo, though requiring to be fed by hand 
 all the time. In some Pacific islands they are often 
 hand-reared and semi-domesticated, flying at large 
 and coming home to roost. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. Tropical seas, but only 
 breeding locally, on remote islands as a rule. There 
 are only two species, the Large Frigate-Bird 
 (Fregata aquila), widely distributed round the 
 world, and the Small Frigate -Bird (F. ariel), which, 
 in addition to its smaller size, has a white flank- 
 patch in the male, and white collar in the female. 
 It is confined to the Indian and Pacific oceans. 
 
 FROGMOUTHS OR MOREPORKS (Podargida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds, with wide short bills, short 
 wings, and short shanks, with the hinder toe smallest. 
 SIZE. From that of a rook to that of a thrush. 
 
i 
 
 By permission of the Oxford Museum, 
 
 African Fin -foot {Podica senegahnsis). 
 
 (See p. 38.) 
 
 The curiously cormorant-like shape of this bird (Podica senegalensis) 
 contrasts strangely with its typically rail-like bill and lobed toes. 
 
 {To face p. 38. 
 
Photo copyright by W, P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 
 Magpie-Goose (Anseranas melanolenca). (Seep. 32.) 
 The legs of this bird are bright orange, and its face flesh-coloured. 
 
Photo copyright by W. S. Berridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 Morepork, or Australian Frog-mouth (Podargtts cuvieri). 
 
 .(Seep. 39.) 
 
 This bird (Podargus cuvieri) is about the size of a crow ; the large mouth 
 and eyes are well shown in the photograph. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 39 
 
 FORM. Bill short, usually very strong and broad, with 
 gape of mouth wide, corner of mouth under eye ; 
 nostrils slit-like. Feet small, with short shanks, 
 but strong, with first toe smallest and directed 
 backwards as usual, outer front toe turned out 
 at right angles to middle. Wings short, rounded ; 
 tail rather long and rounded. Head and eyes very 
 large and body quite small. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Plain, but finely and 
 minutely mottled, resembling bark, as in night- 
 jars ; general tone greyish or reddish. In some 
 species this difference is sexual, males being grey ; 
 otherwise no sex-difference. " Horns," or ear- 
 tufts, sometimes present. Eyes dark or yellow. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless and covered with white down. 
 
 NEST. An open platform of twigs on a tree, or of bark 
 and down matted together ; sometimes a hole in a 
 tree. 
 
 EGGS. One or two only ; white. 
 
 FOOD. Insects and probably small vertebrates. They, 
 at any rate the common Morepork (Podargus 
 cuvieri), do not cast pellets like owls, though eating 
 birds and mice in captivity. 
 
 GAIT. An awkward owl-like walk or hop. They 
 usually sit across the bough when perching, not 
 along it like nightjars. 
 
 FLIGHT. Soft, as in nightjars, but probably less easy 
 and protracted. 
 
 NOTE. Harsh and peculiar. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. They seem re- 
 markably sluggish, but have very curious ges- 
 tures, and their attitudes often make them appear 
 like stumps of wood ; they are nocturnal, and sleep 
 more soundly by day than most birds of such habit. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. The insect-eating habits of 
 the family must make them very useful. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. The common Australian Morepork (Po- 
 
40 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 dargus cuvieri) does well in captivity, and several 
 have been kept at the London Zoological Gardens, 
 but they usually have to be hand-fed. 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Frogmouths, 
 of which there are about two dozen species, 
 range from Southern India to Australia. The best 
 known is the large greyish " Morepork " above 
 mentioned. The Owlet-Nightjars (Aegotheles), 
 whose weak bills are like those of true nightjars, 
 are the hole-nesting group, while the " eared " 
 species of Batrachostomus build the curious pad- 
 like nests, the Moreporks being stick-nest builders. 
 
 GAME-BIRDS (Phasianidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Ground-birds, with short arched beak and 
 four toes, the hind one notably small and all front 
 ones webbed at base. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a sparrow to that of the Turkey 
 the largest species. 
 
 FORM. Bill short and strong, with arched outlines^ 
 nostrils roofed over on the inner side, and corner 
 of mouth half way to eye ; feet with strong shanks, 
 and three front toes webbed at base, hind-toe 
 much smaller ; spurs on the shanks, generally 
 in the males, are often found in this family, and 
 in this only. Wings short and arched ; tail very 
 variable, usually of numerous feathers. Head 
 small, neck rather long, body heavy. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Prevailing colour of 
 females, and often both sexes, a closely-mottled 
 brown of protective value, varying in pattern ; 
 but many males are brilliant beyond all other 
 birds ; rarely any seasonal change, but young 
 usually resembling adult female at first. Orna- 
 mental plumes, and expansible areas or processes 
 of naked skin about the head, occur frequently. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 41 
 
 YOUNG. Active and downy, the down usually with 
 longitudinal brown and creamy stripes. They 
 run and feed themselves from the first, but are 
 looked after by the hen or both parents. They 
 fledge on the wings first, and can fly in a few days, 
 but they change their chicken quills the first 
 autumn 
 
 NEST. Merely a " scratching " on the ground, lined 
 with a little vegetable rubbish. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; usually plain and pale (but seldom 
 white), but often also more or less spotted. 
 
 INCUBATION. From three weeks to a month, according 
 to the size of the species ; the female is always left 
 to sit by herself. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Elaborate ; the display is usually either 
 frontal, as in the Peacock and Turkey, or lateral, 
 as in the Pheasant, which displays sideways. It 
 varies a great deal in different groups, and the 
 erection or dilatation of naked combs, wattles, 
 eyebrows, etc., is notable. Some Grouse have 
 dilatable neck-sacs. 
 
 FOOD. Seeds, herbage, fruit, insects ; any small edible 
 articles, in fact, though vegetables form the chief 
 source of subsistence. The young are much more 
 insectivorous than the adults. 
 
 GAIT. An active walk or a quick run. Many perch 
 occasionally, especially at night. Some species 
 can swim, the Turkey and Pheasant, for instance. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy and direct, and seldom protracted 
 far ; it is performed either by continuous flapping, 
 or by alternate flapping and sailing. The neck 
 and legs are extended in flight. 
 
 NOTE. Usually harsh, a scream, cackle, or some such 
 sound ; some, however, whistle. The males usually 
 have a very characteristic call or " crow." Many 
 species make a noise with their wings when 
 courting. 
 
42 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. These are not very intelli- 
 gent birds, and the males are intensely quarrelsome 
 in the breeding season ; but, on the whole, they are 
 sociable. They dust themselves instead of bathing, 
 and usually scratch for food. Almost all poly- 
 gamous birds belong to this family. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. This is the most valuable family 
 of birds, their use for food being so well known, 
 while the small species are great destroyers of 
 insects and weed-seeds as, indeed, are the larger, 
 though these may be destructive to crops. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. These birds are easy to keep and breed, 
 and we have several species fully domesticated 
 the Common Fowl, Guinea-Fowl, Turkey and Pea 
 cock, not to mention the Golden and Silver Phea- 
 sants, reared for the last century in captivity, and 
 several less well-known kinds also regularly bred 
 in aviaries. Many are also bred for sport. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The family, 
 which contains nearly four hundred species, as 
 a whole, is found all over the world, but hardly 
 any species except the widely-ranging Common 
 Quail (Coturnix communis) of the Old World is 
 migratory. The various sectional groups, how- 
 ever, have very distinct habitats. The Grouse 
 (Tetraonina), with feathered covering to the 
 nostrils and toes either feathered or fringed at the 
 sides with narrow scales, are confined to and 
 eminently characteristic of the northern parts of 
 the Old World. They are often ranked as a sepa- 
 rate family. The Guinea-fowls are purely African, 
 the Turkeys American, as are also the group of 
 Quails known as Colins, of which the pretty 
 crested Californian Quail (Lophortyx californicus) 
 is a familiar example, and also the Bobwhite 
 (Colinus virginianus], the familiar game-bird of 
 the United States. The Pheasants, Pea-fowl 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 43 
 
 and^ Jungle- fowl are all Asiatic, except the Common 
 Pheasant, which classical legend represents as an 
 introduced bird in Europe, as it probably was. 
 The group of Partridges known as Francolins are 
 chiefly African, but a few Asiatic also. Only 
 Quails and Partridges occur in the Australian 
 region, and not even these in the Pacific islands. 
 Some of the South African Francolins are locally 
 called Pheasants. 
 
 The ancestor of our many breeds of fowls is the 
 Red Jungle-fowl of India and further east (G alias 
 gallus), a bird coloured like the " black-breasted 
 red " breeds ; the Peacock (Pavo cristatus) is prac- 
 tically indistinguishable from its Indian wild 
 ancestor, except when abnormally coloured, having 
 varied but little ; nor have the Turkey (Meleagris 
 gallopavo) of North America, or the Guinea-fowl 
 (Numida meleagris) of West Africa, altered much 
 except in colour. 
 
 The Pheasant, commonly preserved as a game- 
 bird, was originally the West-Asiatic Phasianus 
 colchicits, but this has during the last century been 
 much modified by crossing with the ring-necked 
 Chinese form, P. torquatus ; and now other allied 
 species have been widely intermixed with it. 
 Pheasants of this type are now common, by intro- 
 duction, in North America and New Zealand ; 
 but, naturally, Pea-fowl, Pheasants of all kinds, 
 and Jungle-fowl are Asiatic birds. The Monauls 
 (Lophophorus), notable for their comparatively 
 large bills and short tails and the resplendent 
 metallic plumage of the cocks, inhabit the moun- 
 tains of India and China, as do also, though at a 
 lower elevation in most cases, the equally short- 
 tailed but beautifully spotted Tragopans (Trago- 
 pan), the males of which have erectile fleshy 
 horns of blue and similarly extensible dewlaps, of 
 
44 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 gay colours. They are sometimes called Argus 
 Pheasants, but the true Argus (Argusianus argus) 
 is a very different bird, with enormously long 
 secondary quills, ornamented with eye-spots, con- 
 cealed in repose, and very long centre tail-feathers. 
 Another Eastern group with eye-spot markings is 
 that of the Peacock- Pheasants (Polyplectrori). 
 
 Of Partridges, the common British species (Perdix 
 perdix) ranges to Persia ; further east its place is 
 taken by the smaller Bearded Partridge (P. barbata), 
 often sent over here frozen ; this has a black instead 
 of chocolate-brown patch on the breast. The Chukore 
 Partridge of India (Caccabis chukar) extends from 
 Greece to China, and is much like our Red-leg, but 
 greyer, and without the fringe of black spots below 
 the black necklace found in that bird (Caccabis rufa). 
 
 Among the Grouse, the Ryper, or Willow-grouse 
 (Lagopus albus), ranges all round the world in the 
 high north ; it is very similar to our Red Grouse 
 (L. scoticus), confined to the British Islands. The 
 Ryper, however, has always a white belly and wings, 
 and turns white in winter, this being the " Ptar- 
 migan " commonly seen for sale in poulterers' 
 shops. It does not occur naturally in Britain. 
 The other Ptarmigans also all turn white, and are 
 found on high mountains in the Northern hemi- 
 sphere in both worlds, one species (L. mutus) 
 being found in Scotland. Our Blackcock (Lyrurus 
 tetrix), almost the only game-bird with a forked 
 tail, is found all across the Old World, but the 
 large Capercailzie (Tetrao urogallus), the biggest 
 of all Grouse, is replaced in Eastern Siberia by 
 allied species. Hybrids between these two birds 
 often occur, and hybridism is more frequent among 
 Grouse than in any other birds. 
 
 Of the American Grouse, the Ruffed Grouse 
 (Bonasa umbellus) is the most familiar ; it is closely 
 
Photo copyright by W. S. Berridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 Southern Skua (Megahstris antarcticus}. (Seep. 53-) 
 
 This predatory Gull is almost indistinguishable from the Northern Skua 
 or " Bonxie." The dropped position of the wing is not normal. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 45 
 
 allied to the Hazel-hen (Tetrastes bonasia] of the 
 Old World, but has a frill of purple-black feathers 
 on each side of the neck. It is often called " Phea- 
 sant " or " Partridge." The Prairie-hen (Tym- 
 panuchus americanus) is a brown, barred bird, with 
 a pair of wing-like appendages on the neck, and is 
 widely spread in open country in North America. 
 The largest American Grouse is the Sage-cock 
 (Centrocercus urophasianus) of the barren eastern 
 plains ; it has a long tail of pointed feathers. 
 
 Many game-birds have been acclimatized in 
 other countries, especially the Pheasants ; owing 
 to their limited powers of flight they are easy to 
 establish, but on account of their quarrelsome 
 nature two species of the same size will seldom 
 live side by side. 
 
 GANNETS (Sulida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Sea-fowl with straight bills, with no per- 
 ceptible nostrils, all four toes webbed, and long 
 wings. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a goose to that of a duck. 
 
 FORM. Bill stout, straight, slightly curving towards 
 tip, the covering grooved, nostrils obsolete, corner 
 of mouth reaching beyond eye ; feet with short 
 shanks and all four toes webbed, the first pointing 
 inwards or backwards ; wings long, pointed ; tail 
 moderate, pointed ; neck long. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering white or 
 brown ; no sexual difference or seasonal change ; 
 but young different from adults, being darker. 
 Face always more or less bare. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless, and fed by parents; at first naked, 
 then clothed in thick white down. 
 
46 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 NEST. A collection of sea-weed, etc., placed on rocks, 
 trees, or bushes. 
 
 EGGS. One or two ; with a coat of chalky matter 
 over a blue shell. 
 
 INCUBATION. About six weeks (in the Common 
 Gannet). 
 
 FOOD. Fish and other marine animals ; some species 
 plunge for this from a height like our Gannet, 
 others fly low and sweep down on it, like the 
 Booby. 
 
 GAIT. A slow and awkward walk ; they carry the body 
 horizontal, not erect like Cormorants ; they swim 
 high and lightly. The tropical species perch on 
 trees. 
 
 FLIGHT. Very powerful, performed by alternate flap- 
 pings and sailings ; the neck is extended in front and 
 the feet carried under the tail. 
 
 NOTE. A harsh croak or cackle ; but they are not con- 
 stantly noisy like gulls. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Although sociable, they 
 are somewhat surly in temper ; they are purely 
 marine, never coming inland voluntarily. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. The young of the Common 
 Gannet are used as food, and several of the tropical 
 species are valuable guano -producers. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. Gannets do not do well as a rule in this 
 condition, probably because they take hardly 
 any exercise ; but Booth was very successful 
 in keeping the common European species many 
 years ago, and they bred and reared young. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. About eight 
 kinds of Gannets are known, mostly inhabiting the 
 warmer seas ; our only British species (Sula 
 bassana) is widely distributed over the northern 
 seas and is the only kind in the north. The most 
 familiar species in tropical seas is the Common 
 Booby (Sula sula), about as big as a wild duck, 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 47 
 
 and brown, with white belly and pale yellow bill 
 and legs. The Gannets of the Southern seas, 
 the Malagash (5. capensis), of the Cape, and the 
 Australian Gannet (S. senator], of Australasia, are 
 much like our bird, but have black in the tail. 
 
 GREBES (Podicipedidc?)i 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Diving birds with lobed feet and no stiff 
 tail-feathers. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a mallard to that of a quail, 
 approximately. 
 
 FORM. Bill straight, varying in length and thickness ; 
 gape reaching to beneath front of eye. Feet 
 at end of body, with three front toes, the outer 
 one longest, and a small hind-toe, all lobed and with 
 fiat, blunt nails, that of the middle toe saw-edged 
 inside. Wings rather short, very compactly folded. 
 Body short, neck long ; tail-quills wanting. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering of peculiarly 
 silky texture, brown or blackish above, satiny- 
 white below in most cases. No sexual difference, 
 but usually a seasonal change. First plumage 
 like winter dress of adults. The quills are shed 
 simultaneously in the moult. 
 
 YOUNG. Active, but for the first few days carried 
 on the back of the parents, and fed by them for 
 some time. Down close, revealing the shape, which 
 is much like that of the adult ; it has numerous 
 longitudinal light and dark stripes. The wings 
 do not fledge till the body is feathered, and the 
 head remains downy even then. 
 
 NEST. A mass of wet vegetable matter deposited on 
 water-plants or tussocks projecting from the water, 
 or even on boughs just above or touching it. The 
 
48 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 nest is always damp, and the eggs are covered with 
 weeds by the sitting bird when leaving it. 
 EGGS. Several ; oval in shape, and pure white when 
 laid, but becoming stained buff to chocolate by the 
 wet vegetable matter of the nest. 
 INCUBATION. About three weeks. 
 COURTSHIP. Chiefly consists in meeting face to face 
 
 and uttering various notes ; no special display. 
 FOOD. Small aquatic animals and aquatic plants ; 
 insects captured from the surface. Many species 
 swallow their own feathers. The digestion is 
 powerful ; no castings are ejected, even the feathers 
 being apparently digested. 
 
 GAIT. On land semi-erect and awkward, especially 
 in the large species ; it is an effort for the bird to 
 rise up, and it easily falls down. They have great 
 powers of swimming and diving; under water the 
 legs are used simultaneously, the wings not at all. 
 FLIGHT. Direct and rapid, with the neck and legs 
 extended, and continuous wing-beats ; mostly 
 performed at night. The birds have much diffi- 
 culty in starting, and alight breast first, with the 
 legs trailing and wings working continuously. One 
 species, Podicipes micropterus, the Flightless Grebe 
 of Lake Titicaca in the Andes, has such small 
 wings that it cannot fly at all. Most will dive 
 rather than fly. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Grebes are intelligent, 
 
 courageous, and much attached to their young. 
 
 Very wary when persecuted, they become tame and 
 
 inquisitive where protected. 
 
 NOTE. A croak in the larger species, an almost musical 
 
 trill in some Dabchicks. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. These birds are hardly to be 
 reckoned as either beneficial or destructive. The 
 skins of the Great Crested Grebe (Podicipes cristalus) 
 are utilized as furs, and it is considered to give good 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 49 
 
 sport when hunted in a boat ; it might well be 
 protected as a sporting and fur-bearing animal. 
 The skins of the Flightless Grebe are used for saddle- 
 cloths. In the interest of their habits the Grebes 
 yield to no birds whatever. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. Grebes are seldom kept confined, but will 
 live if their food be varied and they are allowed 
 constant access to water. If kept out of it for 
 even a day, their plumage lets in the wet like a 
 land-bird's. They need a good-sized swimming 
 place and only a small landing. They have never 
 bred in captivity, or even laid, so far as I know. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The family, 
 containing about two dozen species, is of world- 
 wide range, the northern species migrating south 
 in winter in search of open water. They are 
 usually fresh-water birds, but in winter may be 
 found on the coasts. The Dabchicks, as the 
 small species are called, are the best known, 
 and one or another is found everywhere. Our Great 
 Crested Grebe (Podicipes cristatus) is distributed 
 almost all over the Old World, and the Pied-billed 
 Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), about the size of 
 a partridge, with short, thick bill, is equally wide- 
 spread in the New. In America, Grebes are often 
 called Hell-divers. 
 
 GUACHARO (Steatornithidcz}. 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. A long-winged bird, with hawk-like bill 
 and excessively short, scaleless shanks. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a crow. 
 
 FORM. Bill very hawk-like, hooked and toothed at 
 edge near tip, corner of mouth below eye ; nume- 
 rous bristles at base of beak ; feet with very short 
 shanks without scales, and three front toes, all 
 
 4 
 
50 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 free to the base, and a smaller hind-toe. Wings 
 long ; tail rather long. Head of moderate size. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. General hue chestnut- 
 brown, with darker markings, and white variega- 
 tion on wings. No difference according to age, 
 sex, or season. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless, and remarkable for its extreme fat- 
 ness. 
 
 NEST. A thick, round, open structure of mud, placed 
 in convenient places on the walls of caves. They 
 nest in colonies. 
 
 EGGS. Two or more ; white. 
 
 FOOD. Chiefly, if not entirely, fruit ; this being the 
 only fruit-eating night-bird. The stones of the 
 fruit eaten are ejected from the mouth. 
 
 GAIT. They seem hardly to move about on foot, 
 picking their food from the trees while on the 
 wing. 
 
 FLIGHT. Powerful. 
 
 NOTE. A harsh scream and clatter. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. This bird is nocturnal, 
 frequenting caves during the day. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. It is of great utility, the young 
 supplying a large quantity of oil, which is much 
 prized locally, whence the name " Oil-bird " often 
 given to the species. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. The bird has been exhibited at the London 
 Zoological Gardens. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION. The single species known (Steator- 
 nis caripensis) is confined to Northern South 
 America and Trinidad. 
 
 GULLS (Larida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Long-winged birds, with front toes more 
 
 or less webbed, small hind-toe, and slit-like nostrils. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a small goose to that of a starling. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 51 
 
 FORM. Bill variable in form, but generally of medium 
 length, and flat-sided, with nostrils slit-like and 
 generally far forward, corner of mouth below eye ; 
 feet with shanks of variable length, front toes 
 usually fully webbed, though in some the webbing 
 is very slight ; hind- toe usually very small. Wings 
 long and pointed ; tail moderate or long. Head 
 large, and body light. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Colouration usually 
 showing much white in adults ; no sex-difference, but 
 often a seasonal change. Young usually mottled 
 brown, and very unlike adults. Beak and feet 
 usually bright-coloured. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy and rather active, but the food is 
 disgorged for them by their parents, though they 
 can pick it up. Their down is usually grey, with 
 dark spots. 
 
 NEST. A loose, open structure of sticks, sea-weed, 
 etc., placed on the ground, on rock-ledges, or on 
 trees and bushes. 
 EGGS. One to four ; spotted. 
 INCUBATION. Three to four weeks. 
 COURTSHIP. Very demonstrative, the male arching 
 his neck, or lowering it with the head turned up, 
 and opening his wings at the pinions, while keeping 
 them closed at the tip. 
 
 FOOD. Fish, and other marine animals ; carrion, 
 mice, insects and berries are eaten by many 
 species ; they also often eat the eggs and young 
 of other birds. Indigestible substances are dis- 
 gorged as " castings." 
 
 GAIT. The typical gulls walk easily and gracefully, 
 but some of the short -legged Terns waddle, and 
 walk but little. They swim lightly, but hardly 
 any can dive. Many of them perch on trees. 
 FLIGHT. Slow, but graceful, and long-sustained. The 
 Skuas and Noddies fly with quicker strokes. 
 
 4* 
 
52 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 NOTE. A scream, cackle, or laugh. Some make an 
 almost cooing sound when courting. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. They are usually 
 sociable, and have considerable courage and 
 intelligence. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are of use as scavengers 
 and vermin-destroyers, and are sometimes used as 
 food. Some of the largest species are destructive 
 to game and wild-fowl, and even lambs. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. The typical gulls do very well in captivity, 
 and several species breed freely. Skuas, Terns, 
 and even Skimmers have also been successfully 
 kept, but the last in the New York Zoological 
 Park only. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Some or other 
 of the species of these birds, about a hundred and 
 twenty in number, are found everywhere, chiefly 
 along sea-coasts, but also inland about wide rivers, 
 lakes and marshes ; they always keep in the open. 
 Many of them are migratory ; and, while some 
 range very widely, others have a quite restricted 
 habitat. 
 
 Our Herring-Gull (Larus argentatus)&nd the greater 
 Black-backed Gull (L. marinus) range all round 
 the northern parts of the world, while the Lesser 
 Black-back (L. fuscus), although confined to the 
 Old World, is found from the Faroes to Aden. 
 The small Black-headed Gull (L. ridibundus), 
 our commonest species, ranges almost all over 
 Europe and Asia, visiting India in winter. The 
 common Gull of Indian coasts is, however, the 
 very similar Brown-headed Gull (L. brunnei- 
 cephalus), but this is a winter visitor. 
 
 In southern waters the species of Gulls are much 
 fewer ; the large black-backed forms are repre- 
 sented chiefly by the Dominican Gull (L. domini- 
 camis), while the small Jameson's Gull (L. jamesoni), 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 53 
 
 grey and white, with scarlet bill and feet and 
 white eyes, is common on Australasian coasts. 
 The Burgomaster (L. glaucus), as big as the Great 
 Black-back, but with no black in its plumage, 
 and the small pure white Ivory Gull (Pagophila 
 eburnea) are characteristic Arctic forms, and the 
 two Kittiwakes (Rissa), in which the hind-toe 
 is quite rudimentary, are also northern, though not 
 so much so. In the Red Sea the brown Hemprich's 
 Gull (L. hemprichi] is a familiar species. 
 
 The Terns (Sterna), with straight bills and small 
 feet, are found all over the world, even where gulls 
 are absent during all or most of the year, and 
 breed in any climate. Our Arctic Tern (S. 
 macrura) ranges from the Arctic to the Antarctic 
 Continents. The Noddies, which are dark brown 
 or grey (A nous), or pure white (Gygis), are tropical 
 birds. The White Noddies, like the Marsh Terns 
 (Hydrochelidon), have the feet hardly at all webbed, 
 and in the former the hind-toe is fairly well deve- 
 loped. They lay their one egg on a bough or rock, 
 with no nest. 
 
 One or other of the five species of Skimmers 
 (Rhynchops) is found all round the world in warm 
 climates ; they are like large black-and-white Terns, 
 with the under jaw in the adult twice as long as 
 the upper ; they skim the surface, ploughing it with 
 the long lower jaw, and thus snap up small fish, etc. 
 
 The Skuas (Stercorariince], which have very 
 fully-webbed, strong-clawed feet, and brown 
 plumage, are never found breeding in warm 
 climates. They are predatory and piratical, 
 making other sea-fowl disgorge their prey, and 
 are some of the fiercest of birds. The few species 
 are mostly northern, but our Great Skua, or 
 Bonxie (Megalestris catarrhactes) is represented by 
 very similar forms in southern seas. 
 
54 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 HAMMERKOP (Scopidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. A moderate-sized wader with longish deep 
 bill hooked at the tip, front toes all webbed at base, and 
 large hind-toe. 
 
 SIZE. About as large as a crow. 
 
 FORM. Bill rather long, deep, straight, with a hooked 
 tip ; feet with shanks of moderate length, and three 
 front toes webbed at base, hind-toe well developed ; 
 wings large, broad ; tail medium ; head large, 
 crested ; neck rather short. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Brown, with portions of 
 the plumage, chiefly the tail, barred ; much like 
 that of many birds of prey. No difference according 
 to age, sex, or season. Bill and legs black. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless, and fed by parents. 
 
 NEST. A very large domed structure of sticks, placed 
 on trees or rocks, and often ornamented with various 
 objects. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; white. 
 
 FOOD. Fish, frogs, reptiles, etc. 
 
 GAIT. A walk. It perches freely. 
 
 FLIGHT. Light and easy ; the neck and legs out- 
 stretched. 
 
 NOTE. A croak or a weak metallic sound. 
 
 HABITS AND DISPOSITION. This bird is somewhat 
 sociable, lively and playful ; it is inclined to be 
 nocturnal. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. It no doubt destroys vermin. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. This bird has thriven well at the London 
 Zoological Gardens. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION. There is only one species (Scopus 
 umbretta), found in Africa and Madagascar. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 55 
 
 HEMIPODES (Turnicidcz). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Small quail-like ground birds with no web 
 at base of toes, and nostrils reaching from base to 
 centre of bill. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a small partridge to that of a 
 sparrow. 
 
 FORM. Bill short to medium, corner of mouth below 
 eye ; nostrils covered on the inner side, and reach- 
 ing from base to centre of bill ; feet with shanks 
 of medium length, with a single row of scales in 
 front, and usually three toes, not united by web 
 at base ; wings short ; tail short and soft ; head 
 bigger than in true quails. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Plain-coloured and much 
 variegated, the females handsomer and larger than 
 the males, the young resembling the latter ; some- 
 times a slight seasonal change. Eyes conspicuously 
 light-coloured. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy and active, much like young quails. 
 The male only attends to them. 
 
 NEST. On the ground, made of dry grass, etc., often 
 domed: 
 
 EGGS. Several ; somewhat conical in shape, and spotted 
 on a pale ground. 
 
 INCUBATION. About twelve days, the male only sitting. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Conducted by the female, which raises 
 her tail and utters a cooing call ; she also calls 
 the male to food. 
 
 FOOD. Insects and seed, herbage, etc. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run. 
 
 FLIGHT. Performed by quick continued fluttering of 
 the wings, and usually only for short distances.- 
 
 NOTE. A cooing or groaning call. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Unsociable ; the females are 
 very quarrelsome and fight much with each other. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They seem to destroy many 
 
56 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 insects, and are good to eat, but are hardly taken 
 seriously as game-birds. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They thrive well, and often get remarkably 
 tame, so as to let themselves be touched. Several 
 species have been bred successfully in England and 
 Germany. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The score 
 of species are found in warmer parts of the Old 
 World ; one (Turnix sylvatica) is found in Southern 
 Europe. In Australia occurs the only four-toed 
 species (Pedionomus torquatus). In India they are 
 called Button-quails. 
 
 HERONS AND BITTERNS (Ardeida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Straight-billed wading-birds, with deep gape, 
 long hind-toe, and the two outer front toes webbed 
 at base. 
 
 SIZE. From little bigger than a thrush to four feet high. 
 
 FORM. Bill straight, hard, pointed, usually long, 
 with nostrils at the base at the end of a groove 
 running down the bill, corner of mouth below eye ; 
 thighs usually bare above hocks ; feet with long 
 shanks and four toes, the hinder strong, and rest- 
 ing on the ground, the two outer front toes united 
 at base by a short web ; middle claw toothed inside ; 
 wings large and broad ; tail short ; neck long, with 
 an S-like curvature in repose ; body meagre, flat- 
 sided. In the Boatbill the bill is flat. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering powdery, 
 usually grey or white, sometimes brown ; orna- 
 mental plumes common, often only worn in breed- 
 ing season. Seldom any sexual difference, but 
 young usually unlike adults. Albinism is more 
 common in some species of this family than in 
 almost any other birds. There is always a bare 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 57 
 
 space from bill to eyes, which are nearly always 
 yellow. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless, scantily clothed with hair-like 
 down ; gaping for food, and constantly uttering a 
 cry like get-gd-get. 
 
 NEST. An open platform of twigs, usually in trees ; 
 sometimes in rushes or on rocks. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; coloured or white, spotless. 
 
 INCUBATION. From between two and three to be- 
 tween three and four weeks. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Crest and ornamental back-plumes raised. 
 
 FOOD. Small animals, especially fish. They usually 
 stand waiting for food, and do not search about for 
 it much. Some feed much on insects. 
 
 GAIT. A slow walk ; only a few run. They are quite 
 at home in trees, and some climb actively about in 
 reeds. They can swim, but rarely do so. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy, with slow or rapid continuous strokes 
 of the wing, according to the size of the species, 
 the larger ones using the slower stroke. When 
 flying, the neck is drawn in, and the legs stretched 
 out, the hind-toes elevated, and the points of the 
 wings incline downwards. They do not sail or 
 soar except when about to alight. 
 
 NOTE. A croak or booming sound. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. Generally slug- 
 gish, surly and savage, unsociable except when 
 breeding, and then constantly quarrelling. They 
 strike at the eyes when fighting. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are destructive to fish, 
 but also destroy many injurious animals, such as 
 mice and insects. The Common Bittern is good 
 eating, and the Egrets supply plumes, obtained 
 most cruelly from breeding birds. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They live well, but have seldom bred. 
 The Night Heron (Nycticorax griseus) has, how- 
 ever, bred in the London Zoological Gardens 
 
58 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Birds of this 
 family, which contains about a hundred species, 
 are found all over the world, but chiefly in hot 
 climates, always, of course, near water, usually 
 fresh rather than salt. Our common British 
 species (Ardea cinerea] is widely distributed over 
 the Old World ; in America the very similar 
 Ardea herodias (Great Blue Heron) is common ; 
 this has cinnamon markings on the wing-edges and 
 thighs. In America the Little Green Bittern 
 (Butorides virescens), about as big as a jackdaw, 
 and dark-green and grey, is well known. In India 
 the most familiar is the pied drab-and-white 
 Paddy-bird, or Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), 
 about the size of the last. 
 
 HOATZIN (Opisthocomidcz). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. A tree bird, with short stout bill, long tail, 
 and four well-developed toes, the hinder one smallest, 
 and none connected by webs. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a pheasant. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, stout ; corner of mouth below fore- 
 head ; feet with shanks of moderate length, toes 
 four, first one directed backwards, front ones not 
 united at base ; wings broad, but short ; tail long 
 and rounded ; head small, crested. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering coarse in 
 texture ; no sex-difference or seasonal change ; 
 young resembling adult ; head with a full crest 
 of narrow feathers. Face bare. 
 
 YOUNG. Clothed at first with scanty hair-like down, 
 then with a thicker fawn coat ; active climbers, and 
 able to swim and dive on occasion ; in climbing they 
 use not only the bill and feet, but the wings, which 
 have well-developed claws on the two first fingers 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 59 
 
 NEST. A platform of twigs placed on a bush over 
 water. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; spotted, much like those of rails. 
 
 FOOD. Leaves and berries, especially of aroids. 
 
 GAIT. They move actively among the branches, but 
 seem not to come to the ground. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy and awkward, and not prolonged to 
 any distance. 
 
 NOTE. A harsh hissing screech. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are sociable and keep 
 in flocks. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Their interest is purely scien- 
 tific ; they are not insectivorous, and of no use as 
 food, having a very unpleasant smell. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They have not been kept in captivity in 
 Europe as yet. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION. South America, along the sides of 
 rivers. There is only one species (Opisthoco- 
 mus hoaziri), a rather handsome bird, coloured 
 buff, brown and chestnut, and known as 
 " Hanna," " Qigana," " Stinking Pheasant," or 
 " Governor Battenberg's Turkey." 
 
 HONEY-GUIDES (Indicatoridce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Small pair -toed birds, with small beaks 
 with curved profile. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a lark to that of a linnet. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, with curved profile, usually thick 
 and very like a finch's ; feet with toes in pairs, the 
 first and fourth turned back, all free. Wings 
 short ; tail moderate. General appearance like 
 an ordinary " small bird." 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Plain, with some mark- 
 ings of yellow, and white in the tail. Sometimes 
 a sex-difference, but no seasonal change. Young 
 much like the adult. 
 
60 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 YOUNG. Naked and helpless, with a hooked tip to 
 both jaws. 
 
 NEST. None, the birds being parasitic and laying in 
 the nests of other species. 
 
 EGGS. White. 
 
 FOOD. Insects, chiefly bees, wasps, and their grubs, 
 honeycomb, and sometimes apparently other small 
 birds. 
 
 GAIT. They are chiefly to be seen on trees ; presumably 
 they hop. 
 
 FLIGHT. Undulating. 
 
 NOTE. A repeated chatter. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Several of the African 
 species are well known from their strange habit of 
 leading men to bees' nests, in order to obtain a share 
 of the comb. They attract attention, and then 
 fly on ahead till the nest is reached ; such an action 
 seems to denote unusual intelligence. They are 
 usually solitary. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are, of course, regarded 
 as very useful birds on account of the above 
 peculiarity. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. There are 
 only eleven species known, mostly African, but one 
 a rare bird (Indicator xanthonotus) is Indian, 
 and one, /. archipelagicus, Malayan. The best- 
 known species is Sparrman's Honey-guide (Indi- 
 cator indicator), which is widely spread over Africa, 
 and has been long familiar to travellers. This 
 is rather larger than a sparrow, brown, with a 
 yellow patch on each shoulder and a white bill, 
 the male with a black throat, the female with this 
 part white. The commonest species in South 
 Africa is, however, the Lesser Honey-guide (/. 
 minor), smaller, and olive in colour, with a black 
 bill ; in this the sexes are alike. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 6l 
 
 HOOPOES (Upupidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds, with long, slender bills, 
 broad wings, and short legs t with three toes in front 
 and a smaller hind-toe. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a dove to that of a lark. 
 
 FORM. Bill long, slender, more or less curved down, 
 with the corner of mouth under front of eye, and 
 the tongue very short ; feet with short shanks 
 and three toes in front, nearly free, and a hind-toe 
 shorter than the rest, but well developed ; wings 
 short, but broad and rounded ; tail medium or long. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Chiefly black-and-white, 
 combined with sandy-brown in the typical 
 Hoopoes ; no sex-difference or seasonal change, 
 and young like adults or differing but little. 
 
 YOUNG. Naked and helpless, with soft expanded skin 
 at corners of mouth. 
 
 NEST. In a hole, scantily-lined and ill-smelling. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; greenish-white or sea-green ; un- 
 spotted. 
 
 INCUBATION. Sixteen days in the Common Hoopoe. 
 
 COURTSHIP. In the Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops) 
 the male erects his crest, as he does also when 
 afraid or angry. 
 
 FOOD. Insects, and other small invertebrates. 
 
 GAIT. In the true Hoopoes a mincing walk like a 
 pigeon's ; they perch at times ; the Kakelaars, or 
 Wood -hoopoes, are entirely tree-birds, and climb 
 about the trunks and boughs like Woodpeckers. 
 
 FLIGHT. Light and easy 5 but not fast, performed in 
 an undulating manner ; in the Common Hoopoe 
 the neck is drawn in and the feet tucked up in 
 front, and the crest lies so flat that it is not notice- 
 able ; this bird escapes from hawks with ease. 
 
 NOTE. A soft hoot in ordinary Hoopoes, or a jarring 
 sound ; the Wood -hoopoes cackle noisily. 
 
62 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. The typical Hoopoes are 
 solitary and quiet, the Kakelaars social and 
 noisy. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. These birds are most useful 
 insect-destroyers, and also very ornamental. 
 The Common Hoopoe is eaten in Southern Europe. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. The Common Hoopoe has been often 
 kept, and is obtainable yearly ; when hand-reared 
 it is very tame, and can be allowed to fly loose. 
 It has never bred in captivity. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. These birds 
 inhabit the warm and temperate parts of the Old 
 World ; there are less than twenty species. The 
 typical Hoopoes, which are all much like the 
 common European bird, sandy, black and white, 
 with a large, erectile, fan-shaped, cinnamon crest, 
 range widely all across the Old World, except in the 
 Australian region. The Common Hoopoe is migra- 
 tory, but the more richly-coloured forms peculiar 
 to the Indian region and Africa are resident. The 
 crestless, long-tailed Wood-hoopoes are peculiar to 
 Africa south of the Sahara ; the best known is the 
 Kakelaar (Irrisor erythorhynchus) , a metallic-black, 
 long-tailed bird, with the wings and tail marked 
 with white, and scarlet bill and feet, which is a 
 common and familiar species. 
 
 HORNBILLS (Bucerotida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds of large size, with huge, 
 usually curved, bills and four-toed feet, the two outer 
 front toes united. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a hen turkey to that of a pigeon. 
 
 FORM. Bill large, curved in profile, stout, usually sur- 
 mounted by an excrescence in the adult ; nostrils 
 behind the base, corner of mouth below eye. 
 
Prevost's Humming-bird (Lampornis prevostt). (See p. 65.) 
 From a specimen which lived five weeks in the London Zoological Gardens. 
 
 m 
 
 MMR0 
 
 Photos copyright by W. S. Bet ridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 Felicia's Humming-bird (Amazilia felitia). (See p. 65.) 
 One of twelve specimens exhibited in 1907 in the London Zoological Gardens. 
 It is really much smaller than the species shown above. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 63 
 
 Feet with shanks usually very short (long only in 
 the Ground Hornbills), and the two outer front toes 
 united ; hind-toe well-developed. Wings with short 
 primaries, but large altogether, having the upper - 
 and fore-arm bones long, as in many water-fowl; 
 tail long, rounded or wedge-shaped ; head large, 
 neck long, body meagre ; thighs very prominent. 
 Tongue very short. 
 
 PLUMAGE, COLOURATION, ETC. Usually sombre, though 
 strongly contrasted ; black and white, sometimes 
 grey, and sometimes partly chestnut. Sexes some- 
 times different, and young also differing at times. 
 Bill and bare face often richly coloured. Upper 
 eyelid furnished with eyelashes. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless, naked, and fed by parents. The 
 casque or " horn " does not appear till some time 
 after they are fledged. 
 
 NEST. In most cases simply a hole in a tree, walled 
 up by the female with her own dung, till only a 
 slit is left, through which the male feeds her and 
 the young. The Ground Hornbills, however, build 
 an ordinary nest in a fork. 
 
 EGGS. One or two only ; white and spotless. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Little known ; in the Ground Hornbills 
 the throat-wattle is expanded, the wings drooped 
 and tail raised. 
 
 FOOD. The short-legged tree-haunting species live 
 mostly on fruit, and such small animals as they 
 can capture ; the ground-living forms subsist mainly 
 on the animal diet. They hardly ever drink, and 
 show little inclination even to bathe. 
 
 GAIT. The tree species, which usually seldom visit the 
 ground, move there by awkward hops ; they also 
 hop sideways along the boughs ; the ground 
 species walk and run freely. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy, and in the large species noisy, per- 
 formed either by continued flappings or by alternate 
 
64 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 flapping and sailing ; very jay-like in the small 
 species. The neck and feet are stretched out. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are wary and intelli- 
 gent, and possessed of considerable affection for 
 each other. 
 
 NOTE. Unmusical and loud ; often a positive bray or 
 bellow. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Some are said to be very good 
 eating, and some are valued as scavengers. When 
 they visit fruit gardens they are naturally very 
 destructive, but this seldom happens. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They live well in this state, are easily 
 fed, and when hand-reared, are remarkably tame 
 and affectionate, delighting in being fondled and 
 played with ; indeed, they can be left at liberty 
 without fear of their straying. None have ever 
 bred in this condition, however, and they are very 
 subject to defective feather-growth. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The Tree 
 Hornbills, of which there are about sixty-five 
 species (Bucerotince), are found in Africa, south 
 of the Sahara, and in South-East Asia to New 
 Guinea, in wooded country ; the Ground Horn- 
 bills (Bucorvince) are confined to Africa, where the 
 species (two only) frequent open land, but roost 
 on trees. These are as large as a turkey-hen, and 
 mostly black, with long shanks. One has the 
 casque open in front, while it is closed in the other. 
 Among the Tree Hornbills the most familiar in 
 India is the Grey Hornbili (Ocyceros birostris), about 
 the size of a magpie, with narrow pointed casque 
 on the bill ; in South Africa the Red-billed Horn- 
 bill (Tockus erythrorhynchus), variegated with 
 brown and white, and about the size of the 
 above. At our Zoological Gardens the Elate Horn- 
 bill of West Africa (Ceratogymna elata) is usually 
 on view, and does better than most species. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 65 
 
 HUMMING-BIRDS (Trochilidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Very small perching birds, with slender 
 bills and very short shanks. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a swallow to that of a large humble- 
 bee. Some are the smallest of known birds. 
 
 FORM. Bill always slender medium, long, or very 
 long, usually straight ; feet with very short shanks 
 and four free toes, three in front and one behind ; 
 wings narrow and generally long, with the arm 
 bones very short, most of the length being due to 
 the primary quills ; tail very varied in form ; head 
 large, neck long, body small but plump. 
 
 Head and foot of Giant Humming-Bird (Patagonia gigas). 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering close and 
 usually metallic, very commonly coloured green, 
 the lustre often very intense ; no seasonal change, 
 but often a sexual difference. Young like the female. 
 
 YOUNG. Naked and helpless, with the bill short and 
 broad at first. 
 
 EGGS. Two ; pure white. 
 
 INCUBATION. Ten days, the hen only sitting. 
 
 COURTSHIP. The male plays on the wing with expanded 
 tail. 
 
 NEST. Suspended from a leaf or branch, to which it 
 is fastened by one side ; very neatly made of 
 plant-down, spiders' webs, etc., and small even for 
 the size of the birds. 
 
 FOOD. Minute insects, etc., and nectar obtained from 
 
 5 
 
66 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 flowers ; they usually feed when hovering on the 
 wing over the flowers. 
 
 GAIT. They seem never to walk at ah 1 ; when perching 
 they sometimes move sideways along the twig, but 
 usually sit still. 
 
 FLIGHT. Very powerful and peculiar, by extremely 
 rapid beats of the wing, so that a humming noise 
 is often produced. They fly very quickly in a 
 straight line, and excel all birds in power of hover- 
 ing ; but do not usually remain on the wing for long 
 together. 
 
 NOTE. A mere chirp or squeak ; one species, the 
 Vervain Humming-Bird (Mellisuga minima), is 
 a singing bird, however. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are very ornamental 
 and useful as insect-destroyers and flower-fer- 
 tilizers. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are quarrelsome and 
 unsociable, but show considerable intelligence. 
 They have a curious trick of wiping the bill with 
 one foot. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They have seldom been kept successfully 
 for long, but several species have been brought to 
 Europe and lived for some weeks at our Zoological 
 Gardens, or even months elsewhere. Some substi- 
 tute for their insect food should always be provided, 
 as they cannot live long on syrup alone. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The New 
 World, chiefly in the southern half thereof ; there 
 are about five hundred species. Some species are 
 migratory, and of these some even reach Alaska 
 and Canada. Others range high up the Andes. 
 The most generally known is the Ruby-throat 
 (Trochilus colibris), of the United States and 
 Canada, metallic green, with white underparts, and 
 red throat in the male. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 67 
 
 IBISES AND SPOONBILLS (Ibidida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Rather large waders, with long bills, curved 
 throughout or expanded at the tip ; all front toes 
 webbed at the base, and well-developed hind-toe. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a crow to that of a goose. 
 
 FORM. Bill long, curved downwards and narrow 
 throughout in Ibises, curved only at the tip and 
 broadened and flattened there in Spoonbills ; feet 
 with long shanks, hind -toe well developed and 
 resting on the ground, all front toes webbed at base. 
 Wings large, rounded at tip ; tail short. Head 
 small, neck long. 
 
 PLUMAGE, ETC. Colouration in masses, usually black, 
 richly glossed, or white ; sexes alike, but fledged 
 young different. Sometimes a seasonal change. 
 Face or head always showing some bare skin. 
 Skin of under side of wings often bright scarlet. 
 
 YOUNG. Hatched downy and helpless, with short 
 beaks of ordinary form ; they thrust these into the 
 mouths of the parents when being fed. 
 
 NEST. A platform of sticks, etc., usually on trees, 
 sometimes on rocks, reeds, or ground. 
 
 EGGS. Several, spotted on a white ground, or plain 
 blue. 
 
 INCUBATION. About three weeks. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Attended with much croaking and erection 
 of the expanded wings. 
 
 FOOD. Insects, crustaceans, small fish, and suchlike ; 
 they eat some little vegetable food also. 
 
 GAIT. A walk ; they seldom run, but can swim 
 on occasion. They perch readily. 
 
 FLIGHT. Strong ; performed by alternate flappings 
 and sailings, with the neck and legs outstretched. 
 
 NOTE. Harsh ; a croak, cackle, or scream. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are, generally speak- 
 ing, sociable and harmless birds, frequenting, 
 
 5* 
 
68 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 usually, marshy places, though some Ibises feed 
 on dry ground. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are useful vermin-des- 
 troyers, and some are good eating. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. No waders thrive better in this condition, 
 and several breed readily. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. These birds, 
 numbering about thirty species, are found all 
 round the world, chiefly in warm climates. The 
 most widely distributed is the migratory glossy 
 Ibis (Falcinellus igneus), found in both worlds, 
 and a rare straggler to Britain. The White Spoon- 
 bill (Platalea alba) is also widely spread in the 
 Old World, and used to breed here. The cele- 
 brated Sacred Ibis (Ibis religiosa), a white bird 
 with a black, bare head, and filamentous black 
 wing-plumes, is well known in Africa, being called 
 Schoorsteen-veger (Chimney-Sweeper) at the Cape. 
 A familiar species in South America is the Scarlet 
 Ibis (Eudocimus ruber), whose name expresses its 
 prevailing colour, which, however, fades in cap- 
 tivity. 
 
 JA$AMARS (Galbulidcz). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds, with long bills and small 
 feet with two toes in front. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a thrush to that of a skylark. 
 
 FORM. Bill much like a kingfisher's, long, straight, 
 and tapering, except in one species, the largest, 
 and surrounded with bristles at the base ; feet 
 small, with very short shanks and two toes in 
 front, united at the base, the fourth toe turned 
 back with the hind one sometimes the latter is 
 missing, and the bird three-toed. Wings short. 
 Tail rather long ; head rather large. 
 
s ! 
 
 > .- 
 
 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 69 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering soft and lax, 
 but, nevertheless, usually with rich metallic bronze- 
 green gloss ; a small sex- difference, the male's 
 throat being usually white ; no seasonal change. 
 
 YOUNG. Presumably helpless. 
 
 NEST. A hole in a bank, sometimes dug out by the 
 birds, 
 
 EGGS. White. 
 
 FOOD. Insects, captured on the wing. 
 
 GAIT. They seem to sit perched most of the time, 
 not to hop or walk about. 
 
 FLIGHT. Quick, but spasmodic. 
 
 NOTE. They seem to be generally silent, but one sings. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. They are solitary 
 and sluggish birds. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are presumably of use as 
 insect-destroyers. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. I know of no record of any being kept, 
 but as one was once shot at large in England, it 
 must have been brought over, as it can hardly have 
 arrived naturally. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION. Warm parts of America, frequenting 
 forests, near streams. There are about a score of 
 species, not very familiar birds, but one, the Great 
 Jacamar (Jacamerops grandis), the largest of all 
 and the only one with a curved bill, deserves notice. 
 
 J ANANAS (Parridce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Medium-sized marsh birds, with enor- 
 mously long toes and claws, the latter straight. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a turtle-dove to that of a skylark. 
 
 FORM. Bill somewhat pigeon-like, but with no bare 
 swollen skin above nostrils, and corner of mouth 
 not reaching back beyond forehead ; feet with 
 long shanks, legs bare above hock, and toes very 
 long, with no webs at base, and with very long 
 
70 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 straight claws, especially on the hind-toe. Head 
 small, body plump ; wings usually short and rounded, 
 often spurred on the pinion-joint ; tail usually 
 short. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Thick and soft ; often 
 showing metallic colour ; no sexual difference, 
 and a seasonal change only in one species, which 
 is otherwise abnormal. Young, when fledged, 
 different from adult. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy and active, the down streaked above. 
 
 NEST. A mass of rushes, etc., placed on floating 
 vegetation. 
 
 EGGS. Four ; somewhat pear-shaped, glossy, usually 
 marked. 
 
 COURTSHIP. In the only species I have watched 
 (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) the male simply 
 approaches the female in a stooping position. 
 
 FOOD. Insects and water snails, seeds and shoots of 
 water plants. 
 
 GAIT. A walk ; they swim, but slowly, and can dive, 
 using the wings under water. 
 
 FLIGHT. By continuous beats of the wing ; seldom 
 protracted far. Legs and neck extended. 
 
 NOTE. A mew or scream. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They spend all their time 
 on floating vegetation, on which they walk and 
 stand with facility, owing to the long toes ; they 
 turn over the leaves for food. They are not very 
 active, but decidedly pugnacious, fighting with 
 bills and wings. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are exceedingly orna- 
 mental, and some at least are good eating. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They are not very easy to keep ; only 
 one species the Pheasant-tailed has reached 
 Europe alive, and none have been bred. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The Jaganas, 
 of which there are less than a dozen species, occur 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 71 
 
 all round the world in warm climates. They 
 are not migratory. Perhaps the most familiar 
 is an aberrant species, the Pheasant-tailed 
 Jagana, or Water-pheasant (Hydrophasianus 
 chirurgus), of India and the Oriental region 
 generally, a species with long, mostly white wings, 
 and in the breeding season a long black tail and 
 black underparts. The other Indian species, the 
 Bronze- winged (Metopidius indicus), is also well 
 known ; its body-colour is mostly black when 
 adult. The familiar African form is the Lily- 
 trotter (Phyllopezus africanus), chestnut brown, 
 with white neck. The type of the family (Jacana 
 jacana) is a South American bird, with black 
 head, neck and underparts, mahogany-red back, 
 and greenish-yellow quills. 
 
 KAGU (Rhinochetidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. A ground-bird with rather long bill and 
 nostrils overhung by a scroll-like covering. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a fowl. 
 
 FORM. Bill rather long, strong, with nostrils covered 
 as above, mouth cleft nearly to eye ; feet with 
 long shanks, transversely scaled, no webs at base 
 of front toes, hind-toe short and useless; wings 
 short and rounded ; tail moderate. Head and 
 eyes large. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering very powdery, 
 pale grey ; primary quills barred boldly with 
 black, brown and white. No sex difference or 
 seasonal change. Young pencilled with brown. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy, the down variegated. 
 
 EGGS. One only ; spotted. 
 
 INCUBATION. Thirty-six days. 
 
72 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 COURTSHIP. The bird often draws itself up and expands 
 
 its crest, probably a courting gesture. 
 FOOD. Worms, snails, etc. ; it often digs with the 
 
 bill. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run. 
 FLIGHT. Seemingly very weak ; in captivity it seems 
 
 not to try to fly. 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. It is a lively, playful bird, 
 
 fond of rushing about, running after its tail, etc. 
 
 Though nocturnal in the wild state, in captivity 
 
 it is active by day. It bathes freely. 
 NOTE. A curious inward trumpeting sound. 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. It is eaten in its native country, 
 
 and must be useful in destroying vermin. 
 CAPTIVITY. It does well in confinement, feeding on 
 
 meat, and has laid in the London Zoo and 
 
 elsewhere. 
 DISTRIBUTION. New Caledonia only ; there is only 
 
 one species (Rhinochetus jubatus), said to be in 
 
 danger of extinction. 
 
 KINGFISHERS (Alcedinidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds, of medium or small size, 
 with large straight beak and three or four toes ; a 
 hind-toe and two or three, more or less united, in 
 front. 
 
 FORM. Bill usually long, stout, straight (hooked 
 at tip only in Melidora), corner of mouth under 
 eye ; wings short ; tail various ; head large ; feet 
 very small, with very short shanks and inner front 
 toe sometimes wanting ; two outer front toes 
 united. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a crow to that of a tit. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Much varied in colour, 
 often showing much rich glossy blue or green. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 73 
 
 Sexes similar or different ; young much like adults, 
 the sexual difference, if any, appearing at once ; 
 rarely a distinct young plumage. 
 
 YOUNG. Naked and fed by parents ; when the pen- 
 feathers are growing they present a remarkable 
 appearance, the feather-sheaths being like dull 
 silver. They run backwards more readily than 
 forwards. 
 
 NEST. A hole in a bank or dead tree, often burrowed 
 out by the birds themselves. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; roundish, pure glossy white. 
 
 INCUBATION. Two to three weeks. 
 
 COURTSHIP. The tail is raised and the wings slightly 
 drooped, in such species as I have been able to 
 watch (Alcedo ispida and Halcyon smyrnensis). 
 
 FOOD. Small animals, some species diving for fish, 
 crustaceans, etc. ; while others feed on insects, 
 mice, snakes, etc., and others are both land and 
 water feeders. They throw up pellets composed 
 of the bones, scales, etc. Fruit has been seen to 
 be eaten in the case of two species. 
 
 GAIT. They seldom move about much, and most do 
 so by a waddling walk, though a few hop. Gene- 
 rally they remain for a long time on one perch. 
 They rise after a plunge by a violent flap of the 
 wings, and can swim in this way. 
 
 FLIGHT. Generally direct, light and jay-like in the 
 larger species ; swift and darting, with rapid action 
 of the wings, in the small ones. They not only 
 plunge in some cases for their food, but bathe by 
 plunging. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They seem not very in- 
 telligent, owing doubtless to their uniform and 
 lazy way of life, which is mostly passed in waiting 
 for prey to appear. They are usually pugnacious 
 and live solitary. 
 
 NOTE. A piping sound, or a cackle, often very harsh ; 
 
74 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 in the Australian " Laughing Jackass " (Dacelo 
 gigas) very like a coarse laugh. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. The land-feeding species are 
 useful vermin-destroyers ; the fish-eaters are in- 
 jurious in fish-rearing establishments, but not 
 elsewhere, and they are always appreciated as 
 ornaments to scenery. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They are easy to rear on fish and meat, 
 but unless in a large aviary do not usually do well 
 when fledged, knocking themselves about. The 
 " Laughing Jackass " is the only species commonly 
 kept, and lives well. It has hatched young three 
 times in the London Zoological Gardens. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Kingfishers, 
 of which there are about a hundred and fifty 
 species, are found all over the world, but the land- 
 feeding species are confined to the warmer parts of 
 the Old World ; few species of any kind inhabit 
 temperate climates. The only one common in 
 Europe generally is our well-known Alcedo ispida, 
 which extends all across Asia, being common in 
 India, and in North America the grey-and-white 
 Ceryle alcyon ; while the " Laughing Jackass " is 
 familiar in zoological gardens ; in colour it is chiefly 
 brown and dull white. The black-and-white 
 Ceryle rudis is a common bird in India and Africa, 
 as is the blue-and-buff Halcyon vagans in New 
 Zealand. 
 
 KIWIS (Apterygida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Flightless birds of moderate size, with 
 
 very long bills and very small wings. 
 SIZE. About that of a fowl; females larger than 
 
 males. 
 FORM. Bill long, straight, slender, with nostrils at 
 
 the tip, and corner of mouth below eye, whiskered 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 75 
 
 at base ; head and eyes small, neck rather long. 
 Feet with short stout shanks, and three front toes 
 without basal web, and a small rudimentary hind- 
 toe set on above the level of the rest ; thighs large 
 and stout. Wings smaller than in any other bird, 
 bent permanently at the elbow, and not easily 
 seen ; they are furnished with a claw at the tip 
 and with minute soft quill-feathers. No external 
 tail, but oil-gland present. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Very lax and hairy-looking ; no sexual 
 difference ; but the females are larger. 
 
 Head and foot of Kiwi. 
 
 YOUNG. Active and feeding themselves, clad in 
 
 uniform-coloured hairy-looking down. 
 NEST. In a burrow dug out by the female with her 
 
 feet. 
 EGGS. Two, white, of enormous size in proportion 
 
 to the bird. 
 INCUBATION. Said to be six weeks, the male only 
 
 sitting, or rather lying across the eggs. 
 FOOD. Worms, insects, and berries ; gravel is taken 
 
 to aid digestion. They jerk food down the throat 
 
 like an ostrich. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or a quick run. 
 NOTE. A prolonged double whistle, whence the name 
 
 Kiwi (kee-wee). 
 
76 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. Being nocturnal, 
 these birds seem stupid by day. They are, how- 
 ever, tameable. They fight with each other, and 
 with a captor, striking with their sharp claws. 
 The females are fiercest. They can see but little, 
 even at night, but have an acute sense of smell. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. The flesh is edible, and the 
 feeding habits are likely to be of economic use in 
 the destruction of vermin. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They do well in captivity, feeding on 
 minced meat or, indeed, almost any soft food. 
 They have laid eggs in confinement, but not 
 hatched them. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. New Zealand, where four 
 species are found : the Roas (Apteryx mantelli, 
 A. australis), with brown plumage, with lighter 
 longitudinal streaks, and the Kiwis proper (A. 
 oweni, A. haarsi), with barred grey plumage, 
 coloured much like that of a " Plymouth Rock " 
 fowl. 
 
 LIMPKINS (Aramidce}. 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Large rail-like birds, with the first quill 
 having a peculiarly narrowed inner web, and bill 
 slightly curved to one side at the tip. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a large fowl. 
 
 FORM. Bill long, with the nostrils central ; feet with 
 long shanks ; front toes long, with no webs at the 
 base, hind-toe rather short ; wings of moderate 
 size ; tail short. Neck and thighs long. 
 
 PLUMAGE, ETC. General colour brown, with bronzy 
 white streaks ; no sex-difference or seasonal change. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy and active, the down black in colour. 
 
 NEST. Open, made of rushes, etc. 
 
OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
Photo copyright by W. 5. Berridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 Buff Laughing Kingfisher {Dacelo cervina). (Step. 74.) 
 
 This species is slightly smaller than the common Laughing Jackass, with 
 a buff breast and bright blue on the wings and back. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIBBS. 77 
 
 EGGS. Several ; spotted, as in rails. 
 
 FOOD. Chiefly animal snails, worms, etc. 
 
 GAIT. A stately walk. 
 
 FLIGHT. Performed with very powerful flappings. 
 
 NOTE. A loud distressful-sounding scream. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. A shy, retiring, solitary 
 bird, inhabiting marshes. It has the habit of 
 jerking its tail up as rails do, and also perches 
 like them. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. It is good eating. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. The southern species has been exhibited in 
 our Zoological Gardens. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. There are only two species, 
 confined to the warm parts of America, Aramus 
 pictus of the northern part of this range, and 
 A. scolopaceus of South America, known in the 
 Argentine as " Vidua loca " (Crazy Widow). They 
 are much alike, but the northern is more streaked; 
 
 MESITES (Mesitidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. A rather small ground-bird, with small 
 head, short wings, large tail, all three front toes 
 without webs, and hind-toe rather smaller than 
 middle. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a tame dove. 
 
 FORM. Bill rather short and slight, with long nostrils 
 extending from base to middle, corner of mouth 
 under front of eye. Feet with rather long shanks, 
 no webs to front toes ; hind-toe well developed, 
 but shorter than middle one. Wings short, round 
 and soft. Tail rather large and rounded. Head 
 small. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Chestnut-brown, the 
 male being white below, with black spots. 
 
78 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. - 
 
 NEST. On the ground, made of leaves, rushes, or 
 twigs. 
 
 FOOD. Insects, etc. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run. 
 
 FLIGHT. The species is said to be incapable of flying. 
 
 NOTE. A sound like " hoo-hoo " ; but they also have 
 a call-note of several syllables. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are said to be so 
 attached to their young that if these be taken 
 they will follow the captor home. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are probably useful as 
 insect-destroyers. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Madagascar, 
 in the forests of the eastern slope of the mountain- 
 chain. There is only one species (Mesites variegata), 
 which is little known, though not rare in its own 
 country. 
 
 MOTMOTS (Momotidce}. 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds, with saw-edged bill curved 
 in profile, and three front toes more or less united. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a lark to that of a jay. 
 
 FORM. Bill curved in profile, toothed along the edges, 
 corner of mouth below eye ; feet with rather (but 
 not excessively) short shanks, and three toes, more 
 or less united, in front, the hind toe smallest. 
 Wings short and rounded ; tail long, especially 
 the centre feathers. Head large. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. General hue green, the 
 head diversified with blue and black. No sex 
 difference or seasonal change. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless, and fed by parents, presumably. 
 
 NEST. A hole in a bank or tree. 
 
 EGGS. White with a yellowish tinge. 
 
 FOOD. Insects and fruit. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 79 
 
 GAIT. They hop when on the ground, but usually perch, 
 and do not move about much on foot. 
 
 FLIGHT. Easy, but not protracted far. 
 
 NOTE. A sort of hoot, like " hoo-too," whence the 
 name " Houtou " sometimes applied to some of 
 them. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. They are solitary, 
 and not very active, but have some curious traits. 
 Some of the larger species bite away the webs 
 of their central tail-feathers for about an inch near 
 the tip, producing a " racket-shaped " end. They 
 often swing their tail from side to side like a pendu- 
 lum, and then jerk it up over the back. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Of no particular importance ; 
 they no doubt do good in destroying insects. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They have done well at the London 
 Zoological Gardens. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The two dozen 
 species of this family are confined to the warm parts 
 of America, where they inhabit forests. None can 
 be called familiar birds, but the Brazilian Motmot 
 (Momotus brasiliensis) is perhaps the best known ; 
 this and M. subrufescens having been the species 
 kept in London. The small species, with com- 
 paratively shorter tails, form the genus Hylomanes. 
 
 MOUND-BIRDS (Megapodida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Fowl- or partridge-like birds with the two 
 inner front toes } only, connected at the base by a short 
 web, and well-developed hind-toe. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a fowl to that of a partridge. 
 
 FORM. Bill much as in a fowl, but with round open 
 nostrils ; feet strong, with long, nearly straight 
 claws, the two inner front toes united by web at 
 
8o THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 the root, and hind-toe large and set low ; wings 
 short and rounded ; tail medium to short. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Usually sombre, brown or black, and never 
 brilliant. Head often with more or less bare red 
 skin. No sexual difference or seasonal change, 
 and young much like adults. 
 
 YOUNG. Active and feeding themselves, and hatched 
 with wings fully fledged, so that they fly strongly 
 at once and live independently from the first. 
 
 NEST. The eggs are laid either in a mound of vegetable 
 refuse, and scratched up by the birds, or are buried 
 by them in sand. When scratching, the birds do 
 not rake, but seize what they are working in in 
 footfuls, so to speak, and throw it backwards. 
 
 EGGS. Very large for the size of the bird ; spotless, 
 white or pinkish. 
 
 INCUBATION. The eggs take six weeks to hatch ; there 
 is no incubation, the heat of the mound sufficing ; 
 the male, however, turns and airs the eggs. 
 
 COURTSHIP. In the Brush-Turkey the male expands a 
 brilliant yellow wattle at the base of his neck. 
 
 FOOD. Herbage, grain, insects, etc. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy and short ; but some small species 
 seem to be able to make fairly long flights, such as 
 from island to island. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. They seem some- 
 what spiteful and quarrelsome, but not much is 
 known. 
 
 NOTE. Loud and harsh ; in the male Brush-Turkey a 
 boom. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Their flesh and eggs are good ; 
 if they were domesticated they would be valuable 
 poultry, owing to their early maturity. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They live well, and one species, the Brush- 
 Turkey (Catheturus lathami) not unfrequently 
 breeds. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 8l 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The Nicobars 
 to Australia and the Pacific Islands. There are 
 about two dozen species, of which the best-known 
 is the above-mentioned Australian Brush-Turkey, 
 a sooty-brown bird as big as a fowl, with bare 
 red head and fowl-like tail. 
 
 MOUSE-BIRDS OR COLIES. (Coliida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Small long-tailed tree-birds, with four- 
 toed feet, the toes with no special direction. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a sparrow, exclusive of the long 
 tail. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, stout, upper outline arched, corner 
 of mouth below front of eye ; feet with short shanks 
 and four strongly-clawed toes, the first and fourth 
 sometimes directed forward, sometimes backward ; 
 wings short and rounded ; tail long and graduated ; 
 head always crested. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Soft and loose, drab in colour, almost 
 uniform. Feet and base of bill often red. No 
 sexual or seasonal difference ; young like parents. 
 
 YOUNG. Naked and helpless. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; pure white or spotted with red. 
 
 NEST. A simple open structure of twigs in a bush. 
 
 FOOD. Fruit and buds, sometimes insects. 
 
 GAIT. They seldom leave the trees, where they creep 
 about like mice, resting on the whole shank, and 
 clinging in any position, sleeping back downwards ; 
 on the ground they hop, resting on their hocks 
 still. 
 
 FLIGHT. Weak, effected by alternate fluttering of the 
 wings and skimming. 
 
 NOTE. A harsh chatter. 
 
82 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. Very sociable, 
 
 always in flocks. They sleep huddled together. 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are destructive birds 
 
 where fruit is grown, but esteemed as food by the 
 
 Kaffirs. 
 CAPTIVITY. They are seldom seen in this condition, 
 
 but are easy to keep. They have not been bred. 
 DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. Africa, south of the 
 
 Sahara, in wooded and bushy country. There 
 
 are fourteen species, very similar in general 
 
 appearance. 
 
 NIGHTJARS (Caprimulgida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Birds with very small beak and wide mouth, 
 and small feet, with all front toes joined at base. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a pheasant to that of a lark. 
 
 FORM. Beak very small, with tubular nostrils and corner 
 of the wide mouth beneath eye ; feet with short 
 shanks, and all front toes webbed at base ; hind- 
 toe small. Wings usually long ; tail various, 
 generally rather long. Head large and flat, with 
 large eyes ; neck short ; body very small. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Feathering soft, very minutely variegated, 
 producing a bark -like effect, in drab or brown ; 
 little sex-difference, when any is present, and no 
 seasonal change ; young much like adults. Bristly 
 feathers along the mouth commonly found, and 
 some of the wing-feathers abnormal in certain 
 species. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy, and capable of some activity, but 
 fed by the parents. Down variegated, pattern 
 protective. 
 
 NEST. None ; the eggs being laid on the bare ground. 
 
 EGGS. Two ; variegated, resembling pebbles. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 83 
 
 INCUBATION. About a fortnight. 
 
 FOOD. Insects, generally captured on the wing. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or hop ; but they seldom move much 
 on foot. When perching, they sit along the bough, 
 not across it. 
 
 FLIGHT. Very light and easy ; most of their active 
 life is spent on the wing. 
 
 NOTE. Remarkable and characteristic, and varying 
 much according to the species ; often like articulate 
 sounds. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. The birds being generally 
 nocturnal, these are not much known. They are 
 usually solitary, and keep quiet by day. Some 
 have a habit of making a noise by clapping their 
 wings together in flight. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Nightjars are some of the most 
 useful of birds as insect-destroyers, and do no 
 harm whatsoever. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They are difficult to keep, as they generally 
 refuse to feed themselves ; but our species (Capri- 
 mulgus eiiropaeus] has been maintained for some 
 time. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Nightjars, 
 of which there are about a hundred and twenty 
 species, are found all round the world, chiefly in the 
 tropics ; those of temperate climates are migra- 
 tory. Their notes afford the most striking distinc- 
 tion ; the purring sound produced by the European 
 species is well known, also the " chook-chook," 
 resembling a stone sent skimming over ice, of the 
 common Indian species (Caprimulgus asiaticus), 
 and the curious calls of the American Whip-poor - 
 Will (C. vociferus) and Chuck- Will's -widow (C. 
 carolinensis). The Night-hawk (C. popelue), also 
 American, is to a great extent a diurnal species. 
 
 6* 
 
8 4 
 
 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 OSTRICHES (Struthionidce}. 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Two-toed birds of gigantic size and in- 
 capable of flight. 
 
 SIZE. The largest of living birds, standing seven or 
 more feet high. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, straight, flat ; the corner of mouth 
 beneath centre of eye. Legs with the thigh (really 
 the tibial segment) prominent and very stout ; 
 shank long and stout ; two toes only present (the 
 third and fourth), the inner largest and alone pro- 
 
 Foot of Ostrich. 
 
 vided with a claw ; the toes are united at the base 
 by a web, and the basal joints are raised above the 
 ground when the bird walks, a unique peculiarity 
 in the class. Wings small, only bent at the 
 elbow, clawed on the first two fingers, and carried 
 loosely. Neck exceedingly long, body meagre. 
 Tail well feathered. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Loose and decomposed, even the quills of 
 the tail and wings ; there are no feathers under the 
 wings, or on the sides and thighs, and on the head 
 and neck only hair-like ones. Hair-like feathers 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 85 
 
 also form eyelashes. Male black and white, female 
 drab. Young mottled with buff. 
 
 YOUNG. Active and feeding themselves. The head 
 and neck clothed with grey down marked with 
 black, the body with bristly- or spiny-looking 
 down. 
 
 NEST. A hollow scratched out in the sand by the 
 male. 
 
 EGGS. Numerous, creamy-white, rounded ovals, highly 
 polished. 
 
 INCUBATION. Lasting about six weeks, the male 
 sitting by night, the female by day. 
 
 COURTSHIP. The male, when courting, bellows, in- 
 flating his neck, and raising his wings above his 
 back to a perpendicular position. He also rolls his 
 head and wings from side to side. 
 
 FOOD. Chiefly grass and other herbage, with various 
 small animals. Any sort of hard substance is 
 taken to assist digestion. 
 
 GAIT. A fast springy walk or run, the latter being the 
 swiftest gait among land animals. Ostriches can 
 also swim well if pressed. The wings are, of 
 course, quite useless for flight, and do not even aid 
 in running. 
 
 NOTE. Usually a hiss, but the male bellows, or 
 " broms," in the breeding season. 
 
 DISPOSITION, HABITS, ETC. Ostriches are stupid and 
 nervous, though tameable ; they are very fond of 
 " waltzing," especially when young. The male is 
 very dangerous in the breeding season, when he 
 fights his own sex and other animals, including 
 man, striking forward and downward with one 
 foot. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. The soft filmy wing- and tail- 
 quills of ostriches, especially the males, have 
 always been favourite objects for decoration. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. The ostrich has been completely domes- 
 
86 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 ticated both at the Cape and elsewhere, in order 
 to obtain its plumes regularly. No distinct breeds, 
 however, have as yet been formed. 
 DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. Africa and Arabia, in 
 open sandy tracts. Several local forms are de- 
 scribed, but it is doubtful if the differences are of 
 specific importance. The typical Stmthio camelus 
 is the North African race. 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds, with short hooked bill and 
 bristled or feathered toes not united by webs at the 
 base ; the fourth toe with a backward inclination. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a sparrow to that of a hen turkey. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, strong, hooked, with a cere at 
 base, corner of mouth extending to below eye ; 
 face broad, covered with bristly feathers, which 
 usually conceal the base of the bill, and usually 
 surrounded by a frill or ruff of small stiff feathers ; 
 feet strong, with medium or short shanks, usually 
 feathered, with four toes, all powerfully clawed, 
 the hind-toe smallest, the fourth or outer front 
 one always turned rather back, especially in 
 perching ; wings short to very long, rounded ; 
 tail medium or short ; head large, in many species 
 furnished with two crests, the so-called " horns " 
 or " ears " ; body light. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Very soft, sombre in colour, usually grey 
 or brown, often finely variegated. No sexual 
 difference, and seldom a distinct young plumage ; 
 but the hens are usually larger, and there is much 
 individual variation, many species showing light 
 and dark, or grey and reddish, forms. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless and fed by parents, clad in very 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 87 
 
 fluffy down, at first white in colour, but afterwards 
 sometimes buff, grey, or even sooty. A nestful 
 often shows very different sizes, owing to hatching 
 at different times. 
 
 NEST. None as a rule, the eggs being laid in a hole of 
 a tree, rock, or building, on the ground, or in the 
 nest of some other bird. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; glossy, spotless white. 
 
 INCUBATION. About a month. 
 
 COURTSHIP. The Tawny Owl bows and spreads its tail 
 like a pigeon. 
 
 FOOD. Small vertebrates, especially rats and mice ; 
 rarely fish ; but often insects. They cast up 
 pellets of the indigestible parts. They seize and 
 hold their prey with the feet. 
 
 GAIT. A walk, usually awkward, with occasional hops. 
 Some species run well, and all perch freely on occa- 
 sion, though some naturally live away from trees. 
 
 FLIGHT. Soft and noiseless, but not very fast as a 
 rule. Some at any rate soar strongly, and some 
 small species have an undulating flight. The feet 
 are extended behind. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They have been credited 
 with the opposite qualities of wisdom and stupidity. 
 Their awkward -looking movements of the head 
 suggest the latter, and also that they are dazzled 
 by light ; but they can really see well in the day, 
 and are quite as intelligent as hawks, and more 
 courageous. They often lay up superfluous food 
 for future occasions. They bathe and dust, but 
 seldom drink. 
 
 NOTE. Commonly unpleasant, a screech or howl ; 
 but very varied, the " hoots " of some being musical 
 enough. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. No birds are as a family more 
 useful or deserving of protection, owing to their 
 destruction of vermin ; but some of the large 
 
88 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 Eagle -Owls are seriously destructive to game and 
 poultry. A few are eaten locally. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They bear captivity excellently, and 
 often breed in that condition ; the great Eagle - 
 Owl (Bubo maximus) has been thus bred for several 
 generations. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. There are 
 about three hundred species of Owls, and they are 
 found all over the world. Some individual species, 
 as the Barn-Owl (Strix flammea) and the Short-eared 
 Owl (Asio brachyotus) are also almost world-wide 
 in distribution ; the latter is also migratory a 
 rare habit in the family. Besides the Barn-Owl, 
 the Brown Owl (Syrnium aluco) is common in Britain 
 and Europe generally. The Little Owl (Athene 
 noctua), a small species about as big as a black- 
 bird, spotted brown-and-white, is a very familiar 
 Continental form, now locally common in England 
 by introduction ; in India the very similar A. brama, 
 barred instead of streaked below, replaces it. The 
 Barn-Owl is often called Screech-Owl, but the 
 Screech-Owl of North America is a small " horned " 
 species (Scops asio). An Eagle -Owl (Bubo vir- 
 ginianus) is also a well-known American species ; 
 and the commonest Owl at the Cape (Bubo 
 maculosus) also belongs to the Eagle-Owl group. 
 The Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia) inhabits 
 the plain districts of America ; it is much like 
 the Little Owl of the Old World, but with longer 
 legs. 
 
 PARROTS (Psittadd&). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Pair-toed birds with a very short, strongly- 
 hooked beak, with movable upper jaw. 
 
 SIZE. From less than a tit to that of an ordinary fowl, 
 approximately. 
 
Photo copyright by IV, P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 Australian Barn Owl (Strix flanimea delicatula). (See p. 88.) 
 
 This race is of large size and has hardly any buff, but very distinct white 
 spots and pure white breast. The attitude is characteristic of an 
 Owl at bay. [To face p. 88. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 89 
 
 FORM. Bill very short, strongly hooked, with a cere 
 at the base ; feet with the shanks short or very 
 short, always covered with many small scales, 
 and four well-developed toes, the first and fourth 
 turned back, the second and third forward ; no 
 webs ; wings varying from short to long ; tail 
 short to very long. Head large ; neck short ; 
 body small. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Firm, and often powdery ; 
 colour very variable, usually brilliant ; the prevailing 
 
 Head and foot of Parrot. 
 
 colour is grass- or leaf -green, olive-green and brown 
 being rare. Grey, black, and white are found, also 
 red, yellow, blue, and purple. A metallic gloss is 
 hardly ever to be seen. No seasonal change ; 
 sexual differences comparatively rare. The young 
 usually resemble the adult female, but have darker 
 eyes ; but some have a distinct immature plumage. 
 YOUNG. Very helpless, naked at first, afterwards 
 sometimes clothed in fluffy down without markings ; 
 they are fed by the parents, placing their bills in 
 those of the latter. 
 
go THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 NEST. Usually none, a hole being dug out in a tree 
 or bank, or an already existing one taken ad- 
 vantage of. 
 
 A few species of Love-birds (Agapornis) line the 
 nest with shreds of bark, and one, the Quaker 
 Parrakeet (Myiopsittacus monachus) makes com- 
 munistic nests of twigs, inhabited by several 
 pairs, each of which has its own apartment. 
 
 EGGS. Two or more ; white, glossy, and unspotted. 
 
 INCUBATION. Sixteen days (Budgerigar) to twenty-five 
 days (Blue-and-yellow Macaw). 
 
 COURTSHIP. Demonstrative, the tail being usually 
 spread, but not raised, and the wings slightly 
 opened ; but the attitudes vary ; the Cockatoos 
 raise the wings and lower the head with erected 
 crest. 
 
 FOOD. Mainly vegetable, and procured in trees ; 
 seeds, fruit, buds, and honey and pollen being eaten. 
 Many seed-eaters feed on the ground on grass- 
 seed, some on roots. Insects, chiefly wood-boring 
 grubs, seem to be eaten a good deal. 
 
 GAIT. Usually an awkward waddle, few species 
 coming much to the ground ; but the Lories hop 
 when there. The species which habitually feed on 
 the ground, like some Cockatoos and Parrakeets, 
 run about as actively as pigeons. In the boughs all 
 use their beaks in climbing about from place to 
 place. 
 
 FLIGHT. This varies a great deal, in the rapidity of 
 the wing-strokes, which are usually quick, and in 
 the speed, which is usually considerable. They 
 sail at times, but not very far. One species, the 
 Owl Parrot, of New Zealand, is flightless. The 
 feet and neck are extended in flight. 
 
 NOTE. Usually a scream, sometimes very harsh ; 
 but many have quite mellow voices. In captivity 
 many, if not most species, display a great imitative 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 91 
 
 capacity, and their fame as talkers is very ancient ; 
 but they do not seem to be mimics in a wild state, 
 curiously enough. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Their intelligence is well- 
 known, as also their malice and spitefulness ; but 
 in spite of the latter quality they are usually 
 social. They differ from most perching birds in 
 not bathing in many cases, though enjoying 
 rain. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are often extremely 
 destructive to grain and fruit crops ; but they 
 do some good by devouring grubs and seeds of 
 weeds. Many are eaten locally, and there is, of 
 course, a great demand for them as cage-birds. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. For ages Parrots have been most familiar 
 cage-birds, as none thrive better in this condition ; 
 many have bred, especially the small long-tailed 
 " Parrakeets," some of which propagate regularly, 
 but only one, the Budgerigar (Melopsittacus 
 undulatus) can be called completely domesticated. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Parrots, of 
 which there are about five hundred species, are 
 found all round the world, chiefly in warm climates, 
 and especially in tropical America, whence come 
 the Macaws (Ara) and Amazons (Chrysotis), and in 
 the Australian region, to which last the brush- 
 tongued Lories (Loriincz) and the crested Cockatoos 
 (Cacatuince) are confined. A few range into 
 temperate climates, in New Zealand, North 
 America, and southern South America. They are 
 hardly ever migratory, and some are much localized ; 
 indeed, several have become extinct in modern 
 times. 
 
 Of the typical Parrots, the familiar Grey Parrot 
 (Psittacus erithacus) is a common and widely- 
 ranging species in Equatorial Africa ; but Africa, 
 as a whole, has but few species of Parrots, and 
 
92 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 the same applies to Continental Asia. The most 
 abundant Asiatic species is the green Ring-necked 
 Parrakeet (Palceornis torquatus) of India and 
 adjoining countries, the only one of the family 
 which comes into towns ; a scarcely distinguishable 
 race of this (P. docilis) extends across Africa, so 
 it may claim to be the commonest of the family, 
 and is, besides, a familiar cage-bird. The Rosella 
 (Platycercus eximius), a species about the size of 
 a dove, and exhibiting all the colours of the rain- 
 bow, is a very familiar Australian bird, and breeds 
 in captivity. In New Zealand, the mountain- 
 haunting Kea (Nestor notabilis), a bird about the 
 size of a crow, olive-green, with a long bill, has 
 attained notoriety by its attacks on sheep this 
 and the forest-haunting brown Kaka (N. 
 meridionalis) form a group by themselves. The 
 most familiar of the Cockatoos are the Rose- 
 breasted or Galah (Cacatua roseicapilla) , about 
 as large as a wood-pigeon, with a grey back, and 
 the large white Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (C. 
 galerita), both Australian. The Lories are less 
 familiar ; but one, the Blue Mountain Lorikeet 
 (Trichoglossus novce-zealandice) , of the size of 
 a dove, with purple head, flame-coloured breast, 
 and green upper parts, is familiar both wild in 
 Australia and in captivity. 
 
 PASSERINE BIRDS (Passeridce}. 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Birds with the hind-toe and claw as large 
 as, and usually larger than, any of the front ones. 
 
 SIZE. From about three inches long to the size of a 
 fowl. 
 
 FORM. Bill very variously formed, but with the nostrils 
 near the base and the corner of mouth below front 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 93 
 
 of eye ; feet slight, with shanks never excessively 
 long, and covered with few and large scales, 
 all three front toes generally present and free, 
 hind-toe with claw usually larger than any of them ; 
 wings varying, but always with the upper- and fore- 
 arm segments short ; tail varying, usually of twelve 
 feathers, and very commonly more or less forked, 
 usually of fair length. Head large ; body light. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering soft, very 
 varied in colour ; olive-green (rare in other 
 families) and brown being the commonest tints, 
 though all others found in birds occur ; often a 
 sex-difference or a seasonal change, the latter 
 usually in males only. Young sometimes like 
 adults, sometimes with a distinct plumage, which 
 is generally spotted or streaked. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless and either naked or but scantily 
 provided with hairy-looking down, except in 
 Lyre-birds ; they gape for food, and the inside 
 of mouth thus revealed is often brilliantly coloured ; 
 corners of mouth soft and expanded. 
 
 NEST. Varying much, but always more or less 
 elaborate ; most often an open cup, but frequently 
 domed, and often hanging. Some build mud 
 nests, and some burrow ; but all these usually 
 line their nests, unlike most other hole-building 
 birds. 
 
 EGGS. Smooth and oval ; two or more in number, 
 self-coloured or spotted ; even in allied forms 
 there is often much difference, more than in whole 
 families elsewhere. 
 
 INCUBATION. Twelve days to three weeks. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Various, 'and not so often noticeable as 
 in other groups as a rule. Purring out of the 
 feathers is a common form of display. 
 
 FOOD. Most commonly insects and other small 
 animals, and berries ; some eat seeds and herbage, 
 
94 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 but almost all feed the young chiefly on insects 
 and such-like, whatever the adult diet may be. 
 
 GAIT. Generally a hop, but some ground-feeding 
 forms, and the aerial Swallows, walk ; some, as 
 the large Thrushes, both walk and hop ; most species 
 . move very actively among boughs, and all can 
 perch on occasion. The Dippers (Cinclus] can 
 swim and dive. 
 
 FLIGHT. Generally undulating and very characteristic, 
 the wings being alternately closed, causing a 
 drop, and then rapidly moved ; but the large 
 species flap regularly. The neck is drawn in and 
 the feet tucked up in front during flight. 
 
 NOTE. Extremely varied, and often very melodious, 
 nearly all singing-birds belonging to this family ; 
 many have great imitative powers, and exercise 
 these even in a wild state, while some can be taught 
 to talk when tamed, such as the Starlings. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. They are the 
 liveliest and most active of all birds, and often 
 very intelligent ; some are solitary, others 
 social ; most keep near cover. Many are pugna- 
 cious ; in fighting they do not use the wings, only 
 grappling with the claws and pecking. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Most are useful insect- 
 destroyers, especially so as, being chiefly perchers, 
 they feed on insects other birds do not reach ; 
 some seed- and fruit-eating species are often 
 destructive, but the former do good also by 
 destroying seeds of weeds. Some are used as 
 food many, indeed, on the Continent. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. Most cage birds, other than parrots, 
 belong to this family ; but they are not very free 
 breeders in captivity as a rule, and only three 
 species have been domesticated, all Finches 
 the Canary (Serinus canaria), the Java Sparrow 
 (Munia oryzivora), and the Sharp- tailed Finch or 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 95 
 
 Bengalee (Uroloncha acuticauda). A white breed 
 of the Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula] appears to 
 exist on the Continent. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The Passerine 
 birds comprise more than half the known species 
 of the bird class, and are in most countries the most 
 numerous in species and individuals ; they are 
 found all over the world ; a large number are 
 migratory. Few individual species, however, have 
 the wide distribution often found in other groups ; 
 the most widely-ranging bird of the family is our 
 Sand-martin (Cotile riparia), found, according to 
 season, all over the northern hemisphere. 
 
 The numerous subdivisions of this huge family 
 are commonly treated as families, but this is mis- 
 leading, as they are only of subfamily value. With 
 the exception of a few, such as the Swallows, 
 they are very difficult to define exactly, their 
 limits being in many cases quite undefined, and 
 being differently assigned by different authors. 
 The arrangement given below in which the sub- 
 families are arranged in alphabetical order may 
 be taken as fairly representing the usual view of 
 what are distinct groups and what species may be 
 assigned to them. But to learn the sub-groups 
 of Passerine birds it is before everything necessary 
 first to make the acquaintance of typical species 
 of the various divisions, such as those given under 
 each heading. 
 
 American Warblers (Mniotiltincz) are small delicately- 
 shaped birds of, usually, tree-haunting and insectivor- 
 ous habits, much like the Old World warblers in form 
 and size ; but they show gay and varied colours, and 
 as they are only found in the New World, are the less 
 likely to be confused with the true Warblers. They 
 
96 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 appear to grade into the Tanagers (Tanagrince) on the 
 one hand and the Sugar-Birds (Ccerebina) on the other. 
 Their nests are open and cup-shaped as a rule. 
 
 They are usually migratory, the majority breeding in 
 the Northern portions of the American Continent. 
 
 The most familiar species is the Golden Warbler 
 (Dendroica aestiva), olive-green, with bright yellow 
 head and underparts. 
 
 The Black-and-white Creeper (Mniotilta varia) gets 
 its name from its colours and habits ; it is a climbing 
 species. The so-called American Redstart (Setophaga 
 ruticilla) is one of this subfamily ; it has the base 
 of the tail and a bar on the wings richly coloured, 
 red in the male, yellow in the female. 
 
 The Water-thrush (Seiurus naevius) is much like a 
 Pipit in appearance, gait and actions, but olive above 
 and faint yellow below. 
 
 The Oven-Bird (Seiurus auncapillus), not to be con- 
 fused with the true Oven-Bird of South America, much 
 resembles a small Song- thrush, with a rusty crown 
 and black eyebrows. 
 
 These two last species walk instead of hopping. 
 
 All the above birds but the Black-and-white Creeper 
 have been exhibited in the London Zoological Gardens, 
 where they arrived by exchange with those of New 
 York. 
 
 The Ant-birds (Formicariince) of South America do 
 not appear to restrict themselves specially to a diet of 
 ants, although undoubtedly insectivorous. In general 
 habits they seem to approach the Babblers of the Old 
 World, as well as in form, but may be distinguished by 
 the separate scaling of the back of the shank, the 
 Babblers having this covered by a continuous plate 
 in the usual way. They build open nests, and are even 
 less melodious than the Babblers ; their beak is usually 
 stouter and more hooked than in those birds, and their 
 plumage commonly barred across with light and dark. 
 
11 
 
 * 
 
 & *2 9- 
 
 a 
 
TY I 
 
 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 97 
 
 They are not a well-known group, but some species 
 attract attention by their barred plumage, like that 
 figured, the largest of the group (Batara cinerea). 
 
 Babblers (Crateropodince] are widely spread over the 
 warm parts of the Old World. Except for their soft 
 loose plumage, short wings, and coarser bill and feet, 
 they much resemble the Thrushes and Warblers, but 
 differ much in some habits, especially in frequently 
 using one foot to hold food, and in being exceedingly 
 sociable and affectionate, and often very noisy. The 
 
 Outline of Babbler. 
 
 most familiar to European eyes is the pretty little 
 cage-bird from China and the Himalayas commonly 
 sold as the Pekin Robin or Japanese Nightingale 
 (Liothrix luteus) ; but it appears probable that the 
 Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus), a European 
 and even British bird, is really an outlying member of 
 this family, as is also the Wren-tit (Chamcea fasciata) 
 of California. It is agreed that neither of these birds 
 really are Tits. Babblers usually build open nests, and 
 often lay unspotted blue eggs, like our Hedge-Sparrow 
 (Accentor modularis), which may perhaps properly be 
 classed here, though usually placed among the 
 Thrushes. 
 
 The only three- toed Passerine bird (Cholornis 
 
 7 
 
0,8 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 paradoxa), in which the outer front-toe is missing, is a 
 Babbler. 
 
 The best-known species, owing to its popularity 
 as a cage-bird, is the above-mentioned Liothrix ; it 
 is about as large as a Sparrow, olive-green above 
 and pale yellow below, with orange on the breast and 
 wings. It is exceptional among Babblers in having a 
 forked tail ; it has bred in captivity. The " Seven 
 Sisters " (Crater opus canorus) are familiar birds in 
 India. This species is rather larger than a Thrush, 
 with dusty-drab plumage, and white eyes, bill and feet. 
 Another common Eastern Babbler is the Rat-bird 
 (Argya caudata), coloured like a Lark, and not much 
 larger, with a long Magpie-like tail. The large Grey 
 Babbler (A. malcolmi) is less widely distributed; it 
 is as big as a Dove, pale grey, with yellow eyes and 
 white outer tail-feathers. The little White-eyes or 
 Blight-birds (Zoster ops], much like Willow- wrens, with 
 a white ring round the eyes, extending from Africa 
 eastwards to Japan and New Zealand, apparently belong 
 to this group. 
 
 Birds of Paradise (Paradiseitue) are really gaudily- 
 dressed Crows, since in general size, form and habits 
 they much resemble Jays ; the feathering at the base 
 of the bill, however, is velvety instead of bristly, and 
 the body-plumage in the males is often wonderfully 
 gorgeous in colour and elaborate in form, long plumes or 
 tufts of plumes, which are purely ornamental, being 
 frequent, especially on the head or flanks. The body 
 plumage in many species is much like velvet in appear- 
 ance and texture, or brilliantly metallic. These birds, 
 which inhabit New Guinea and the adjacent countries, 
 build simple open nests, and have loud powerful voices. 
 They go through elaborate courting displays, the males 
 showing off their special adornments. When young the 
 sexes are alike. 
 
 Several species are not only well-known as skins, 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 99 
 
 but have been kept in captivity, which they bear 
 remarkably well. The best known and largest is the 
 Great Emerald Bird of Paradise (Paradisea apoda), 
 of the size of a Rook, chocolate with yellow head and 
 green throat, and long orange-yellow flank-plumes. 
 The hen has no decorative colours, being simply a 
 brown bird. Its note is a loud bawling " wawk-wawk." 
 The King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) is of 
 the size of a Thrush, velvety-scarlet above and white 
 below, with tail short short for the most part, but 
 provided with two long wire-like feathers with curled 
 green tips. He has very short drab side-plumes 
 tipped with green. The hen is brown above and 
 dun closely barred with black below. This is the most 
 abundant and widely-spread species, and, as it does not 
 keep so high in the trees, the oftenest seen. Both of 
 these, as well as the Red and Twelve-wired species, 
 have been exhibited at the Zoo. 
 
 Bower -birds (Ptilonorhynchincz), inhabiting the 
 Australian region, are closely allied to the Birds of 
 Paradise, and much resemble large Thrushes in general 
 form, but usually have a stouter bill, often closely 
 feathered at the base. Their plumage is seldom 
 gorgeous, but they are interesting for the remarkable 
 " bowers " or playing-places which they build and 
 decorate with various objects. The real nest is an 
 ordinary cup-shaped structure. These birds feed 
 chiefly on fruit, and the main interest in their habits 
 lies in the bower-building instinct, whereby in this 
 particular respect they are raised nearer to man than 
 any other animals, since no other creature builds a 
 house and decorates its precincts merely for social 
 amusement. 
 
 The bower varies much in construction according 
 to the species. The best-known, the Satin-Bird 
 (Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus), makes an avenue of 
 twigs about which it strews feathers, bones, shells, 
 
 7* 
 
100 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 bright pebbles, etc. This bird is of the size of a Jack- 
 daw, deep satiny-blue in the adult male, dull green 
 above and mottled below in the female. It does well 
 in captivity, and may generally be seen at the Zoo. 
 The Regent-Bird (Sericulus mellinus), about the size of 
 a Dove, intense black and golden yellow in the male, 
 and brown above and mottled below in the female, 
 merely covers a cleared space with leaves. This has 
 been bred in captivity in England by Mr. R. Phillipps. 
 
 The Gardener-Bird (Amblyornis subalaris), brown with 
 a huge orange crest in the male, has not been imported 
 alive ; it builds a hut round the base of a small tree, 
 and makes a meadow of moss in front, strewn with 
 flowers, buds, etc. It is found in New Guinea. 
 
 Broadbills (Eurylaemince) are a small but very 
 distinct group of tree-haunting birds inhabiting 
 South-east Asia and the East Indian Islands. They 
 are thick-set in form, with short wings and legs, and 
 short, but usually large and broad beaks. The two 
 outer front toes are united at the base. The plumage, 
 which is usually brilliant with a peculiar gloss, differs 
 little according to age or sex. The nest is a covered 
 hanging structure, with a sort of tail below, and the 
 eggs are usually spotted. These birds feed on insects 
 or fruit ; none have ever, so far as I know, been brought 
 to Europe alive. Two species are fairly familiar as 
 stuffed-birds, Eurylaemus javanicus, black and yellow 
 above and puce-colour on the head and below, and 
 Cymborhynchus macrorhynchus, black above and crimson 
 below, with a blue bill. 
 
 Bulbuls (PycnonotincB) are very characteristic of 
 the warm parts of Asia and Africa. They have bills 
 of medium size and tails of considerable length, and 
 are often crested ; they are usually brown or olive- 
 green in colour, frequently there is a patch of red or 
 yellow under the tail, and these feathers are puffed 
 out when the bird is excited. They are mainly fruit- 
 
THE IWORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 IOI 
 
 eaters, and build open nests in bushes ; their eggs are 
 often pink with red spots. Sometimes classed with 
 the Babblers, they are certainly nearly related to them 
 through some more or less intermediate forms, but in 
 general habits they are very different, since they fly 
 about much more and do not keep so much to cover. 
 
 Outline of Bulbul. 
 
 The Red-eared Bulbuls (Otocompsa emeria and jocosa) 
 are widely-spread in India and Burma. They are brown 
 above and white below, with a long black crest and 
 red patches on the cheeks and under the tail. The 
 Red-vented Bulbuls (Molpastes h&morrkous and allies) 
 are locally commoner ; they are dark in plumage, 
 with black heads, and crimson under the tail. The 
 common African species have this patch yellow. 
 
102 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 The Green Bulbuls (Chloropsis) are bright leaf-green, 
 and have long tongues with which they sip honey ; 
 the best known is the Gold-fronted (C. aurifrons). 
 Bulbuls do well in captivity, and a few species have 
 bred, including the Palestine Bulbul (Pycnonotus 
 xanthopygus), which has a fine song, somewhat like that 
 of the Nightingale The name Bulbul, by the way, 
 properly indicates this bird or one of its Eastern 
 representatives. 
 
 Chatterers (Cotingince) form a group confined to 
 America, and almost entirely to its southern portion. 
 
 Outline of Bell-Bird. 
 
 Their bill varies in form, but has a wide gape and is often 
 small, although at times somewhat crow-like ; their shanks 
 are usually covered with numerous small scales behind. 
 This group includes many very brilliant and many 
 equally curious forms, such as the Cocks-of- the- Rock 
 (Rupicola), orange or red birds as large as Pigeons ; 
 the black Umbrella-Birds (Cephalopterus), and the 
 Bell-Birds (Chasmorhynchus). Some of these are large 
 for Passerine birds, the Common Umbrella-Bird 
 equalling a Crow. Their nesting-habits vary, but 
 their ways of life as a whole are little known. Their 
 food consists of fruit, with insects and other small 
 
THE ^WORLD'S BIRDS. 103 
 
 animals. A familiar species is the Naked-throated 
 Bell-Bird (Chasmorhynchiis nudicollis), of the size 
 of a Dove, white, with bare green face in the male, 
 olive-green in the female, with a remarkable metallic 
 note ; it is usually on view in the Zoological Gardens, 
 where the common Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola croced) 
 has also been exhibited. 
 
 Creepers (Certhiincz) are small birds ranging over 
 most of the world except South America. Their bill 
 is slender, and may be straight or curved; the outer 
 front toe is nearly as long as the middle one. They are 
 insect-eating climbers, place their nests in crevices, and 
 are usually brown in colour, like our familiar Tree- 
 creeper (Certhia familiaris), which is found all round the 
 Northern Hemisphere. The grey Wall-creeper (Ticho- 
 droma muraria), with rose-coloured marking on the 
 wings, is, however, an Old World species of Alpine 
 haunts. Both have been kept in captivity. 
 
 Crows (Corvintz) are large birds for the Passerine 
 family, the biggest Ravens equalling a good-sized 
 fowl, and the smallest a Thrush. They have strong 
 and usually stout bills, with the nostrils generally 
 concealed by forwardly directed bristles. Their feet 
 are strong, and are used to hold down food while they 
 eat. Birds of this group are notably omnivorous, 
 and are usually social. There is no sex- difference 
 or seasonal change throughout the group. The nests 
 are generally open, and the eggs spotted. Many walk 
 when on the ground, and the flight has not the undulat- 
 ing character usual among Passerine birds. One type 
 or other of the group is found everywhere, but the 
 Magpies and Jays are absent from Australia, and the 
 typical Crows from South America. 
 
 These typical forms are always at least as big as 
 Pigeons, with long wings and moderate tails ; their 
 plumage is generally black, as in the Carrion Crow 
 (Corvus corone) of the Old World, the American Crow 
 
104 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 (C. americanus) and the Raven (C. corax) of both 
 hemispheres. The Crow of Australia (C. australis) 
 is also all black, but with white eyes. The common 
 species of Africa (C. scapulatus) has a broad white 
 collar, and the Indian House-crow (C. splendens) 
 a grey neck. This last is a very glossy species, and of 
 rather small size, like the Jackdaw of Europe and North 
 Asia (C. monedula), which has also a grey neck, but a 
 short beak and white eyes. The Hooded Crow (C. 
 comix), widely spread in the Old World, has the head, 
 wings and tail alone black, the body grey. Rooks 
 (Trypanocorax) have the face bare. 
 
 Of the Magpies, with long graduated tail and short 
 wings, our common species (Pica pica) ranges all round 
 the Northern Hemisphere ; the Common Indian Pie 
 (Dendrocitta rufa) belongs to a more arboreal group and 
 is cinnamon, with smoky-grey head and silver-grey and 
 black wings and tail. The Blue Pies (Urocissa) are 
 mountain-haunting Asiatic species, with very long 
 tails, blue plumage and red bills. 
 
 The Jays comprise species with short wings and 
 medium tail, our own well-known Jay (Garrulus 
 glandarius) ranging to Persia, and replaced by very 
 similar forms as far as Japan. The North American 
 Blue- jay (Cyanocorax cristatus) is a much more familiar 
 bird than our species is here; and the Whisky-jack 
 (Perisoreus canadensis), a plain grey bird, about as big 
 as a blackbird, is well known in Canada. 
 
 Drongos (Dicrurina) are much like the typical stout- 
 billed Shrikes, but differ in their forked tails, plumage 
 generally glossy black throughout (rarely grey) and in 
 only having ten tail-feathers, whereas twelve is the 
 usual number in Passerine birds. They watch for 
 insect food from a perch, seldom hopping about. They 
 are found almost throughout warm regions in the Old 
 World, and make themselves conspicuous by their 
 attacks on other birds, often in defence of their open 
 
-/ 
 
 Photo copyright by W. S. Berridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 American Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristafa). (Seep. 104.) 
 
 The Blue Jay is smaller than our bird, and of some shade or other of blue 
 all over, varied with black and white. 
 
 [To face p. 104. 
 
s 
 
 Is 
 
 ^ ! o 
 
 IMS 
 
 l| 
 
 -e ^^ 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 105 
 
 nests high up in a tree. The best known is the King 
 Crow of India and eastwards (Dicrurus-ater), represented 
 by a very similar race in Africa. It is about as large as 
 a Starling, and commonly seen perched on telegraph- 
 wires or the backs of animals. The Bhimraj, or Racket- 
 tailed Drongo (Dissemurus paradiseus), remarkable for 
 its crest, long racket-tipped outer tail-feathers and 
 powers of mimicry, is the only one well-known in 
 captivity. 
 
 Dwarf Pittas (Xenicincz) are tiny short-tailed birds, 
 only found in New Zealand and Stephens Island. 
 They are much smaller and duller than the true Pittas 
 (which are as large as Thrushes), and are often locally 
 called Wrens. The Dwarf Pittas build in holes. 
 
 Finches (Fringillina) are found all over the world, 
 except in Australasia, where the so-called Finches really 
 belong to the Weaver group, supposing this to be 
 distinct. They are, however, pre-eminently Northern 
 birds, and many are migratory. They never exceed 
 a Thrush in size, and are generally much smaller ; 
 their bill is short and conical, and the mouth turned 
 down at the corners. The wings are often long, but 
 the tail usually moderate and slightly forked. The 
 young are usually streaked in this group, and the males 
 often show a seasonal change. Their eggs are usually 
 spotted, and the nest open ; their food is chiefly vege- 
 table, especially consisting of seeds, which they husk 
 before swallowing them. They have long been well- 
 known cage-birds, being often good singers, and the 
 Canary (Serinus canaria) of the Atlantic islands is one 
 of the best known domestic birds. Its natural colour 
 is streaky olive-green, and it is hardly more than a 
 local race of the Continental Serin (S. hortulanus). The 
 " Wild Canary " of North America is the North 
 American " Goldfinch," really one of the Siskins 
 (Chrysomitris tristis). The male is yellow, with black 
 cap, wings and tail ; the female, olive-green. The 
 
106 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 true Goldfinch of Europe (Carduelis carduelis), so 
 favourite a cage-bird, is locally established in North 
 America, by introduction, and by the same means has 
 now fortunately become very common in New Zealand, 
 Tasmania and South Australia. Its red face and yellow- 
 and-black wings are common to both sexes. In 
 California, one of the Rose-finch group (Carpodacus 
 frontalis), brown with crimson head, is a familiar bird, 
 building about houses, but, of course, the dominant 
 house-finch in most places is the too familiar House- 
 Sparrow (Passer domesticus), with a wide natural range 
 across Europe and Asia, and, unfortunately, intro- 
 duced into North America and the Australian region. 
 The various native " Sparrows " of America are rather 
 of the Bunting type. 
 
 The Red Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), ranging, 
 with various allied forms, from Kentucky to Brazil, 
 deserves mention, as it is well known as the " Virginian 
 Nightingale " ; it is nearly as big as a Thrush, crested, 
 the male red and female light brown. It has bred in 
 captivity in England. Another beautiful North 
 American finch is the Nonpareil (Cyanospiza ciris), of 
 the size of a Linnet, the male with rich blue head, 
 red breast and green back, the female green above and 
 yellow below. 
 
 The typical Buntings, like our Yellowhammer 
 (Emberiza citrinella) , have a very characteristic beak, 
 with the centre of the palate ridged ; but they grade 
 into the typical finches. The Snow- Bunting (Plectro- 
 phanes nivalis), found all round the world in the Arctic 
 regions, is the most northerly Passerine bird, though 
 a race of Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni] breeds in 
 Greenland. 
 
 The Crossbills (Loxia), whose characteristic crossed- 
 tipped bill distinguishes them, are found in both hemi- 
 spheres, chiefly in northern and mountainous regions. 
 
 Flower-peckers (Dicaeince), found in the warm parts 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 107 
 
 of the Old World, are exceedingly tiny birds with 
 short beaks. They build hanging nests as a rule. 
 
 Some of these birds have quite short thick beaks, but 
 their very small size as a group they are the smallest 
 birds in the Old World distinguishes them easily as a 
 rule. 
 
 Few are well known, but two species, the plain drab 
 Dicaeum erythrorhynchus, the smallest bird in the 
 Old World, and the almost equally small Crimson- 
 backed Flower-pecker (D. cruentatum), have been 
 exhibited at the London Zoological Gardens. The 
 Australian Diamond-Bird (Pardalotus punctatus), beauti- 
 fully spotted with white, is assigned to this group. 
 
 Flycatchers (Muscicapince) are small birds with, 
 usually, small feet, and bills of moderate length, pro- 
 vided with bristles at the root ; they usually sit 
 quietly on some favourite perch, making short sallies 
 after insects at intervals. Some have longer legs 
 and move about more on their feet, and the group 
 merges imperceptibly into the Robins. They usually 
 build open nests, and the first plumage of the young is 
 buff-spotted as a rule. Our familiar Spotted Fly- 
 catcher (Muscicapa grisola) is a good example. The 
 group is most numerous in warm climates, and is 
 confined to the Old World, the "Flycatchers" of 
 America belonging to the Tyrant group. Some Fly- 
 catchers are richly and conspicuously coloured ; for 
 instance, the Verditer Flycatcher (Stoparola melanops) of 
 India, which is pale blue ; and the Niltava (Niltava 
 sundara), dark rich blue above and orange below, the 
 female being brown. This bird has been kept alive 
 in Europe, but, speaking generally, Flycatchers are 
 seldom seen in captivity. The Paradise Flycatchers 
 (Terpsiphone), in which the males are usually white, 
 with very long tails, and the females brown, both with 
 black heads, are conspicuous birds in the East. The 
 Fantail Flycatchers (Rhipidura), which hop about 
 
108 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 much, constantly spreading their tails, are also familiar 
 birds from India eastwards, ranging all through the 
 Australian region ; two are familiar birds in New Zealand. 
 
 Greenlets (Vireonince) are small American tree-haunt- 
 ing insectivorous birds. Their plumage is green or 
 olive, and their bills vary from slight to stout ; they 
 build open nests, and are sometimes classed with the 
 Shrikes, which group the strong-billed types somewhat 
 resemble in appearance. The slender-billed ones, how- 
 ever, such as the familiar Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo 
 erythropthalmus) , which has been exhibited in the London 
 Zoological Gardens, much resemble Willow-Warblers 
 in appearance and actions. 
 
 The Honey-eaters (Meliphagince) of the Australian 
 region are usually birds of fair size, though this varies ; 
 their plumage is generally dull, and their bill slight and 
 inclined to be long and curved, although usually shorter 
 and stouter than in the Sun- birds. Their nests are 
 generally open ones of ordinary form. They are very 
 characteristic birds of Australia, and the large species 
 of " Wattle-birds " (Acanthochara), with white-streaked 
 brown plumage and as big as Doves, are shot and eaten. 
 The Tui, or Parson-bird, of New Zealand (Prosthemato- 
 dera novcezealandice] is also a familiar bird, and has 
 been frequently kept in captivity in Europe. It is a 
 good mocker, and will learn to talk. 
 
 Larks (Alaudince) are found nearly everywhere, and 
 are the most terrestrial of Passerine birds. Their 
 shanks have separate scales up the back as well as the 
 front, which will distinguish them from other families 
 of similar habit. They dust themselves instead of 
 washing, build on the ground, seldom perch in the day 
 and never at night. Their plumage is brown more or 
 less streaked, and the young are spotted with buff. 
 The bill varies, as does the claw of the hind-toe, which 
 is most commonly long and straight. The sexes are 
 usually alike. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 109 
 
 Our Skylark (Alauda arvensis) ranges all across 
 the northern parts of the Old World, and is repre- 
 sented in Southern Asia by resident races such as 
 the Indian A. gulgula. It has also been introduced 
 into New Zealand and Hawaii. The only true Larks 
 in America are the Horned or Shore-larks (Otocorys), 
 which are also widely spread in the Old World. 
 
 Lyre-Birds (Menurina) are large pheasant-like 
 
 Head and foot of Lyre-Bird. 
 
 creatures with very strong feet and nearly straight 
 claws ; they are the biggest of Passerine birds except 
 some of the larger Crows, and inhabit Australia. 
 The males have long peculiar tails, resembling in the 
 common species an ancient lyre. Appropriately enough 
 they are fine singers and mockers. Specimens have 
 
HO THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 been exhibited in the London Zoological Gardens. 
 Lyre-birds are remarkable among the Passerine family 
 in having downy young, the down being uniformly 
 coloured ; but the young are not active. 
 
 Mamos (Drepanidince) are confined to the Sandwich 
 Islands, and therefore not likely to be mistaken for 
 other birds ; they resemble Sun-birds or Finches 
 (which are not native to those islands), having either 
 slender or stout bills, often in the former case much 
 curved. Their tints are red, yellow, or green, not 
 metallic, and they have a peculiar smell, like that of 
 the Petrels. 
 
 Manakins (Piprince) are not to be confused with the 
 " Mannikins " of bird-dealers, which, as mentioned on 
 p. 125, are small Weaver-Finches. The present group 
 includes small fruit- eating New World birds, mainly 
 confined to South America, and haunting forests and 
 bush. They have small beaks but wide gapes, the two 
 outer front toes joined for half their length, and are very 
 often gorgeously coloured. Their shanks are separately 
 scaled behind. 
 
 Nuthatches (Sittince) are small species of about a 
 Sparrow's size, have straight and generally rather strong 
 bills of moderate length, short tails, and large feet 
 with the inner front toe noticeably short ; their pre- 
 vailing colour is blue-grey, or even blue. They are 
 partly vegetable-feeders, although living much on 
 insects, and, unlike any other climbing birds, can climb 
 downwards as well as up. Their nest is placed in a 
 hole. They are sometimes placed in the same family 
 as the Creepers, and, like them, inhabit most of the 
 world except South America ; they are not much 
 addicted to migration. Our familiar species (Sitta 
 caesia) is a good type of the group ; the common 
 American bird (S. carolinensis) , however, differs 
 strikingly in its black cap and white face. In Nut- 
 hatchers the sexes are generally alike, nor do the 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. Ill 
 
 young differ noticeably. The typical species are easy 
 birds to keep in confinement. 
 
 Orioles (Oriolina) are birds with strong bills of 
 medium length, and short legs. They are commonly 
 coloured richly with yellow, red, or olive-green com- 
 bined with black, and are rather large, equalling or 
 exceeding a Thrush. They inhabit most of the Old 
 World the so-called Orioles of America being members 
 of the Troupial family (p. 120) and build beautiful 
 hammock-like nests slung in the forks of branches ; 
 they keep very much to the trees, hardly ever coming 
 to the ground, and feeding on fruit and insects. 
 The common Indian (Oriolus melanocephalus) and 
 African species (0, larvatus) have black heads, whereas 
 that of Europe (0. galbula) and its near relative 
 in the East (0. kundoo) have the head yellow, though 
 there is black on the wings and tail as in the first two. 
 Orioles are not much kept in captivity, being rather 
 difficult subjects. 
 
 Pittas (Pittina), which are widely diffused through 
 the warm regions of the Old World, have rather 
 strong bills, short tails and wings, and the back of the 
 shanks with a smooth uniform covering. The latter 
 point and their very gay colouring will in most cases 
 distinguish them from some short-tailed Ant-Birds 
 (Formicariidce). They are insectivorous, and build 
 domed nests. They are often called Ant-Thrushes, 
 but, unlike most of the families with smooth hinder 
 shanks, differ anatomically from the thrushes, and do 
 not seem to feed especially on ants. They live chiefly 
 on the ground, though often perching, and hop rapidly, 
 not running like most ground-birds. Being haunters 
 of forests, they are not well known as a rule ; the most 
 familiar being the Bengal Pitta, or " Nowrung " (nine 
 colours) (Pitta brachyura), green above* with head 
 streaked drab and black, and patches of brilliant sky- 
 blue on the wings and at base of tail. Below it is buff 
 
112 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 with a scarlet patch on the abdomen. This and one 
 or two others have been kept in captivity in England 
 and elsewhere. 
 
 The Plant-cutters (PhytotomincB) of South America 
 are vegetable-feeding birds much resembling Finches, 
 but with the edges of the bill toothed and the back of 
 the shank separately scaled with many small scales. 
 They are very destructive to vegetation, and build open 
 
 Outline of Pitta. 
 
 nests in bushes. The males are reddish in colour and 
 the females greyish. 
 
 Scrub-birds (Atrichiince) are small Australian birds, 
 with rather long tails and very short wings ; their 
 shanks have separate scales on the back, by which 
 they are separated from any other Passerine birds of 
 similar shape found in Australia. There are only two 
 species, brown in colour, and of insectivorous habits, 
 haunting thick cover and seldom flying. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 113 
 
 Shrikes (Laniince], found almost everywhere ex- 
 cept in South America, are strong-billed, large- 
 headed insect-eaters, with, in typical cases, a decidedly 
 hawk-like beak. They are usually sedentary like 
 the Flycatchers, but take larger prey, being bigger 
 birds as a rule ; often they feed on other birds, or on 
 small reptiles and mice, &c. The first plumage of the 
 young is barred. The nest is open and placed in a bush 
 or tree. 
 
 The type, however, is not constant in this family ; 
 some Shrikes, chiefly African, have the very short wings, 
 strong feet, and general habits of Babblers, from most 
 of which their strong bills separate them ; others, as 
 the familiar "Australian Magpies" (Gymnorhina) , 
 look and behave much like Crows, but differ by their 
 exposed nostrils. The last-named are very familiar 
 birds in Australia, and are frequently exported ; they 
 have bred in England in one instance. Among the 
 Babbler-like forms the yellow-throated green Bacbakiri 
 of South Africa (Laniarius bacbakiri) is a familiar bird. 
 
 The so-called Cuckoo- Shrikes are mostly weak 
 footed, tree-haunting forms, coloured much like some 
 Cuckoos, grey above and barred below ; but to the 
 same group belong the delicate and brilliant insect- 
 eating Minivets, the males of which are usually bright 
 red-and-black, and the females yellow-and-grey ; they 
 have long tails, and go in flocks. The best known is 
 the Indian Rajah Lai, Pericrocotus brevirostris. 
 
 Starlings, or Mynahs (Sturnina), found almost all 
 over the Old World, have usually bills of an elongate- 
 conical shape, with the mouth noticeably turned 
 down at the corners, strong feet and short tails. 
 The plumage of the adults is usually glossy. They 
 build in holes in trees, etc., as a rule, but many usually 
 feed on the ground, where they run instead of hopping ; 
 they are omnivorous. They fly with a steady, even flight, 
 unlike the bounding action of most small Passerine birds. 
 
 8 
 
114 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 There are many Tree- Starlings which seldom come 
 to the ground, and hop when they are there (such as 
 the Hill-Mynahs (Eulabes) of the East), but the glossy 
 plumage of these will distinguish them from most birds 
 with which they might be confounded. 
 
 Besides the glossy, cream-spotted European Star- 
 ling (Sturnus vulgaris), widely spread in the Old World 
 naturally, and now established by importation in New 
 Zealand, Tasmania, South Australia and the United 
 States, the House-Mynah of India (Acridotheres tristis) 
 is a very familiar bird, ranging widely in the East, 
 where it especially affects human habitations, and 
 having been introduced into Australia, New Zealand, 
 Hawaii, and many tropical islands, such as Mauritius. 
 It is larger than a Thrush, brown, with black head, 
 yellow bill and feet, and wings and tail marked with 
 white. Like the European Starling, it will learn to 
 talk ; but the true talking Mynahs (Eulabes) are very 
 different birds, glossy black and heavy in form, with 
 yellow head-wattles ; they are tree-haunting fruit- 
 eaters, living in forests, not near habitations. The Ox- 
 peckers (Buphaga), brown African birds with red or 
 yellow bills, which creep over animals, feeding on 
 their parasites, are placed with the Starlings. 
 
 Sugar-birds (Ccerebince) of the West Indies and 
 South America are small slender-billed species, often 
 very brightly coloured, with apparently much the same 
 habits as the Sun-birds and Flower-peckers of the Old 
 World ; they also build domed nests. 
 
 Few are well known, but the Yellow-winged Sugar- 
 bird (Coereba cyanea) is too familiar from the use of 
 its skin for decoration, and has been kept caged success- 
 fully in England ; it is about the size of a small Tit, 
 the male purple, with metallic sea-green crown, con- 
 cealed yellow in the wings, and red feet. The female 
 is dull green. The Purple Sugar- bird (C. ccerulea) is 
 almost all purple, with yellow feet. 
 
[ 
 
 Photo copyright by W, P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 
 New Zealand Robin (Miro. australis}. 
 
 (Seep. 118.) 
 
 This species inhabits the South Island ; the North Island bird, now rare, 
 has not the white breast. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 115 
 
 Sun-birds (Nectariniince), ranging through Africa 
 and Southern Asia to Australia, are for the most part 
 small but very beautiful birds, the males with highly 
 glossy metallic plumage, and with slender, usually 
 curved bills, haunting flowers for food, which con- 
 sists of honey and insects. Their bills are minutely 
 serrated along the edge, though a hand-lens is needed 
 to see this properly. They are often confused with the 
 Humming-birds of America, but these have very short 
 legs and feed on the wing, while the Sun- birds have 
 legs of ordinary length and hop. They used to be con- 
 fused with the Creepers, but have not their shape of 
 foot. The nest is usually hanging and roofed, with an 
 entrance-hole at the side. 
 
 These are often familiar garden birds ; two Indian 
 species are very well known in this way ; the Purple 
 (Arachnecthra asiatica), dark metallic purple, with 
 flame-coloured tufts in the armpits, and the Amethyst- 
 rumped (A. zeylonica), purple, green and crimson above 
 and yellow below. The females of both are dull green, 
 and the male of the former assumes this colour after 
 the breeding season. He sings well. Both these species, 
 which are about as big as Wrens, have been kept alive 
 in England, and so has the African Malachite Sun- 
 bird (Nectarinia famosa), as big as a Linnet, glittering 
 green, with long centre tail-feathers. 
 
 Swallows (Hirundinince) are spread nearly all 
 over the world, but none permanently inhabit New 
 Zealand, though stragglers from Australia have occurred 
 there. Their exceedingly small bills and feet and 
 remarkable length of wing prevent confusion with 
 any other Passerine birds. They are often con- 
 founded with the non-Passerine Swifts (Cypselidce), 
 which are similar in form and habit, but the large hind- 
 toe and coarsely-scaled shank of the Swallow, with its 
 twelve tail-feathers against the Swift's ten, will differen- 
 tiate them ; moreover, Swallows often perch, while 
 
 8* 
 
Il6 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 Swifts seldom do so. Their nesting-habits vary a good 
 deal, but the nest is either a mud-built structure or 
 placed in a hole, generally speaking. They walk, or 
 rather waddle, when on the ground, instead of hopping. 
 
 The House-Martins (Chelidori) differ from the rest 
 of the group and all other Passerine birds by having 
 the feet partly covered with white down instead of 
 scales, but these appear on the centre of the shanks. 
 Our House-Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is found, accord- 
 ing to season, over most of the Old World, and in 
 America is replaced by the Barn-Swallow (H. horreorum), 
 which is very similar, but has all the underparts chest- 
 nut. The House-Martins are purely Old-World birds, 
 but the Sand-Martin (Cotile riparia) extends all round 
 the world. The American Purple Martin (Procne 
 purpurea) is very different from our Martins ; it is a 
 larger bird, as big as a Lark, glossy purple in the male, 
 the female being duller and white below ; it often builds 
 in boxes put up for it, as does the White-bellied Swallow 
 (Tacky cineta bicolor), very like our House-Martin, but 
 with bare feet and no white patch on the back. In 
 India and Africa the Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo 
 smithii), blue-black above and white below, with chest- 
 nut cap and very long outer tail-feathers, is a well- 
 known bird locally. 
 
 Tanagers (Tanagrincz) are American, and chiefly 
 confined to the southern half of the New World. Their 
 bills are more or less conical in form, and exhibit the 
 nostrils exposed, but they vary in thickness of beak, 
 some species being almost indistinguishable from thick - 
 billed Finches, and others so slender in bill that they 
 grade into the American Warblers (Mniotiltidce). 
 These birds are chiefly fruit-eaters, build open nests, 
 and are often exceedingly brilliant and beautiful in 
 colour, the females being often almost equally so with 
 the males. Such is the case with the Brazilian Superb 
 Tanager (Calliste fasluosa), well known in captivity in 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 117 
 
 England, which has the head metallic sea-green, under - 
 parts purple, and lower back flame - colour. The 
 Scarlet Tanager (Rhamphocoelus brasilius), also South 
 American, is as large as a Lark, velvety-scarlet with 
 black wings and tail in the male, brown in the female ; 
 it is also often imported and has laid and partly reared 
 young in England. The Maroon Tanager (R. jacapa), 
 much darker red in the male, is a well-known and 
 common bird in South America, as also is the Blue 
 (Tanagra episcopus), pale lavender and blue in both 
 sexes. The migratory North American Pyranga rubra 
 and P. erythromelas are well known as " Summer 
 Red-birds" ; their females are olive-green, and the 
 males assume this colour after breeding, for a time. 
 
 Tapaculos (Pteroptochince) inhabit South America ; 
 they have very strong coarse feet, much like the Lyre- 
 Bird's on a small scale, and fairly stout and short 
 beaks, with the nostrils overhung by a scale on the 
 inner side. Their tails are rather short, and they are 
 great skulkers, but very noisy. Their shanks have 
 several scales up the back. This distinguishes them 
 from the larger Wrens, to which they bear some resem- 
 blance in form and habits. Their plumage is dull. 
 
 Thrushes (Turdince) are a very numerous and widely- 
 spread group, found almost everywhere ; many are 
 highly migratory ; they present no remarkable pecu- 
 liarity of form, the bill being slight and of medium 
 length, as are also, as a rule, the wings, tail and legs. 
 The head is never crested, nor is the plumage glossy. 
 The eggs vary much ; the young are usually spotted with 
 buff. The typical species, to which the name Thrush 
 or Ouzel is generally restricted in popular language, 
 are birds of fair size for this family ; the smaller kinds 
 are grouped as Robins, Redstarts and Chats. The 
 larger forms have the widest distribution, none of the 
 Redstarts, for instance, occurring outside the Old 
 World, while only one Chat, the familiar Wheatear 
 
Il8 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 (Saxicola cenanthe), the most widely distributed of all, 
 extends to America, being found both in Greenland and 
 Alaska. 
 
 Our well-known Song-Thrush (Turdus musicus) 
 and Blackbird (Merula merula) range as far as Persia, 
 and the latter to Kashmir ; they are now established 
 in New Zealand. The Missel-Thrush (Turdus visci- 
 vorus) extends along the Himalayas. The self-coloured 
 Thrushes, or Ouzels, allied to the Blackbird, have a 
 wider range than the spotted ones, some being found 
 even in the Pacific Islands. The best-known North 
 American Thrush is the " American Robin " (Turdus 
 migratorius), of the size of our Blackbird, drab above, 
 with black cap and tail, and cinnamon -red below. It 
 lays blue eggs, and is a familiar garden bird. The 
 Sabia (Turdus fumigatus) is the most famous songster 
 in Brazil ; it is a light brown Thrush about the size of 
 our Song-thrush. 
 
 The Nightingale belongs to the Robin group ; our 
 common species (Erithacus Imcinia) is replaced in 
 Eastern Europe by the Sprosser (E. philomela), and in 
 Persia by the true Bulbul of poetry (E. golzii) ; but all 
 three are much alike in appearance. 
 
 Our Robin (E. rubecula) ranges east to Persia. 
 The common Robin of India and Burma is the Dhyal 
 (Copsychus saularis), pied black-and-white in the male, 
 grey- and- white in the female ; at the Cape the Jan- 
 fredric (Cossypha cafra), grey above, with white eye- 
 brows, and tail, as well as breast, rusty red, takes its 
 name and place. 
 
 In North America the Blue-bird (Sialia sialis) is the 
 most Robin-like species, sky-blue above and bay below 
 in the male, duller in the female ; it is rather larger and 
 longer-winged than our Robin, but has similar tame 
 habits, though less of a ground -feeder. 
 
 The Dippers (Cinclus) are aquatic Thrushes, with 
 short tails and dark plumage, sometimes relieved by 
 

 Photo copyright by W. 5. Berridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 American Cat-bird (Galeoscoptes carolinensis). 
 
 (Seep. 119.) 
 
 The Cat-bird is about the size of a Lark, but much resembles our Blackcap 
 Warbler (Sylvia atricapilla) in colour and shape. 
 
 [To face p. 118. 
 
Photo copyright by W. S. Bet ridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 Kiskadee or Sulphury Tyrant (Pitangus sulphur atus). 
 
 (Seep. 122.) 
 
 The Sulphury Tyrant is about as hie as a '1 brush, brown in colour, with 
 black-and-white head and yellow breast. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. Iig 
 
 white ; they are found in hilly regions in both Old and 
 New Worlds, but not in Africa excepting in the Atlas 
 range, nor in the Australian region. 
 
 The Mocking-birds are a purely American section of 
 this group, notable for their long tails. The typical 
 Mocking-bird (Mimus polyglottus) of North America is 
 grey, with the wings and tail marked with white. It is 
 chiefly a bird of the Southern States, and there are 
 several very similar species in South America. The Brown 
 Thrasher (Harporhynchus rufus) is very like our Song- 
 thrush, except for the long tail, pale eyes, and more 
 decided tints. The Cat-bird (Galeoscoptes carolinensis), so- 
 called from its mewing note, is a much smaller species. 
 
 Tits (Parincz) are small species, with short wings, 
 strong small feet and bills, and fluffy plumage, showing 
 usually but little difference between the sexes or 
 between adults and young ; they are tree-haunting birds, 
 found almost everywhere except in South America, and 
 chiefly insectivorous, though many eat much vegetable 
 food also. The nest is usually in a hole or domed. 
 
 Although less migratory than almost any other 
 Passerine group, the Tits inhabit a great range of 
 climates, species of the same typical genus (Parus) 
 as our common Blue and Great Tits (P. major and 
 P. cceruleus) being found in Africa and New Guinea. 
 They are often very gaily-coloured birds, but the 
 American species are all dull in tint. The above-men- 
 tioned Blue and Great Tits do not go further east than 
 Persia ; the former, however, has a close ally in the 
 Indian Grey Tit (P. cinereus), which resembles our 
 Great Tit, except in lacking the yellow tints in the 
 plumage, and ranges from Turkestan through India to 
 China, while a similar species with a green back (P. 
 minor) extends to Japan. A well-known Japanese 
 species is the Red-sided Tit (P. varius), of the size of 
 our Great Tit, and conspicuous for its chestnut flanks 
 and cream- and-black head, a common cage-bird in 
 
120 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 that country, and often imported to Europe, though as 
 a rule Tits do not do well in captivity and are seldom 
 kept anywhere. The most familiar Tit in North America 
 is the Chickdalee (Parus atricapillus), which is a very 
 much enlarged edition of our Marsh Tit. 
 
 The little long-tailed Tits, typified by our species 
 (Acredula caudata), are more purely insectivorous and 
 less familiar birds; but the Red-crowned Tit (A. 
 ioschistus) is a familiar bird in parts of the Himalayas ; 
 it has a shorter tail than our bird, and is grey above, 
 with chestnut cap. 
 
 Troupials, or Hang-Nests (Icterince], are an exclu- 
 sively American sub-family, but they are much better 
 represented than the Tanagers in the northern half of 
 the continent, where some species are among the 
 most familiar birds, often called, from their dark or 
 yellow-pied plumage, " Blackbirds," or " Orioles," 
 although they are by no means nearly related to those 
 birds. Some are as big as crows, and they are usually 
 larger than sparrows ; their beak is noticeably conical, 
 but varies much in length and thickness, some having it 
 as stout as a sparrow's, like the " Bobolink " (Dolichonyx 
 oryzivorus), and others as thin as a starling's, such as 
 the Meadow-Lark (Sturnella ludoviciana) . The beak 
 has a marked tendency to run up on the forehead, and 
 the feet are strong, like a Starling's, which these birds 
 much resemble in many ways ; but they use the foot 
 to hold down food, unlike those birds. They are social, 
 but spiteful in disposition. The food is both vegetable 
 and animal, and the nest varies. In America these 
 birds seem to represent the Starlings and Weavers of 
 the Old World, and perhaps unite those groups. 
 
 The Bobolink, which is about as large as a lark, 
 and coloured much like one in the female sex, and in 
 the case of the male out of the breeding season, is black- 
 and-white in nuptial dress ; but no other species ex- 
 hibits such a change. This is a very familiar bird in 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 121 
 
 North America, and a valued songster in the north ; 
 on its southward migration, however, it is a pest in the 
 rice fields, and is eaten as a delicacy under the name of 
 " Rice-Bird." The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelceus 
 phceniceus) is about as large as a thrush, black in the 
 male, with scarlet patches, on the pinions ; the female 
 lark-coloured. This is a useful insect-destroyer, but 
 also destructive to grain. The Meadow-Lark is a 
 terrestrial short-tailed species, of the size of a thrush, 
 lark-coloured above and yellow below. It is a most 
 useful bird, but does not equal the true Larks in song. 
 Some very similar South American species, with scarlet 
 underparts, are locally known as " Robins." 
 
 The " Golden Robin " of the United States is also a 
 bird of this family, the Baltimore Oriole (Icterus Balti- 
 more), of the size of a lark, pied black and rich orange 
 in the male, more olive in the female ; like all the 
 genus Icterus and allied forms, it is arboreal. A South 
 American Icterus, the Brazilian Troupial (Icterus 
 vulgaris), is one of the most commonly imported of 
 this family, though all are easily kept. It is as big as 
 our Blackbird, pied black and orange, with bare grey 
 eye-patch and a white patch on the wing. These species 
 build hanging nests, much like those of Weavers, but 
 with the entrance at the top. 
 
 The Cow-Birds (Molobrus) are finch-billed, ground- 
 feeding birds of this family, about the size of Starlings, 
 parasitic in habits like some Cuckoos. The familiar 
 North American species (M. pecoris) is black in the 
 male, with a brown head, brown in the female ; but 
 the South American Glossy Cow- bird (M. bonariensis) , 
 glossy purple in the male and sooty brown in the female, 
 is the best known in England, being more frequently 
 imported as a cage-bird than any other member of this 
 family. 
 
 Tyrants (Tyrannincz) are American, and especially 
 South American, birds. In their food and general 
 
122 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 habits they resemble Flycatchers or Shrikes, according 
 to their size, which varies a great deal ; many also, 
 such as the well-known American King-bird (Tyrannus 
 carolinensis) , domineer over other birds like the 
 Drongos. From the Old- World groups which they 
 resemble they may be distinguished by the scaling at 
 the back of the shank. They are usually olive or grey 
 in colour, and often have an orange or flame-coloured 
 crest, usually concealed in repose. In America they 
 are often called Flycatchers, as are Bee-eaters in 
 India. 
 
 This is a group showing many forms. Some species 
 have legs of ordinary length and hop about, or search 
 for food on the ground, but the peculiarity of the shank 
 above alluded to will distinguish them from the Warblers 
 and Chats of the Old World. Their nesting-habits vary 
 a good deal. 
 
 The above-mentioned King-bird is of the size of a 
 lark, slaty-black above, with concealed red crest, and 
 white below. In general shape and habits it is like a 
 Flycatcher. The Phcebe (Sayornis fuscus) is much like 
 our Common Flycatcher in size, form and habits, but 
 much darker in colour. Like the last, it is a common 
 and familiar bird, and a useful insect-destroyer. The 
 large species, as big as thrushes, and strong billed, 
 belonging to the genus Pitangus, are well known in 
 the warm parts of America as " Kiskadees," or " Ben- 
 tivis " from their characteristic cry. They eat small 
 vertebrates, as well as insects, and even catch fish, 
 and are found in gardens. The Sulphury Tyrant (P. 
 sulphuratus) is the only species of Tyrant which has 
 been at all freely imported into England alive. 
 
 Wagtails (Motacillincz) are all small, about a Sparrow's 
 size, though their tails are often decidedly long ; have 
 slender bills of moderate length, and the hind-claw 
 long in some cases. The inner quills or tertiaries are 
 exceptionally long, as is the case in the Larks, which 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. I2 ^ 
 
 the Pipits, which also belong to this group, resemble 
 in the streaky-brown plumage, although they can be 
 distinguished by the back of the shanks not having 
 separate scales. The Wagtails have the plumage black, 
 grey and white, or olive-green and yellow. The birds 
 of this family live mostly on the ground, running in- 
 stead of hopping, and are almost entirely insectivorous ; 
 they build low down in banks on the ground. 
 
 Wagtails are for the most part confined to the Old 
 World, over which they range widely, but do not reach 
 Australia, the so-called Wagtail of that country being 
 one of the Fantail Flycatchers, and having a lateral 
 movement of the tail, whereas the true Wagtails move 
 their tails up and down. They show the undulating 
 flight of Passerine birds generally in its most typical 
 form ; they are strong flyers and many are migratory. 
 Our common Grey Wagtail (Motacilla melanope) has a 
 very wide range across the Old World, but the White 
 Wagtail (M. alba), decidedly rare with us, goes 
 further, even reaching Alaska and nesting in Iceland. 
 
 The Pipits are almost the most cosmopolitan of 
 Passerine birds, being found nearly all over both worlds ; 
 one even (Anthus antarcticus) inhabits the island of 
 South Georgia, and is the most southerly Passerine 
 bird. These birds, as a rule, look much alike in their 
 sombre plumage, but two or three South African species 
 of the genus Macronyx are bright red or yellow below, 
 M. capensis being known at the Cape as the " Cut -throat 
 Lark" ; it has an orange-red throat and paler breast. 
 
 Warblers (Sylviince) are small birds, seldom larger 
 than a sparrow, and much resemble delicate-looking 
 thrushes, of brown or olive-green colour as a rule, and 
 devoid of the spotted young plumage. Moreover, the 
 front of the shank is separately scaled as usual. They 
 are mainly insectivorous, but some, like our Blackcap 
 (Sylvia atricapilla), are also great fruit-eaters. This 
 is an Old- World group, though one species invades 
 
124 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 North America. Their nests vary, being usually open, 
 but sometimes domed ; the well-known Tailor-bird 
 (Sutoria sutoria) and others which sew leaves for a 
 nest-bag belong to this group. The Gold-crests 
 (Regulus) are sometimes placed in a separate family. 
 
 The tree- and bush-haunting Warblers, like our 
 familiar Chiff-Chaff (Phylloscopus tristis) and Blackcap, 
 for instance, seldom come to the ground, and are 
 eminently migratory, few breeding in the tropics. But 
 there is a large group of short-winged, strong-leggsd 
 Warblers resident in warm climates, which have much 
 more terrestrial habits, and grade into the Babblers. 
 
 The Tailor-bird above-mentioned is one of these, 
 and is the most familiar Warbler in the East. It is of 
 about the same size as a Wren, and olive-green with a 
 chestnut cap. This species has a loud note, but no 
 noticeable song ; many Warblers, however, are remark- 
 ably good songsters. 
 
 Wattled Pittas (Philepittincz) , of which there are only 
 two species Philepitta jala, black in the male and olive- 
 green in the female, and P. schlegeli, in which both sexes 
 are green and yellow, with the male's head black 
 are confined to Madagascar, where no true Pitta is 
 found. They differ from the true Pittas by having 
 separate scales at the back of the shank, while the males 
 have a wattle over the eye. They keep more to the 
 trees than the true Pittas, which mostly live on the 
 ground. 
 
 Waxwings (Ampelina) are a curious group containing 
 only a few species, found in Europe, Asia and America. 
 They have small feet and a small bill with wide gape, 
 but unlike most other birds so distinguished, are mainly 
 frugivorous. Most of them are crested, and the best- 
 known species, the Waxwing (Ampelis garrulus) of the 
 northern parts of the world and the Cedar-Bird (A. 
 cedrorum) of North America, develop sealing- wax -like 
 appendages on the secondary wing-quills. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 125 
 
 Our occasional visitor, the Waxwing, which is one 
 of the few Passerine birds common to both hemi- 
 spheres, is a sub-Arctic bird of very wandering habits 
 and irregular habitat ; but the Cedar-Bird, which is 
 smaller and has yellowish-white instead of chestnut 
 under the tail, is a regular inhabitant of the United 
 States and a well-known bird. These Waxwings have 
 long wings and a steady level flight. 
 
 Weavers (Ploceince), with which the Waxbills, 
 Whydahs, and Nuns or Mannikins are classed, are the 
 characteristic Finches of the warm parts of the Old 
 World. They are usually shorter in wing and stouter 
 in bill and feet than the true Finches. Moreover, the 
 bill tends to run up on to the forehead in a peak, and 
 the nostrils are sometimes exposed. The nest is usually 
 covered, and often pendent. But for all this, the 
 Ploceida are usually spoken of as Finches, and should 
 not properly be separated. In habits they are much 
 more social than true Finches, and the males in many 
 cases have a very marked change of plumage after the 
 breeding season, exchanging their gay red or yellow 
 dress, varied with black, for the streaky-brown or 
 olive-green plumage of the female. The typical 
 weaving forms are mostly African, though a few, in- 
 cluding the well-known Baya (Ploceus baya) of India, 
 are inhabitants of Southern Asia. They build very 
 wonderful pendent nests of woven grass or fibre, 
 with the entrance at one side below, often pro- 
 longed into a spout. The Baya is a sparrow-like bird, 
 the breeding male having a brilliant yellow cap and 
 breast. 
 
 Another brilliant Weaver is the Madagascar species 
 (Foudia madagascariensis) , the breeding male being 
 bright scarlet for the most part. This is often imported 
 to Europe, but the commonest cage-bird among typical 
 Weavers is the small Red-billed African species (Quelea 
 quelea) ; in this the female has a yellow bill, and the 
 
126 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 breeding male a pink or straw-yellow head and breast, 
 usually with black mask. 
 
 The " Bishops " (Pyromelana) are remarkable for 
 the rich red and yellow of the full-dressed males, set 
 off by velvety black ; several are commonly caged. 
 The male Whydahs, in addition to displaying much 
 black and often some red, in the male's breeding plumage, 
 are noteworthy for the excessively long tail carried at 
 -that time. The most generally known in its own African 
 haunts, though not so commonly caged as some others, 
 is the Giant Whydah, or Sakabulla (Cher a procne), as 
 large as a lark, with the full-dressed male black, with 
 a tail a foot long. 
 
 The Mannikins, Nuns and Waxbills are small, 
 highly sociable species, often very beautifully coloured. 
 The only one which changes its plumage is the Avadavat 
 (Spor&ginthus amandava) of India and eastwards, long 
 a familiar cage-bird. It is of the size of a Wren, the 
 breeding male wine-red, with small white spots. The 
 Cordon-bleu (Estrelda phcenicotis) is very well known in 
 Africa ; it is but little larger than the last, and fawn 
 and pale-blue in colour. The best known of this group 
 is, however, an unusually large species, the Java 
 Sparrow (Munia oryzivora), about as big as the true 
 Sparrow, lavender-grey, with large rosy bill and black- 
 and-white head. It is a very old cage-bird, and there 
 is a white domestic breed. This group of birds, indeed, 
 supplies a greater number of cage species than any 
 other, and several breed regularly in captivity, and others 
 occasionally, such as the splendid Gouldian Finch 
 (Poephila mirabilis) of North Australia, of the size of a 
 tit, green, with violet breast, yellow belly and black 
 or red head. 
 
 Wood-hewers (Dendrocolaptince), which replace the 
 Creepers and Nuthatches in South America, show 
 the climbing type of Passerine foot, with the short 
 inner and long outer toe, in its highest perfection; 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 127 
 
 the bill varying much in shape. They are often much 
 bigger birds than Creepers or Nuthatches, and are brown 
 in colour, often reddish, especially on the tail. 
 
 This group contains many species, varying much in 
 type ; some are not climbers at all, but hop, and even 
 run on the ground, like the Oven-bird. These forms 
 have not the typical foot, but can be distinguished 
 from thrushes, warblers, or other birds they seem to 
 resemble, by having the shanks scaled at the back. 
 The nesting-habits vary much, and are often most 
 remarkable : as witness the Oven-bird's curious domed 
 clay structure and the great stick-nest of the Lenatero 
 (A numbius acuticaudatus) . 
 
 Both these species are familiar birds in South America. 
 The Oven-bird (Furnarius rufus) is reddish-brown, 
 with a short tail, and about the size of a thrush. It 
 walks with a peculiar strut, closing each foot as it lifts 
 it, in a way unusual among Passerine birds, and has a 
 shrill repeated scream like a kestrel. The Lenatero 
 in size and colour resembles a lark, but is a perching 
 bird, and has a rounded tail, showing white borders. 
 
 Wood-swallows or Swallow-Shrikes (Artamina) of 
 the warm parts of the world chiefly India and the 
 Australian region have much of the swallow's build, 
 but are easily distinguishable by their much larger bills, 
 which are fairly long and stout. They do not spend 
 so much time on the wing as the true Swallows, and 
 their nests are of quite a different type, being built in 
 the ordinary way. They are sometimes classed with 
 the Shrikes, and seem to be related to those birds. 
 
 They are about the size of starlings, with peculiarly 
 sleek plumage, grey or black, with some white markings. 
 The most widely-spread kind is the White-bellied Wood- 
 swallow (Artamus leucogaster), with a white rump and 
 abdomen ; this ranges from the Andamans to Australia. 
 In spite of their aerial mode of life, these birds bear 
 captivity well, and the White-eyebrowed Wood- 
 
128 THE WORLD'S BIBBS. 
 
 swallow (A. superciliosus) of Australia, a grey bird, 
 with white eyebrows, has been not infrequently im- 
 ported. 
 
 Wrens (Troglodytincz), which are found nearly every- 
 where, are sometimes classed with the Babblers ; like 
 them, they are short-winged, bush-haunting, insecti- 
 vorous birds, but they differ in some points, notably in 
 having no bristles at the base of the bill, in being much 
 less sociable and much more generally gifted as song- 
 sters, besides building domed nests. Most of the 
 Wrens are South American, and among them is the 
 celebrated Organ-bird of the Amazonian region (Cypho- 
 rhinus cantans) , renowned for its powerful and beautiful 
 flute-like note. This bird is of a fair size, as many 
 Wrens are, although the Old- World forms are nearly all 
 small. Our own bird (Troglodytes troglodytes) has a 
 wide range, and is represented by nearly allied forms 
 from Iceland to Japan. The American House- Wren 
 (Troglodytes aedori) is very similar, but has a longer tail 
 and is a little larger ; like our species, it is a familiar 
 garden bird. Most Wrens are plain-coloured, and have 
 the sexes alike. They are difficult subjects for cap- 
 tivity, but the common Wren of Europe has been kept 
 for some time. 
 
 PELICANS (Pelecanidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Large water-fowl, with long, narrow, flat 
 bill and large pouch, and all four toes webbed. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a goose to larger than a swan. 
 
 FORM. Bill very long, narrow and flat, with a hook 
 at the tip ; branches of the lower jaw only united 
 at the tip, and supporting a large pouch ; feet 
 with short shanks, and all four toes webbed, hind- 
 toe pointing backwards, but with an inward in- 
 clination ; wings very large, long and broad ; tail 
 short ; neck long. Tongue very small. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 129 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering long and 
 loose ; colour mostly white or grey in adults, brown 
 in young. Quills black. Pouch and face always 
 bare. Little sex-difference, but some small seasonal 
 change. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless, naked at first, then clad in pale 
 down. The bill is quite short at first. 
 
 NEST. A mass of sticks, rushes, etc., placed on trees 
 or on the ground. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; white, rough. 
 
 INCUBATION. A month to about seven weeks. 
 
 COURTSHIP. The male crouches down and rubs his 
 head to and fro with open bill and expanded pouch. 
 
 FOOD. Fish, and occasionally young water-fowl. 
 
 GAIT. A waddling walk. They swim rapidly and sit 
 high in the water, but do not dive. They usually 
 reach down from the surface for their food, but the 
 American Brown Pelican (Pelecanus fuscus) marks 
 its prey on the wing, and swoops down on it. They 
 perch freely on trees as a rule. 
 
 FLIGHT. Slow and powerful ; they often soar on 
 motionless wings. The feet are extended in flight 
 and the neck drawn in. 
 
 NOTE. A croak ; they are very silent birds as a rule. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are sociable, and often 
 fish in company, forming line and driving the fish 
 into shallow water. They are almost constantly 
 pluming themselves. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are usually regarded as 
 harmful birds wherever the preservation of fish is 
 important, on account of the quantity they 
 destroy. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They thrive well confined, attaining to a 
 very great age, and the common White Pelican has 
 bred in Continental zoological gardens. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Pelicans are 
 found almost everywhere, by large bodies of fresh 
 
 9 
 
130 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 water and on the sea shore, in warm and temperate 
 climates, but there are less than a dozen species.- 
 The best known is the Common White or Roseate 
 Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) of South-East Europe 
 and the adjacent countries and familiar in cap- 
 tivity ; this has a pinkish blush on its plumage. 
 The purely white Pelican (P. trachyrhynchus) of 
 North America grows a deciduous horn on the bill 
 in the breeding season. The American Brown 
 Pelican is a small species of maritime habits and 
 dark colour ; the only South American kind (P. 
 molince) is very similar. The large Australian 
 Pelican (P. conspicillatus) is pied black and white. 
 No Pelicans are found in Britain or New Zealand 
 and the Pacific Islands: 
 
 PENGUINS (Spheniscidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Flightless diving-birds, with wings in the 
 form of paddles, not folding, and without quills. 
 
 SIZE. From a weight of ninety pounds (Emperor 
 Penguin] to the size of a wild-duck. 
 
 FORM. Bill various, with sheath marked by grooves, 
 corner of mouth before eye ; neck short, general 
 form stout ; feet with shanks very short and broad, 
 and three stout webbed front toes ; hind-toe very 
 small, raised, and on the inside of the foot ; wings 
 paddle -like, flattened, hardly moving except at 
 the shoulder ; tail short or medium, with numerous 
 feathers. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Exceedingly close and having a scaly 
 appearance, especially on the wings, which have 
 no true quills. Grey of some shade above, white 
 below, often with black, and sometimes yellow, 
 markings about the head. No sexual difference. 
 Moult rapid, the feathers coming off in numbers, 
 flaking off like a reptile's slough on the wings. 
 
Photo copyright by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 
 Yellow-crowned Penguin (Eudyptes antipoduni). (Seep. 131.) 
 
 The photograph might have been taken on purpose to disprove the 
 frequent assertion that these birds are plantigrades. 
 
 [To face p. 130. 
 
Photo copyright by W. S. Berridge, F.Z.S. 
 Blue-tailed Fruit-pigeon (Carpophaga concinna). (Seep. 138.) 
 
 This species is a good type of the tropical' Fruit-pigeons ; it is much larger 
 than our Wood-pigeon, and coloured pale .French-grey and metallic green. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 131 
 
 YOUNG. Active to some extent, but not feeding them- 
 selves, the parents disgorging into their bills, 
 which they thrust into those of the old ones. 
 They are clothed in thick uniformly-coloured down, 
 and usually differ from the adults in first plumage. 
 They fledge first on the wings. 
 
 NEST. Various ; a burrow, or a small collection of 
 rubbish, such as twigs and pebbles. Sometimes 
 none is made at all. They always breed in 
 colonies. 
 
 EGGS. One or two ; white, or nearly so, unmarked. 
 
 INCUBATION. Six weeks ; those species which make 
 no nest incubate standing, keeping the egg between 
 the feet and abdomen. Both sexes sit. 
 
 COURTSHIP. They stand face to face and rub their 
 necks together. 
 
 FOOD. Fish and other marine animals, which they 
 swallow under water. They do not go to sea when 
 moulting, and thus cannot feed then. 
 
 GAIT. On land an awkward waddling walk or a hop. 
 When pressed they go on all fours, using the wings 
 as legs, but usually walk and stand erect. They are 
 not plantigrade, as often stated, but walk on the 
 toes like other birds (see illustration). They are 
 most active at sea, where most of their time is 
 spent, swimming with their wings, which are 
 moved simultaneously ; they often come up to 
 breathe with a spring, like porpoises. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are very courageous, 
 and will attack man on occasion at their breeding- 
 places, using both bill and wings, as they also do 
 when fighting with each other. 
 
 NOTE. Harsh, a bray, croak, or wail. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are useful as food when 
 nothing better is to be had, and their oil and skins 
 have been utilized. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They live well in this condition, requiring, 
 
 9* 
 
I 3 2 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 of course, free access to water and plenty of fish 
 as food. The Black-footed species (Spheniscus 
 demersus) was bred successfully in the Jardin 
 d'Acclimatation at Paris, in a small enclosure, 
 with a very small pond and dog-kennels for nest- 
 ing-places. Since then it has also bred in the 
 London Zoological Gardens. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The seas of 
 the Southern Hemisphere, one species (Spheniscus 
 mendiculus) only having a range much outside 
 these, i.e., round the Galapagos. They often 
 form the chief animal life in Antarctic regions. 
 About sixteen species are known, of which one, 
 the Cape Penguin (Spheniscus demersus), is the 
 only one really familiar, owing to its being common 
 in captivity. The Rock-hopper (Eudyptes chry- 
 socome), with its conspicuous yellow crest, is also 
 well known. Penguins are well-known birds on 
 the New Zealand and Falkland Islands coasts, but 
 as a rule their breeding-places are on remote 
 islands far away from human inhabitants. 
 
 PETRELS (Procellariida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Web-footed birds, with tubular nostrils. 
 
 SIZE. From larger than a swan to the size of a swallow. 
 
 FORM. Bill of medium length or long, with hooked 
 tip, the horny covering divided into sections 
 by grooves, the nostrils tubular the tubes either 
 separate or fused and the corner of the mouth 
 in front of the eye. Feet with shanks of varying 
 length, and three fully-webbed front toes, the 
 hind-toe absent or only represented by its claw. 
 Wings generally long and narrow ; tail usually 
 rather short. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Colouring sombre, and 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 133 
 
 usually nearly self-coloured, or in large masses ; 
 no difference between the sexes or according to 
 season. Young usually like adults. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy, but helpless and fed by parents, 
 who disgorge food into the young one's bill in- 
 serted into their own. The down is self-coloured, 
 sooty or white. 
 
 NEST. Usually a burrow ; in Albatrosses a raised 
 structure in the open, of earth and turf. 
 
 EGGS. One ; white, in some cases with red spots. 
 
 INCUBATION. From one to two months. 
 
 COURTSHIP. In the case of the Albatross the birds 
 stand face to face, point their bills skyward, and 
 utter a groaning sound. 
 
 FOOD. Marine animals, ships' refuse, and carrion; 
 some large species eat the smaller ones. 
 
 GAIT. An awkward walk ; many assume a crouching 
 attitude when walking. They swim welV as a 
 rule, and some are also good divers. 
 
 FLIGHT. Remarkably powerful in most, though they 
 often have a difficulty in rising off a level surface 
 either on land or water ; they are adepts at 
 sailing, especially the large species, and usually 
 fly low. The small Petrels fly much like swallows. 
 The neck is drawn in, and the feet stretched out 
 behind, in flight. 
 
 NOTE. Various, and rather discordant ; groaning and 
 cooing sounds are common. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. Many of these 
 birds are largely nocturnal, and few come inland 
 voluntarily, so little is often known about them. 
 Many, however, follow ships. They seem ravenous 
 and not very intelligent. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. The young of some species 
 are used as food locally, while all are of aesthetic 
 value as enlivening vast stretches of ocean. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. They are 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 found in all seas, and at any distance from land, 
 but are often localized in their breeding-haunts, 
 and by far the larger number of species inhabit the 
 southern seas ; there are about a hundred and 
 twenty in all. 
 
 The best known in northern waters are the 
 little Stormy-Petrel (Procellaria .pelagica), of a 
 swallow's size the smallest web-footed bird 
 and sooty black, with a white patch on the back, 
 and the Common Shearwater (Puffinus anglorum), 
 about the size of a pigeon, and black above and 
 white below. Species of similar general appearance 
 to these are found in all seas. The well-known 
 Mutton-bird (Puffinus brevicaudus) of Australia is 
 a dark Shearwater. The Fulmar (Fulmarus 
 glacialis), a grey-and-white species of the size of a 
 crow, is northern. In the southern seas a familiar 
 bird is the Cape Pigeon (Daption capensis), 
 about the size of a wood-pigeon, and white, spotted 
 with black, with black head ; well known also are 
 the species of Prion, commonly called " Whale- 
 birds/' of about the size of blackbirds, and blue- 
 grey in plumage. The Southern Diving-Petrels 
 (Pelecanoides), the only short-winged members 
 of the family, are about the same size, and black- 
 and-white in colour. On the edges of the Ant- 
 arctic ice is found the Snowy Petrel (Pagodroma 
 nivea), about pigeon-size, a curious counterpart 
 to the Ivory Gull of the Arctic regions. The 
 largest of the Petrels is the Nelly (Ossifraga 
 gigantea), a bird as big as a goose, normally sooty- 
 brown, but often white or pied ; it is a voracious 
 scavenger, and attacks other birds on occasion ; it 
 is confined to southern waters. 
 
 The Albatrosses (Diomedeina), with nasal tubes 
 separated from each other, are all large birds, 
 chiefly haunting the southern seas, but one or two 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 135 
 
 range up the Pacific to Kamtchatka, and the 
 well-known Mollymawk, or Black-eyebrowed 
 Albatross (Diomedea melanophrys) has occurred 
 in England and elsewhere in the North Atlantic 
 region. It is about the size of the Great Black- 
 backed Gull, and very similar in colour, but with 
 a dark tail. The true Wandering Albatross 
 (Diomedea exulans) is white with black wings 
 and black freckling on the back. 
 
 PIGEONS (Columbida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Land-birds, with fotir well-developed toes 
 with no basal webs t and small heads, with bill soft 
 at the base. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a sparrow to that of a small hen 
 turkey (in the great Crowned Pigeons Goura). 
 
 FORM. Bill rather short, thinnest in the middle, soft 
 at the base, where the nostrils are pierced ; feet 
 with short shanks, usually with one row of broad 
 scales in front and quite bare behind, and four 
 toes, the hinder one well developed and the front 
 ones with no webs ; wings variable, short to long ; 
 tail well developed, usually of medium length ; 
 head small, neck rather long, body heavy. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering dense, 
 smooth, powdery, and loosely attached ; coloura- 
 tion commonly drab or grey ; but green is often 
 found in fruit-eating forms, and metallic glosses 
 on portions are common. Some are very brilliant. 
 There is no seasonal change, and the sexes are 
 oftenest alike ; but the fledged young usually differ 
 to some extent, commonly by buff or cinnamon 
 edgings to the feathers. 
 
 YOUNG. Very helpless, only clad in a very scanty 
 long, hairlike down, sometimes even naked. 
 
136 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 They are fed by the parents, inserting their soft 
 swollen bills into the mouths of these. The first 
 food is a milky secretion from the old birds' crops, 
 which is later exchanged for the ordinary food of 
 the parents softened. 
 
 NEST. Very primitive in structure, an open platform 
 of twigs or grass -stems ; usually placed in a tree 
 or bush, sometimes on the ground or in holes of 
 trees, rocks, or buildings. 
 
 EGGS. One or two ; glossy and unspotted, white, rarely 
 slightly tinted. 
 
 INCUBATION. From two to four weeks. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Very demonstrative, but differing much 
 in different groups ; the throat is usually distended, 
 and the tail often spread, but not the wings. 
 Sailing nuptial flights are indulged in by many 
 species, especially the Turtle-doves. 
 
 FOOD. Mainly vegetable, leaves, buds, grain and 
 fruit ; but worms and small snails, etc., are also 
 eaten. They drink by a continued draught, not 
 in sips. 
 
 GAIT. A walk, graceful enough in the ground-feeders, 
 but an awkward waddle in those which keep mostly 
 to trees. Some of these tree -pigeons hop occasion- 
 ally, and some ground species run quickly. 
 
 FLIGHT. Swift and decided, usually by continued 
 rapid strokes of the half-expanded wings. Some 
 species sail at times, but none seem to soar for 
 any distance, or to fly with slow strokes. The neck 
 and legs are outstretched in flight. 
 
 NOTE. Usually pleasant, a " coo " or purr ; a whistle 
 in some fruit -pigeons, and a boom, almost a roar^ 
 in others. There is a short, dull alarm-note, but 
 except for the love -note they are silent birds. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Pigeons are rather stupid 
 on the whole ; wary when molested, and quarrel- 
 some in a weak sort of way. In fighting, they 
 
THE WORLD'S BIBBS. 137 
 
 use their wings much. The pairs show con- 
 siderable devotion, and often caress each other 
 with their bills, but they are not more attached 
 in reality than many other birds. Most species 
 perch, but a few are entirely terrestrial. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are edible, and some are 
 very good ; but at times they are apt to be destructive 
 owing to their fondness for cultivated .crops. The 
 fruit-eating species, however, are harmless, and 
 useful in spreading trees, as they pass the seed 
 undigested, while the smaller seed-eating species 
 destroy much weed-seed. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They live very well indeed, even in cages, 
 and usually breed ; few of the fruit -eaters, how- 
 ever, have as yet been reared in confinement. Two 
 species are completely domesticated : the Common 
 Pigeon, the ancestor of which is the wild Blue Rock 
 (Columba livia), and the Collared Dove (Turtur 
 risorius), which seems to have originated from the 
 wild species T. roseogriseus. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The Pigeons 
 and Doves are found almost all over the world, 
 except in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, even 
 on the remotest islands ; there are over five 
 hundred species. Few frequent completely open 
 country, as the ground-feeders usually breed and 
 roost on trees, while the fruit-pigeons, naturally, 
 always frequent wooded country. Most are found 
 in hot climates, and few are migratory. 
 
 The Blue Rock-Pigeon is widely spread wherever 
 there are cliffs in the Old World ; the tree -haunting 
 Wood-Pigeon (Columba palumbus) is also widely 
 distributed. Turtle-Doves (Turin?) are commonest 
 in hot climates, and confined to the Old World ; 
 in India the Spotted Dove (T. suratensis) is one 
 of the commonest kinds, and the Collared Turtle 
 (T. decaocto) is also common there and extends west 
 
138 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 to Turkey ; it is much like the domestic dove, but 
 drab instead of fawn in colour. 
 
 In North America the Passenger Pigeon (EctO' 
 pistes migratorius), a blue-grey bird with a long 
 tail, once excessively abundant, is now nearly ex- 
 tinct ; the only widely-distributed North- American 
 pigeon being the Mourning Dove (Zenaidura 
 macrura), a drab bird, about the size of the common 
 dove, but with a tail of more pointed shape. 
 
 None of the true fruit-pigeons are found in 
 the New World, the fruit-eating species found 
 there being allied to the typical pigeons, such as 
 the Wood -Pigeon, and none are green ; of the true 
 green fruit-pigeons the best known is perhaps 
 the Hurrial (Crocopus phcenicopterus) of India, 
 a bird about as big as the house -pigeon, with 
 green and lavender plumage and yellow feet. 
 The large species called Imperial Pigeons are 
 well typified by that illustrated. 
 
 The great Crowned Pigeons (Goura) of New 
 Guinea and adjacent islands, are well known in 
 captivity (at least, in the case of G. goura), and 
 are noteworthy, not only for their great size, 
 filmy fan-shaped crests and slate-blue colour, but 
 for having the shanks covered all round with 
 numerous small scales. 
 
 The extinct Dodo and Solitaire were huge heavy 
 flightless Pigeons, referred to a separate family 
 (Didida). The existing Tooth-billed Pigeon 
 (Didunculus strigirostris) of Samoa, though it has 
 a very peculiar thick beak, is not so much like them 
 in this respect as the Thick-billed Green Pigeon 
 (Butreron capelln), closely allied to the Hurrial 
 above-mentioned. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 139 
 
 PUFF-BIRDS (Bucconidez): 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds, with curved or hooked beak 
 of moderate length t and small feet with toes in pairs, 
 the front pair united. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a dove to smaller than a sparrow. 
 
 FORM. Bill moderate in length, strong, with hooked 
 tip or curved throughout, surrounded by bristles 
 at the base ; feet small, with short shanks, fourth 
 toe turned back as well as the first, the two front 
 toes united ; wings usually short and rounded ; 
 tail moderate. Head large. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering full and loose, 
 whence their name ; colours sober, brown variegated 
 with black, black-and-white, or nearly all black. 
 Sometimes a sex difference, but no seasonal change. 
 Bill often red or orange. 
 
 NEST. In the case of the Swallow -winged Puff-bird 
 (Chelidoptera tenebrosa), a hole in a bank. 
 
 EGGS. White, and two in number, in the above 
 species. 
 
 FOOD. Insects, captured on the wing as a rule. 
 
 GAIT. They do not move about much, but sit quietly 
 perched ; on the ground they hop. 
 
 FLIGHT. Not long protracted, apparently, except in 
 the swallow-winged species, which has long wings. 
 
 NOTE. They are generally silent, but some utter loud 
 cries. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND GENERAL HABITS. They are sluggish 
 and remarkably tame ; the common Brazilian 
 species (Malacoptila torquata), a brown buff- 
 streaked bird of the size of a thrush, is locally 
 known as Joao doido (Silly Johnny). 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are, no doubt, useful in a 
 small way as insect-destroyers. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. I do not know that any have been kept. 
 
140 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. There are 
 less than four dozen species, confined to the warm 
 parts of America. The above-mentioned " Joao 
 doido " seems to be the most familiar. 
 
 RAILS (Rallidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Ground birds with no webs between toes, and 
 stout flat-sided bills. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a large fowl to that of a sparrow. 
 
 FORM. Bill flat-sided, varying in length and thick- 
 ness, with nostrils well in front of base and corner 
 of mouth below forehead or half-way to eye ; feet 
 with no web between toes ; front toes usually 
 long, hind-toe short, but long enough to reach the 
 ground ; wings, short, especially upper-arm and 
 forearm ; tail short. Head small, body flat- 
 sided. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering soft and lax, 
 generally plain-coloured, with seldom a sex- 
 difference or seasonal change. Young differing 
 somewhat from adults. Often a bare patch on 
 forehead j eyes nearly always red. 
 
 YOUNG. Active and downy, but for the first few days 
 fed by parents ; down uniform, black or dark 
 brown. They cannot fly till nearly full-grown. 
 
 NEST. A mass of reeds, grass, etc., placed on the 
 ground, among reeds, or in a bush. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; spotted. 
 
 INCUBATION. About three weeks. 
 
 COURTSHIP. The white under tail-coverts are puffed 
 out in many species. 
 
 FOOD. Mixed, some being more feeders on insects 
 and other small animals, and others on herbage and 
 seeds. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run ; they are very good runners, 
 
By courtesy of the Oxford Museum. 
 
 Puff-bird {Bucco chacuru}. (See p. 139.) 
 
 The present species is about the size of a Thrush, brown and white, 
 
 variegated with black, and with the bill red. [To face p. 140. 
 
Photo copyright by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 
 Ypecaha Rail (Aramides ypecaha). (Seep. 142.) 
 
 The Ypecaha is very typical it 
 equalling a fowl. It is col 
 green bill, and red legs. 
 
 in shape, but larger than Rails usually are, 
 'cured brown and grey, with a black tail, 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 141 
 
 and perch freely, readily climbing among vegetation. 
 They can all apparently swim, and generally dive, 
 and the Coots (Fulica), which have the toes fringed 
 with skin, are as aquatic as ducks. 
 FLIGHT. Steady and direct, performed by rapid 
 flaps, with the neck and legs outstretched, the 
 latter drooping down at first in a very characteristic 
 way. They rise awkwardly, and never fly if they 
 can help it, although often able to travel long 
 
 Head and foot of Rail (White-breasted Water-hen). 
 
 distances. There are several flightless species 
 
 with short soft wings ; more, in fact, in this family 
 
 than in any other. 
 NOTE. Various, usually harsh, a croak, cackle, shriek 
 
 or booming sound. 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are intelligent, wary, 
 
 and courageous ; usually they keep much to 
 
 swampy cover, and are most commonly alone or 
 
 in pairs. 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Many are good for food, a 
 
 few occasionally destructive to crops and other 
 
142 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 birds' eggs, while all destroy insects and other 
 small vermin. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. Rails do well in captivity and become very 
 tame. A few species have bred in this condition. 
 The large and beautiful blue thick-billed species of 
 Porphyrio are those most commonly kept. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Rails, of 
 which about two hundred species are known, are 
 found all over the world, even on the remotest 
 islands. Many species are migratory. Our familiar 
 Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) and Coot (Fulica 
 atra) have very wide ranges over the Old World, 
 and are represented in America and Australia by 
 very similar species. The Land-rail or Corn-crake 
 (Crex crex) and Water-rail (Rallus aquaticus) are 
 also widely-distributed in the Old World. In 
 India the White-breasted Water-hen (Amaurornis 
 phoenicura) is the most familiar species. In 
 America the Clapper and Sora Rails (Rallus 
 crepitans and Porzana Carolina) are well-known 
 forms and objects of sport. The former is much 
 like our Water-rail, but larger; the latter some- 
 what like a small Moorhen, with white stripes. 
 
 The " Land-rail " of Australia is the beautiful 
 Philippine Rail (Hypotaenidia philippinensis) , with 
 barred breast and cinnamon -spotted quills. In 
 New Zealand the flightless Weka Rails (Ocydromus) 
 are common, and amount locally to a nuisance in 
 destroying eggs and young birds. The Wekas 
 are streaky-brown birds as big as small fowls. 
 The above-mentioned Porphyrios are confined 
 to the warm parts of the Old World, though 
 some very similarly coloured birds, much smaller 
 (lonornis), are found in America. The nearly- 
 extinct New Zealand Notornis is a huge flightless 
 Porphyrio. The Ypecaha illustrated is South 
 American. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 143 
 
 RHEAS (Rheida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Large running flightless birds, with three 
 toes and fairly large wings, folded as in ordinary 
 birds. 
 
 SIZE. About four feet high or less. 
 
 FORM. Bill flat and short, with central nostrils and 
 corner of mouth beneath centre of eye ; shanks 
 long, toes three, with no basal web ; no hind-toe ; 
 wings fairly large, folded at elbow and wrist as 
 in ordinary birds, covering the body like a cloak. 
 No external tail. General form of body noticeably 
 oval. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Lax and soft, but less so than in other 
 large flightless birds ; the wing-quills long, body- 
 feathers short and close. Head, neck, and thighs 
 all completely feathered. No sex-difference. 
 
 YOUNG. Active and feeding themselves ; down hairy- 
 looking, marked with a few light and dark longi- 
 tudinal stripes, much like young game-birds. 
 
 NEST. A hollow in the ground, scratched out by the 
 male. 
 
 EGGS. Numerous, unspotted, oval and smooth. 
 
 INCUBATION. About six weeks, the male only sitting. 
 The time appears to vary greatly. 
 
 COURTSHIP. The courting male droops his wings, 
 which reach to the ground. 
 
 FOOD. Grass, herbage, etc. ; insects are the chief food 
 of the young at first. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or very rapid run. They swim well. 
 
 NOTE. A boom. 
 
 DISPOSITION, HABITS, ETC. Wary, but easily tamed if 
 taken young. The breeding male is savage, 
 attacking with both bill and foot. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. The long wing-plumes are 
 called " Vautour " (vulture) in the feather trade, 
 and are a good deal used. They can be collected, 
 
144 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 and are so on some Argentine estancias, by driving 
 in and plucking the birds. Clipping would, of 
 course, be better. The flesh is good eating, some- 
 thing between mutton and turkey, and the gizzards 
 have been used for the preparation of pepsin. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. Rheas do well in captivity, both in hot 
 and temperate climates. They breed regularly in 
 European parks. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. South America only, in 
 open grassy country. There are only two species, 
 the Common Rhea (Rhea americana), larger, with 
 grey plumage, black on the crown and at the base 
 of the neck, which lays creamy- white eggs ; and 
 Darwin's Rhea (Rhea darwinii], smaller, brown, 
 spotted with white, and laying pale green eggs. 
 This is confined to Patagonia. Both species are 
 locally known as ostriches. 
 
 ROLLERS (Coraciida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Tree birds of medium size, with crow-like 
 bills and feet with four free toes, the hind-toe 
 smallest. 
 
 FORM. Bill medium, strong, crow-like, corner of 
 mouth below eye ; feet with shanks medium or 
 short, toes four, all free, hind-toe smallest ; wings 
 short to long ; tail medium to long ; head large, 
 body light. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathers close and 
 beautifully coloured, blue, purple, green and 
 lilac being common tints. No sexual difference, 
 as a rule, nor seasonal change, but young are not 
 always like parents. 
 
 YOUNG. Naked and helpless, fed by parents. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; pure white. 
 
 INCUBATION. About three weeks 
 
Photo copyright by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 
 Common Rhea (Rhea americand). (Seep. 144.) 
 
 The above position is often assumed by large birds of many kinds, generally 
 by long-legged ones, but also by some diving-birds. 
 
 [Tojace p. 144. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 145 
 
 COURTSHIP. The male towers up in the air and swoops 
 down. 
 
 NEST. A hole in a tree, bank, or building, sometimes 
 roughly lined, sometimes not. 
 
 FOOD. Almost exclusively animal, consisting of insects 
 and any small vertebrates they can swallow whole, 
 for they do not use their feet in holding food. 
 They usually watch for food from a fixed perch, 
 and dart down on it. They cast up pellets. 
 
 GAIT. The long- winged forms seldom move on the 
 ground, and do so by hops ; the short-winged 
 Ground Rollers run about actively. 
 
 FLIGHT. The ordinary long-winged Rollers fly strongly, 
 with an easy flapping flight, sometimes tumbling 
 over, or playing other antics on the wing. The 
 flight of the short-winged kinds is weak. 
 
 NOTE. Loud and harsh, a croak or cackle. They are 
 rather noisy birds. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are sluggish and un- 
 sociable ; vicious and not very intelligent. They 
 usually sit with the throat feathers puffed out, 
 and often jerk the tail. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Besides their very ornamental 
 appearance, they are recommended by their great 
 usefulness as vermin-destroyers. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They will live well in an aviary, and one 
 species, the Common European Roller (Coracias 
 garrula), has bred under such conditions. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The family, 
 including about three dozen species, falls into two 
 types : the ordinary long-winged, short-legged 
 Rollers (Coraciina), found all over the warmer parts 
 of the Old World; of these the Common Roller 
 (C. garrulus) sometimes visits England, and the 
 Indian Roller (C. indicus) is well known in India 
 as the " Blue- jay " ; the short-winged, long-legged 
 Ground Rollers (Brachypteraciincz) are confined 
 
 10 
 
146 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 to Madagascar, where they inhabit forests. The 
 Kirombos (Leptosomatincs), two very nearly allied 
 species found in Madagascar and the Comoro 
 Islands, are long-winged and short-legged, like 
 ordinary Rollers, but have the feathering advancing 
 on the bill and the outer toe reversible. The male 
 is metallic bronze-green above and grey below, 
 the female brown and buff with black spots. 
 
 SAND-GROUSE (Pteroclidce); 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Ground-birds of medium size with fowl-like 
 bills, long wings, and short feathered legs. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a common pigeon or dove. 
 
 FORM. Bill small, fowl-like ; feet with short feathered 
 shanks and three front toes and a small useless 
 hind-toe, the latter sometimes absent ; wings 
 pointed, long, or very long ; tail rounded or 
 pointed, rather short, but middle feathers often 
 long and pointed. Head small ; body plump and 
 squat, very flat-backed. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Close, coloured mainly sandy, grey, and 
 black ; belly often all black. A seasonal change 
 in some cases ; usually a sexual difference. Young 
 like old female. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy and active, feeding themselves ; 
 down speckled ; the male parents in species 
 bring them water by soaking their breast-feathers 
 and letting the chicks suck these. 
 
 NEST. None ; the eggs being laid on the bare ground 
 in a hollow scratched out. 
 
 EGGS. Usually three ; oval, spotted; 
 
 INCUBATION. Twenty-four days ; the female sitting 
 by day, the male at night. 
 
 FOOD. Seeds, herbage, and a few insects. They drink 
 regularly, in a long draught like pigeons. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIBBS* 147 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run, easier than would be expected 
 from their shape. 
 
 FLIGHT. Swift and direct, by continuous strokes of the 
 wing ; they can travel long distances. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are sociable, but rather 
 quarrelsome. They dust instead of bathing. 
 
 NOTE. A double croak or cackle. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are very fair eating, and 
 carry more breast-meat than any other game-birds ; 
 they are good sporting birds. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They are easy to keep, and two species 
 have bred, Pterocles alchatus and P. exustus. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The dry 
 regions of the Old World, usually in open country. 
 There are about seventeen species; the best known 
 generally, owing to its repeated invasions of 
 Europe, and even our islands, is Pallas' s three-toed 
 Sand-grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus), a migratory 
 species with very long pointed wings; 
 
 SCREAMERS (Palamedeidcz). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Large marsh-birds, with fowl-like bills 
 and two -spurred wings; 
 
 SIZE. About that of a domestic goose. 
 
 FORM. Bill fowl-like, but corner of mouth below 
 forehead ; feet with stout shanks, thighs bare above 
 hock, toes four, all well-developed and on same 
 level, two outer front ones connected by a short 
 web. Wings large, broad, with two spurs on the 
 pinion-joint. Tail short, broad. Head small* neck 
 rather long, body bulky. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Dull, with no sexual difference, and young 
 like parents. 
 
 YOUNG. Active and feeding themselves, much like 
 goslings ; down without markings. In the Crested 
 
 10* 
 
148 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 Screamer (Chauna cristata), yellow, with olive back ; 
 
 the body fledges before the wings, as in ducks. 
 NEST. A mass of vegetable matter, on the ground or 
 
 in shallow water 
 
 EGGS. Several ; oval, spotless, tinted white. 
 INCUBATION. Seven weeks (Crested Screamer in 
 
 London Zoological Gardens). 
 
 COURTSHIP. Nothing but a slight raising of the wings. 
 FOOD. Grass and aquatic herbage. 
 GAIT. A slow walk ; they swim readily, sitting high, 
 
 and sometimes perch. 
 FLIGHT. Heavy but powerful, rather like a vulture's ; 
 
 they can soar with ease. 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Peaceable, except when 
 
 breeding ; slow and rather sluggish ; they caress 
 
 the young affectionately. In fighting they use the 
 
 spurred wings. 
 NOTE. A loud repeated scream or a hiss. The male 
 
 and female call together. 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Their flesh is good, much like 
 
 that of a wild duck. They will also care for young 
 
 poultry at times. 
 CAPTIVITY. They do well, feeding on soft vegetable 
 
 food (soaked bread and boiled rice) and green stuff. 
 
 They have been successfully bred and reared in 
 
 the London Zoological Gardens. 
 DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. South America only, in 
 
 marshes. There are only three species : the 
 
 Kamichi or Horned Screamer (Palamedea cornuta), 
 
 black with a few white markings, and with 
 
 a slender horn on the head ; the Chakar, Chaja, 
 
 or Crested Screamer (Chauna cristata), grey, with 
 
 a narrow crest, and the Derbian Screamer (C. 
 
 derbiana), similar to the last, but darker and 
 
 smaller. 
 
Photo copyright by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 
 Chaja OF 'Crested Screamer (Chaima cristatd). (See p. 14%.) 
 
 The bulky appearance of the body and legs is due to air-cells in the skin. 
 
 [To face p. 148. 
 
Photo copyright by H. Pither, 
 
 Secretary-bird (Serpentarius secretarins}. (Seep. 149-) 
 
 The characteristic shape is well shown, but the drooping of the 
 nearer wing is of course not normal. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 SECRETARY-BIRD (Serpentariidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. A bird of eagle-like aspect, but with very long 
 legs like a wader's. 
 
 SIZE. Large, about that of a hen- turkey, but with much 
 longer legs. 
 
 FORM. Head much as in an eagle, with strong hooked 
 bill, but with the eyes furnished with eye-lashes ; 
 wings long ; shanks long, but the legs are feathered 
 above the hock, not bare there as in most long- 
 legged birds ; four toes, the three front ones all 
 joined at the base by a short web ; tail long, the 
 two centre feathers much the longest ; neck long, 
 body light ; legs feathered down to hocks. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Mostly grey, with black 
 quills and thighs ; sides of face bare, a long 
 straggly drooping crest at back of head ; sexes 
 nearly alike ; young duller, the black thighs 
 pencilled with white. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless, covered with white down and fed 
 by parents ; said not to be able even to stand for 
 months. 
 
 NEST. A large open structure of sticks, placed in a 
 tree. 
 
 EGGS. Two or three ; white, marked with reddish. 
 
 INCUBATION. Six weeks. 
 
 FOOD. Reptiles, including poisonous snakes, and small 
 ground birds and beasts. They strike their prey 
 with one foot as if with a hammer. 
 
 GAIT. A stately walk, or a very quick run ; they can 
 keep this pace up for a long time. 
 
 FLIGHT. Stately in appearance, but not enduring ; 
 swift dogs can run them down. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Harmless except to animals 
 small enough to eat ; easily tamed. 
 
 NOTE. A guttural rattling cry. 
 
150 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are protected as useful 
 destroyers of snakes, etc., but are also destructive 
 to young game-birds and beasts. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They live well in confinement, whether in 
 an aviary or allowed to run about outside, the 
 only difficulty in their management being the readi- 
 ness of their legs to break, which fractures do not 
 unite. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION. Africa, chiefly south of the Sahara, 
 in open dry country. Only the one species is known. 
 
 SEED-SNIPES (Attagida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Quail-like birds, with long sharp wings 
 like snipe, short beaks, and short legs, with no webs 
 between toes. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a turtle-dove to that of a thrush. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, much like a partridge's, but corner 
 of mouth not reaching back further than forehead ; 
 feet with shanks short, covered with small scales 
 all round, front toes without webs, hind-toe small 
 and useless. General shape partridge-like, but 
 for the large pointed wings ; tail short, rounded 
 or pointed. 
 
 PLUMAGE. Mottled brown. No seasonal change ; a 
 sexual difference in some. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy and active ; down speckled as in a 
 young Plover or Snipe, or grey. 
 
 NEST. Slight, a few stalks in a hollow in the ground. 
 
 EGGS. Pale stone colour, thickly speckled with 
 brown ; four in number. 
 
 FOOD. Seeds and herbage. 
 
 GAIT. A walk. 
 
 FLIGHT. Vigorous and active, as in snipe. 
 
 NOTE. Similar to a snipe's, or whistling. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 151 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are sociable, and 
 live in open country, sometimes high up in 
 mountains. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are good eating. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They can be kept, but have never been 
 brought to Europe. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. South America. There 
 are only five species, of which the best -known is 
 the Common Seed-snipe (Thinocorys rumicivorus). 
 
 SHEATHBILLS (Chionididce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. White shore-birds, with short thick beaks 
 and longish legs, with small useless hind-toe. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a crow. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, stout, covered with a horny sheath 
 at base ; feet with medium shanks, a short web 
 between the two outer front toes, hind-toe small 
 and useless. General proportions moderate, wings 
 rather long and pointed, with spurs at the pinion 
 in males ; tail medium. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. White ; no sexual dif- 
 ference. The face is more or less naked and 
 covered with warts. 
 
 YOUNG. Downy and active ; plain grey in colour. 
 First plumage white as in adults. 
 
 NEST. Rough, placed in a hole or hollow on the 
 ground. 
 
 EGGS. Two or three, white, with many red markings. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Somewhat as in pigeons. 
 
 FOOD. Shore animals, eggs, seaweed, carrion. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run ; they can swim on occasion. 
 
 FLIGHT. Said to be like that of a pigeon ; they may 
 sometimes be found far out at sea. 
 
 NOTE. A chuckle. 
 
 HABITS. Tame and inquisitive with man ; pugnacious 
 and destructive to other birds. 
 
152 
 
 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are good to eat, at any 
 
 rate at times. 
 CAPTIVITY. They live well, but are seldom to be seen 
 
 in this state ; they have never been bred, though 
 
 one (Chionis alba) has several times been kept at 
 
 the London Zoological Gardens. 
 DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. The shores and islands 
 
 of the South Atlantic. There are only three species, 
 
 called " Sore-eyed Pigeons " and " Paddy-birds " 
 
 by the whalers: 
 
 SHORE-BIRDS (Charadriidcz). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Ground-birds of moderate or small size, 
 with hind-toe very small or absent, and corner of 
 mouth below forehead. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a pheasant to that of a sparrow. 
 
 FORM. Bill with corner of mouth far forward, level 
 with forehead, and never very stout, but other- 
 wise very variable, sometimes short and pigeon- 
 like, sometimes long, and with a varying curva- 
 ture ; feet with usually rather long shanks, and 
 legs usually bare above the hock ; three front toes, 
 often more or less webbed ; hind-toe always small 
 and useless, often wanting ; wings moderate, 
 pointed or rounded, with tertiary quills often 
 long ; spurred on the pinion-joint in some Lap- 
 wings ; tail short. Head large in Plovers, smaller 
 in other groups. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Colouring seldom bril- 
 liant, usually drab or brown, sometimes streaked 
 or spotted above, and white below. Seldom 
 a sex-difference, but usually a more or less marked 
 seasonal change. Females sometimes brighter and 
 often ' larger than males. Young usually with a 
 distinct plumage, but not a very striking one. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 153 
 
 YOUNG. Active, and feeding themselves from the first ; 
 very protectively coloured, the down striped or 
 peppered above, and white below. The species 
 with long bills have short bills when chicks. They 
 are nearly full-sized before they can fly. 
 
 NEST. A mere " scrape " on the ground, as a rule. 
 A few Sandpipers lay in old nests of other birds. 
 
 EGGS. Large for the size of the birds, somewhat 
 pear-shaped, and usually four in number ; darkly 
 spotted on a drab or olive ground. 
 
 INCUBATION. Three to four weeks. In many cases 
 the male only sits. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Varied ; the male often assumes a stoop- 
 ing posture, but does not usually droop his wings: 
 Many play in the air. Several species assemble 
 for courtship and fighting, as the Ruff (Pavon- 
 cella pugnax) and Great Snipe (Scolopax major). 
 
 FOOD. Chiefly insects, worms, molluscs, etc., for 
 which they often bore. Ground berries and shoots 
 are also eaten, and sometimes seeds. They are 
 constant feeders, and eat a great deal. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or rapid run. They swim at need 
 and some dive well. A few perch. 
 
 FLIGHT. Usually strong and vigorous, with continuous 
 flapping of the wings, which are usually not fully 
 extended. Many species play about in the air. 
 The feet are extended behind, and also the neck 
 by long-necked species. 
 
 NOTE. Varied ; whistling, mewing, or cackling. Some 
 Sandpipers sing or trill when courting. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are usually social, very 
 lively, and pugnacious to a greater extent than 
 would be supposed from their delicate structure. 
 They fight chiefly with the wings. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Many are excellent vermin- 
 destroyers, and the flesh and eggs are often much 
 appreciated as food. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 CAPTIVITY They are easily kept, and a few have 
 bred (Ruff, Redshank, Avocet, Cayenne Lap- 
 wing). 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. This is a 
 numerous family of birds, containing about two 
 hundred species and individually abundant. It 
 is also the most migratory group, and some 
 members of it are found everywhere, though 
 most breed in the north. Our Turnstone, 
 indeed (Strepsilas interpres), is the most widely 
 distributed of all birds, being found on every 
 shore in the world, though only breeding in 
 the north. This species, and its two allies, 
 the Black-headed Turnstone (A. melanocephala) 
 and the Surf -bird (Aphriza virgata) of America, 
 are intermediate between Sandpipers and Plovers. 
 Some of the typical Plovers are found everywhere ; 
 our Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis), which has 
 the wing-lining white, is replaced in Eastern 
 Asia and America by a very similar species (C. 
 dominions), with the wing-lining dark drab, and 
 little Plovers of the Ring-plover (Aegialitis) type 
 inhabit every shore ; one of them, the Kill- deer 
 (Aegialitis vocifera) is the common inland Plover 
 of North America. 
 
 The broad-winged Plovers known as Lap- 
 wings, however, are less migratory, and more 
 limited in distribution ; there are none in North 
 America and New Zealand. The Common Lap- 
 wing of India (Sarcogrammus indicus) is called 
 from its cry, " Did-he-do-it " ; it has a black 
 crown, cherry-red bill, brown back, and yellow 
 legs. The Teru-teru, or Cayenne Lapwing 
 (Vanellus cayennensis) is the common species of 
 South America ; it is somewhat like our bird, but 
 larger and lighter-coloured, and has a pink spur 
 on the pinion- joint; The Australian Lapwing 
 
Photo copyright by IV. S. Berridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 Australian Wattled Lapwing {Lobinanellus lobatus}. (See p. 155.) 
 
 This large Lapwing is nearly as big as a Crow, brown, black, and white, 
 
 with bright yellow bill and face-wattles. [To face p. 154. 
 
Photo copyright by W. S. Beri'idge, F.Z.S. 
 
 Sun Bittern (Enrypyga helias\ 
 
 (Seep. 158.) 
 
 The picture well shows the close-feathered neck, long tail, and short 
 hind-toe, all very different from the true Bitterns, which have a 
 long hind-toe and full ruff on the neck. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 (Lobivanellus lobatus), conspicuous by its yellow 
 face- wattles, is also a well-known bird in its own 
 country. 
 
 The Woodcocks and Snipes also have a wide 
 distribution ; the American Woodcock (PMlohela 
 minor) is smaller than ours, and has not the dark 
 and light markings on the breast and primary quills ; 
 the American Snipe, however (Scolopax wilsoni), 
 is almost identical with ours. Some very big 
 Snipes (S. gigantea, S. nobilis) inhabit South 
 America. The Australian Snipe breeds in Japan. 
 The so-called Painted Snipes (Rostratuld) are 
 confined to warm climates all round the world ; 
 they are not nearly related to the true Snipes, 
 and have the bill slightly bent down and the wings 
 beautifully spotted. The Indian species (R. 
 bengalensis) is also found in Africa, and is very 
 close to the Australian form.- Its general hue is 
 olive green, the quills French-grey spotted with 
 buff. The hen is larger and brighter than the cock. 
 
 The Avocets (Recurvirostra), Stilts (Himantopus), 
 and Oyster -catchers (Haematopus) are usually pied 
 birds, the first with up-turned bills, the second 
 with very long legs, and the third with strong 
 chisel-tipped red beaks ; all have representatives 
 everywhere ; and our two species of Phalaropes 
 (Phalaropus), which have the toes fringed with 
 a web as in coots^ and swim much, are widely 
 spread, though breeding in the north only* 
 
 The Sandpipers are of universal distribution, 
 and the Curlews, with their down-bent beaks, 
 nearly so, but no Curlew is found in New Zealand; 
 An inland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), with 
 a rather long tail, is a well-known and esteemed 
 game-bird in North America, and called there 
 Upland Plover. The Ruff (Machetes pugnax), of 
 the Old World, is renowned for the male's frill 
 
156 THE WOBLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 and tippet, variable in colour, assumed at the 
 breeding-season, and for his pugnacity at that 
 time ; it is the only polygamous bird in the 
 family. 
 
 STORKS (Ciconiida) . 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Large, tall wading-birds , with long stout 
 bill ; all front toes webbed at base, and well-developed 
 hind-toe. 
 
 SIZE. Always large, from nearly three feet high to 
 nearly five. 
 
 FORM. Bill long, stout, straight, or curved at tip 
 (only in the Tantalus group), corner of mouth 
 reaching half-way to eye, nostrils basal ; legs bare 
 above hock, shanks long, three front toes webbed 
 at base, hind-toe well developed ; claws usually 
 short and blunt ; wings large, broad ; tail short. 
 Neck long. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering close, co- 
 loured black, white and grey, the black usually 
 with metallic gloss ; some species (e.g., Adjutant) 
 are powdery. Space between bill and eyes always 
 bare, in some the whole head and neck. Under 
 tail-coverts sometimes very strong and stiff, some- 
 times downy. Sexes alike ; seldom a seasonal 
 change, but young usually different from adults, 
 being brown in many cases. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless and clothed in short down. 
 
 NEST. An open platform of sticks, usually placed on 
 trees or rocks. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; white. 
 
 INCUBATION. About a month. 
 
 COURTSHIP. In the White Stork the male lays his 
 head on his back and erects his tail, clattering his 
 bill ; the Marabout (Leptoptilus crumeniferus) ex- 
 pands his downy under tail-coverts. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 157 
 
 FOOD. Fish, frogs, snakes, molluscs, and small animals 
 generally ; some eat carrion. 
 
 GAIT. A slow walk. 
 
 FLIGHT. Stately and powerful, with slow flaps or 
 motionless gliding ; they soar very high. Both 
 neck and legs are usually extended ; but the 
 Indian Adjutants draw the neck in. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Storks are (except to their 
 prey) harmless and somewhat sociable birds ; at 
 times they are playful, at others they remain quiet 
 for a long time. They perch much, but are not 
 so active in trees as herons. Though waders, 
 they rarely or never wash, and seldom even plume 
 themselves, while they often have dirty legs. 
 
 NOTE. Usually only a clattering of the bill ; but 
 breeding Adjutants bellow, and the young of some 
 species utter a wheezing croak. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. Storks live remarkably well in captivity, 
 and the Common White Stork has bred. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are chiefly useful as ver- 
 min destroyers, but in India the Open-bill (Anas- 
 tomus oscitans) and White-necked Stork (Dissura 
 episcopus) are eaten as " Beefsteak birds." 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. There are 
 about twenty species, found chiefly in hot climates 
 all over the world ; but in North America only the 
 Wood-Ibis (Tantalus loculator) is found. The 
 Common White Stork (Ciconia alba] is well known 
 as a summer migrant in Europe and Western Asia ; 
 in its winter quarters in South Africa it is known 
 as the Great Locust-bird ; the Adjutant (Lepto- 
 ptilus dubius) is familiar in India. It is bald- 
 headed, and grey, and stands about four feet 
 high. The South American Jabiru (Mycteria 
 americana) is equally large, but white, with bald 
 black head. 
 
158 THE 8WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 SUN-BITTERNS (Eurypygida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Wading-birds, with long rail-like beak, 
 small hind-toe and large tail. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a crow. 
 
 FORM. Bill like a long-billed rail's, with central 
 nostrils, and corner of mouth half-way to eye ; 
 legs bare above hock, with long shanks and four 
 toes, the two inner front ones united at base by 
 a small web, the hind-toe small but touching the 
 ground ; wings large, broad and rounded ; tail 
 large and broad. Neck very slender, body light. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering powdery, 
 barred and mottled with black, brown, and buff. 
 Wing and tail quills beautifully banded with chest- 
 nut and ochre- yellow, these colours concealed in 
 repose. No sex-difference or seasonal change ; 
 young in first plumage like adults. 
 
 YOUNG. Clothed in variegated down like a young 
 snipe ; it does not leave the nest, but does not 
 gape, pecking the food from the parent's bill. 
 
 NEST. An open platform of mud and sticks, etc., placed 
 on a tree. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; spotted; 
 
 INCUBATION. Twenty-seven days. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Probably the expansion of the beautiful 
 wings and tail, a common gesture, is that used 
 in courtship. 
 
 FOOD. Insects, small fish, etc. 
 
 GAIT. A slow stealthy-looking walk. 
 
 FLIGHT. Very light and butterfly-like. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. A quiet, harmless, but un- 
 sociable bird. 
 
 NOTE. A metallic whistle, or a grating hiss when 
 alarmed. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. These birds are useful insect 
 destroyers. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 159 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They have done well in the London 
 Zoological Gardens, and reared young there. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND PRINCIPAL SPECIES. Two species 
 only (Eurypyga helias and E. major) are known, 
 much like each other, inhabiting South America 
 and living by the waterside in wooded places. 
 
 SWIFTS (Cypselidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Swallow-like birds, with the first toe the 
 smallest, and only ten tail-feathers (as against twelve 
 in swallows}. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a blackbird to that of a tit 
 (allowing for shape). 
 
 FORM. Much as in swallows, with small bill and feet 
 and long wings. Bill with corner of mouth coming 
 below eye ; feet with very short shanks, usually 
 feathered, and never scaled, first toe smallest and 
 often directed inwards and forwards instead of 
 backwards ; wings very long ; tail long or short, 
 forked, square or rounded ; in latter case often 
 with spinous tips to quills. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Black and white com- 
 monly, but sometimes showing brown or metallic 
 blue and green ; usually no sex-difference, and no 
 seasonal change. Fledged young much like adults, 
 but with light edgings to the feathers. 
 
 YOUNG. Naked and helpless, fed by parents. 
 
 EGGS. One to four ; pure white, elongated in form: 
 
 NEST. Various, usually on rocks or buildings, some- 
 times on trees ; made more or less of the birds' 
 sticky saliva. 
 
 INCUBATION. Eighteen days. 
 
 FOOD. Insects, usually captured on the wing. (I 
 have, however, once seen a Collocalia picking in- 
 sects off a tree as it swept past.) 
 
 GAIT. An awkward crawling walk ; they are planti- 
 
160 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 grade, not standing upon the toes. They climb 
 and cling well, but only a few perch on trees in the 
 ordinary way. They are seldom seen otherwise 
 than on the wing. 
 
 FLIGHT. Swift and easy, some being said to be the 
 swiftest of all birds. Sometimes they cannot rise 
 off the ground, but not by any means always. 
 
 NOTE. A twitter or scream. They never sing as some 
 swallows do. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Lively and sociable ; they 
 are also courageous, often turning sparrows and 
 swallows out of their nests. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Except when they displace 
 swallows, they are highly beneficial by reason 
 of their feeding habits. One species (Collocalia 
 francica), which builds entirely with its sticky 
 saliva, produces the valuable " edible birds' - 
 nests " of Eastern commerce. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They have never been kept in this state 
 for any length of time. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. There are 
 about a hundred species in this family, which 
 is found all round the world, chiefly in warm, 
 but also in temperate climates ; those frequenting 
 the latter migrate south in winter ; there are none 
 in New Zealand. The familiar sooty-brown British 
 species (Cypselus apus) extends over a large part 
 of the Old World ; but the common Swift of tropical 
 Africa and India is Cypselus affinis, smaller and 
 blacker than the British species, with a white 
 patch on the back. The Great Alpine Swift 
 (Cypselus melba), light brown above, white below, 
 is also a widely-distributed European species, but 
 only a straggler in England. The common Swift 
 of North America is the Chimney Swift (Chaetura 
 pelasgia), black, with a spiny tail, building a nest 
 of glued twigs in chimneys. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 161 
 
 THICK- KNEES OR STONE-PLOVERS ((Edicnemidcz). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Plover-like birds, with stout bills, the 
 corner of the mouth reaching half-way to the eye, 
 and three toes all webbed at the base. 
 
 SIZE. Larger than most Plovers, from the size of a 
 jackdaw to that of a hen pheasant. 
 
 FORM. Much as in Plovers, with large head and eyes, 
 the latter always some shade of yellow. Bill 
 stout, with corner of mouth half-way to eye ; feet 
 with long shanks, thickened at the hock, finely 
 scaled all round, with three short toes all webbed 
 at base ; wings large ; tail pointed, rather short. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Either light brown, 
 streaked or mottled with darker, or plain drab. 
 Flight feathers and side tail-quills boldly marked 
 black and white. No sex- difference or seasonal 
 change ; fledged young resembling adults. 
 
 YOUNG. Stone-coloured, with small dark markings 
 above. First plumage as in adults. 
 
 EGGS. Two only ; relatively large, olive or brown, 
 with black markings. 
 
 INCUBATION. Between a fortnight and a month, 
 apparently. 
 
 COURTSHIP. Probably the display mentioned below. 
 
 FOOD. Insects, worms, snails, small vertebrates. 
 
 GAIT. A quick walk or run. 
 
 FLIGHT. Not very fast, performed by continuously 
 repeated strokes of the wings. 
 
 NOTE. A whistle or shriek. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are shy, nocturnal, and 
 unsociable, being usually seen alone and in pairs. 
 They have a peculiar habit of rushing about with 
 wings and tail expanded at times, and when wishing 
 to hide, lie along the ground with outstretched 
 necks. 
 
 II 
 
162 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are useful in destroying 
 small vermin, and do no harm at all. Some species 
 are good eating. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They live well in confinement, but are 
 not often kept, and have not bred in this state. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Warm and 
 temperate regions all round the world, except in 
 North America and New Zealand. There are about 
 a dozen species. They are usually resident, and 
 generally haunt dry places. Our migratory species, 
 the Stone-curlew or Norfolk Plover ((Edicnemus 
 cedicnemus), ranges widely across the Old World ; 
 in India it is known as Bastard Florican. In the 
 latter country a large species, the Great Stone- 
 Plover (Esacus magnirostris), is common, haunting 
 river banks. It is plain drab, with very large bill 
 and eyes. In Australia the most familiar represen- 
 tative is the long-legged Burhinus grallarius, and 
 in $outh Africa the Dikkop ((Edicnemus capensis). 
 The species illustrated ((E. bistriatus) is one of 
 the largest. 
 
 TINAMOUS (Tinamida}. 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Partridge-like birds with nostrils in middle 
 of bill and no webs at base of toes. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a hen-pheasant to that of a thrush. 
 
 FORM. Bill short to rather long, with central 
 nostrils, and sheath divided into pieces by 
 grooves ; corner of mouth below eye, tongue 
 very short ; eye with eyelashes ; feet with 
 shanks of medium length and three short toes 
 not united at the base by webs, and usually a 
 small useless hind-toe ; wings short and rounded ; 
 tail not noticeable, of small soft feathers. Head 
 
Photo copyright by W. S. Ber ridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 Double-banded Thick-knee (Edicnemus blstriatus). (Seep. 161.) 
 
 This Central American species is much larger than our "Stone Curlew," 
 and has a cinnamon crown with black band on each side. 
 
 [To face p. 162. 
 

 
 Photo copyright by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 
 
 Rufous Tinamou (Rhynckottis rufescens). (Seep. 163.) 
 This species is about as big as a Pheasant, and in colour dun barred-with 
 black, with cinnamon primary quills. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 163 
 
 small, neck rather long, body heavy, with pro- 
 minent thighs. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Powdery, brown, or 
 grey, either uniform or barred or speckled ; no 
 seasonal change or sexual difference, but the hen 
 is larger ; young like adults. 
 
 YOUNG. Much like young rheas, clad in hairy-looking 
 down. They fledge very soon. 
 
 NEST. None ; eggs being laid on bare ground. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; oval, unspotted, richly coloured and 
 with a glazed appearance. 
 
 INCUBATION. Three weeks ; it is performed by the 
 male only. 
 
 COURTSHIP. In the Rufous Tinamou the male stands 
 up and displays his quills, stretching them down- 
 wards and forwards. 
 
 FOOD. Grain, herbage, insects, etc. 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run. 
 
 FLIGHT. Heavy and direct, by continuous vibration 
 of the wings ; they cannot fly far. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are rather stupid ; 
 the hen is thoroughly masculine in character, and 
 seems to mate with several males. 
 
 NOTE. A whistle, often very beautiful. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are excellent eating, and 
 good sporting birds, passing as partridges in South 
 America. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They live well, and some species have bred. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. There are 
 about seventy species, confined to Mexico, Central 
 and South America,; chiefly in wooded or grassy 
 country. They are usually ground-birds, but 
 at least one roosts at night. The most familiar 
 species is the Rufous Tinamou (Rhynchotus ru- 
 fescens), often imported to Europe, as large as a 
 small fowl, and barred black and dun, with cinna- 
 mon primary quills and a long bill. 
 
 11* 
 
164 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 TODIES (Todida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Small perching birds with long flat bills, 
 
 rather long legs, and front toes joined. 
 SIZE. About that of a wren. 
 FORM. Bill long, straight and flat ; feet with rather 
 
 long shanks, and three toes in front, more or less 
 
 united, and a smaller hind-toe. Wings and tail 
 
 short. 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Green, with a red 
 
 throat ; there is no sex- difference or seasonal 
 
 change. The species only differ in colouration 
 
 of the sides. 
 
 YOUNG. Naked and helpless. 
 NEST. A hole dug out in a bank, slightly lined with 
 
 grass, etc. 
 
 EGGS. Several ; pure white. 
 COURTSHIP. The plumage is ruffled up and wings 
 
 drooped. 
 FOOD. Insects, and generally captured on the wing 
 
 in darts. 
 GAIT. They seem not to move about much on their 
 
 feet, but apparently hop. 
 FLIGHT. Short and rapid, but feeble. 
 NOTE. A soft, plaintive squeak. 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are sluggish and 
 
 solitary. 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Like other insect-eating birds, 
 
 they no doubt have their utility as pest-destroyers. 
 CAPTIVITY. They have been reared from the nest in 
 
 one instance, but never brought to Europe. 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. There are 
 
 but four, very similar, forms, confined to the 
 
 West Indian Islands. The best known is the 
 
 Green Tody of Jamaica (Todus viridis), sometimes 
 
 called " Robin Redbreast " in that island. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 165 
 
 TOUCANS (Rhamphastida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Pair-toed birds of medium size, with 
 enormous beaks, curved in profile. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a rook to that of a missel-thrush. 
 
 FORM. Bill enormous, curved in profile, with nostrils 
 at the very base, and corner of mouth reaching 
 to front of eye ; feet with short strong shanks, 
 and fourth toe as well as first turned back, so that 
 the toes are in two pairs ; wings short ; tail rather 
 
 
 
 Head and foot (from the inside) of large Toucan. 
 
 long, rounded or wedge-shaped ; head large. 
 
 Tongue long, and fringed at the edges. 
 PLUMAGE. Brightly coloured ; black or green, with 
 
 contrasting patches of yellow and red, as a rule. 
 
 A bare patch round eyes, usually brightly tinted, 
 
 asis also the enormous bill. Sexes alike or different ; 
 
 young like adults. 
 YOUNG. Naked, and fed by parents ; the bill has not 
 
 nearly attained its full size when they are fledged. 
 NEST. A hole in a tree. 
 EGGS. Two ; white and glossy. 
 FOOD. Fruit and small animals. 
 
166 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 GAIT, ETC. An awkward hop when on the ground, to 
 which they seldom venture ; they also hop side- 
 ways along boughs and jump quickly from one to 
 another, most of their life being spent in trees. 
 
 FLIGHT. Rather heavy and laboured, with constant 
 flaps of the short wings ; the feet are drawn up and 
 the neck stretched out. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Intelligent and apparently 
 affectionate ; sociable among themselves, but 
 often mischievous and cruel to other birds. They 
 sleep with the tail turned over the back. 
 
 NOTE. A yelp ; they are often very noisy. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are esteemed as food where 
 they are found. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They are hardy and amusing birds where 
 confined, and in a large aviary some species at least 
 will stand a good deal of cold. None have bred in 
 confinement. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. There are 
 about sixty species, found in the warmer parts of 
 America, in forests ; the Hill Toucans (A ndigena] 
 ascending the Andes to a temperate climate. The 
 small, wedge-tailed, dark-green species are called 
 Aragaris. One species of these, the Lettered 
 Aragari (Pteroglossus inscriptus) is frequently im- 
 ported into England ; it is about the size of a dove, 
 dark-green above, yellow below, with cream- 
 coloured bill curiously marked with black. The 
 Sulphur-breasted Toucan (Rhamphastos carinatus), 
 as big as a rook, black, with sulphur breast and 
 bill coloured green, red and blue, is also not un- 
 common in captivity. The small species illus- 
 trated exemplifies the Toucanets (Selenidera), which 
 closely approach the Barbets, to which Toucans 
 are nearly allied. 
 
Spotted-billed Toucanet (Sclcmdera maculirostns). (Seep. 166.) 
 
 In this Toucan the bill is hardly larger than in some Barbels; 
 the bird is about as big as a Dove. 
 
 Photos copyright by W. S. Berridge, F.Z.S. 
 
 Boat-billed Heron (Cancroma cochlearid). (Seep. 56.) 
 Although the bill of this bird is broad and boat-shaped, in other 
 respects it closely resembles the Night Herons. 
 
 [To face p. 166. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. ^7 
 
 TOURACOUS (Musophagidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Medium-sized tree-birds, with short stout 
 bill, and outer toe united by a short basal web to 
 middle one. 
 
 SIZE. From a pheasant's to a jay's ; mostly the latter. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, stout, upper profile curved, 
 corner of mouth below eye ; feet with rather 
 
 Head and foot of Touracous. 
 
 short shanks, and four toes, the first, or hinder, 
 smallest, the fourth also usually turned back, 
 though united by a web at base to the middle 
 one thus the toes are generally in pairs, though 
 sometimes, and always in death, the outer toe 
 comes forward. Head small, almost always crested ; 
 neck rather long. Wings short and rounded ; tail 
 long and rounded. 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathers rather hairy 
 
168 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 in texture, generally beautifully coloured with 
 green and purple, sometimes grey. Most of the 
 high-coloured forms have carmine primary -quills 
 concealed in repose. No sexual difference or 
 seasonal change ; the young much resemble adults. 
 YOUNG. Not very active^ remaining in the nest and 
 fed by parents, clad in dark-coloured down with- 
 out markings. They crawl about by aid of their 
 wings. 
 
 EGGS. Three ; greenish or bluish- white. 
 INCUBATION. Three weeks. 
 NEST. A platform of twigs in a tree or bush. 
 FOOD. Fruit and small animals, such as insects and 
 
 worms. 
 
 GAIT. They keep mostly to the trees, springing from 
 one bough to another very lightly, and running 
 along the boughs like pheasants on the ground. 
 When they do visit the ground they run there 
 very rapidly also. 
 
 FLIGHT. Very light and graceful, but probably not 
 enduring. The feet are tucked up in front when 
 in flight, and the neck extended. 
 NOTE. Loud, and not much modulated. 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are not beneficial where 
 fruit is grown, but do not seem to be very harmful ; 
 they are extremely ornamental. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They seem to be sociable 
 'and playful ; sometimes spiteful to other birds. 
 They spring and strike with their feet when 
 fighting. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They do very well when confined, and 
 one species (Turacus macrorhynchus) has been bred 
 successfully in England. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. There are 
 about three dozen species, found in Africa south 
 of the Sahara, in forest and wooded plains. The 
 best known species is perhaps the plainest, the 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 169 
 
 Gray Touracou, or Quay-bird (Schizorhis concolor), 
 detested by sportsmen for its habit of alarming 
 game. Touracous are called Loories at the Cape. 
 
 TROGONS (Trogonida}. 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Pair -toed birds, with the outer toe of each 
 
 pair shorter than the inner. 
 SIZE. From that of a pigeon to that of a lark. 
 FORM. Bill short, stout, with the outlines curved, 
 
 Head and foot (from the inside) of Trogon. 
 
 and corner of mouth below eye ; feet small, with 
 short shanks, the first and second toes turned back- 
 wards, instead of the first and fourth, as usual in 
 pair-toed birds ; hence the outer toe of each pair 
 is the smallest, unlike what is found in the others. 
 Wings moderate, with narrow, curved, stiff quills. 
 Tail long, with the feathers squared at the tips. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Plumage soft and usually 
 brilliant, often showing metallic green or bright 
 red, and also fine black-and-white pencilling. Often 
 a sexual difference, but no seasonal change. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless, and fed by parents ; but they are 
 little known. 
 
170 THE WOBLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 NEST. A hole in a tree or bank. 
 
 EGGS. White or tinted ; two to four in number. 
 
 INCUBATION. About three weeks. 
 
 FOOD. Insects and fruit ; chiefly or entirely the former 
 in Old World species. Food is usually taken on 
 the wing, the bird darting out to catch an insect 
 or pluck a fruit, and then returning to its perch. 
 
 GAIT. They seem not to hop or walk about, but to 
 either fly or remain perched. 
 
 FLIGHT. Whirring when flying a short distance, un- 
 dulating when going far. 
 
 NOTE. Rather discordant ; clucking, whistling, or 
 chattering. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are solitary, unsocial 
 and quiet, frequenting forests. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. As insect destroyers they are 
 serviceable, and the fruit they take is only wild 
 berries ; they are also very ornamental. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. The Indian Red-headed Trogon (Harpactes 
 erythrocephalus) has been kept in captivity at the 
 Calcutta Zoological Garden, and an American 
 species in the New York one ; the ancient Aztecs 
 also used to keep the Quezal (Pharomacrus mocinno) 
 for the sake of its plumage. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. The family, 
 which includes about fifty species, is found, 
 in warm regions only, all round the world, but 
 not in Australia ; and only two species are African. 
 The only species generally known as they are 
 never abundant or familiar birds is the cele- 
 brated Quezal of Central America, above-men- 
 tioned, figured on the Guatemala stamps. It is as 
 large as a pigeon, intense golden-green, with red 
 abdomen, and with the male's upper tail-coverts 
 a yard long. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 171 
 
 TROPIC-BIRDS (Phaethontidcz). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Long-winged sea-fowl, with long pointed 
 tails, and all the toes united by a web, and non-hooked 
 bill. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a crow or small gull. 
 
 FORM. Bill nearly straight, upper outline curved, 
 horny covering uniform, with distinct slit-like 
 nostrils and corner of mouth reaching below eye ; 
 feet small, with very short shanks and all toes 
 united by a web, the first very small and turned 
 inwards ; wings very long ; tail long and pointed, 
 the centre feathers especially long. Head large, 
 neck short. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering satiny, 
 colouring mostly white or very pale ; no sexual 
 difference or seasonal change. Adults with central 
 tail feathers very long ; young with the upper 
 plumage black-barred. Bill red or yellow, eyes 
 and toes dark. 
 
 YOUNG. Helpless and fed by parents ; clothed in very 
 full fluffy white down. 
 
 NEST. None, the birds breeding in an unlined hole in 
 a rock or tree. 
 
 EGG. One ; white, mottled with brown. 
 
 FOOD. Sea-fish, on which the birds swoop from the 
 air. 
 
 GAIT. An awkward waddle ; they seldom need to 
 walk, but perch quietly when not flying ; they are 
 not often seen at rest even on the water. 
 
 FLIGHT. With rapid continuous beats of the wings, 
 like a duck's. 
 
 NOTE. A harsh scream or prolonged whistle. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are brave birds, 
 resenting intrusion when nesting. They are 
 usually seen well out at sea, generally singly or at 
 most in pairs, and almost always on the wing. 
 
172 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. The tail-feathers are used as 
 ornaments by various island savage races. They 
 do no harm, and are very ornamental. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. I know no case of any species being kept 
 in this condition. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES. They are found in warm 
 seas all round the world, but are not abundant birds, 
 and there are only six species. They breed in 
 islands. With the exception of the Red-tailed 
 Tropic-Bird (Phaethon mbricauda), which has the 
 long centre tail-feathers red, and the Orange 
 Tropic-Bird (P. fulvus), which is of a salmon- 
 orange colour, they all look much alike. They 
 are called Boatswain-birds by sailors. 
 
 TRUMPETERS (Psophiida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Ground-birds of moderate size, with short, 
 fowl-like bill, long legs, and two outer front toes 
 webbed at the base. 
 
 SIZE. About that of a fowl. 
 
 FORM. Bill short, fowl-like ; feet with long shanks, 
 toes moderate, two outer front ones webbed at 
 base ; hind-toe short, elevated, and useless ; 
 wings fowl-like, short and rounded ; tail very short, 
 not noticeable. Head small, neck rather long. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Feathering dark, close 
 and velvety on head, green or purple, metallic 
 and scaly-looking on breast, back covered with a 
 mantle of long, loose grey, white, or green fathers. 
 No sex-difference or seasonal change. Legs usually 
 green. 
 
 YOUNG. Active and downy. 
 
 NEST. On the ground. 
 
 EGGS. White, with a greyish or yellowish tinge. 
 
 FOOD. Grain, fruit, etc., much as in pheasants. 
 
Photo copyright by Ca.pt. Flower. 
 
 Whale-headed Stork (Balaniceps rex}. (Seep. 173.) 
 
 This bird is of a slaty-grey colour, and stands about four feet high. 
 The bill is yellow, with darker mottlings. 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 173 
 
 GAIT. A walk or run ; they are active birds, and can 
 run long distances, and swim in case of need. 
 They perch freely. 
 
 FLIGHT. Weak and not protracted far. 
 
 HABITS AND DISPOSITION. They are sociable, coura- 
 geous, intelligent birds, living in flocks. They 
 bathe freely. 
 
 NOTE. A very curious, inward, prolonged, rumbling 
 sound. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are sometimes used to 
 protect and look after poultry. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. In this state they live well, and get so 
 tame as not to need confinement in any way, fol- 
 lowing their owners about. They fight or make 
 friends with other animals, and altogether show 
 an unusual amount of character. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION. There are only about six species, 
 found in the forest regions of South America. All 
 are much alike, being distinguished chiefly by the 
 colour of the back. The most familiar is the 
 Common Trumpeter (Psophia crepitans), which is 
 usually on view at the Zoological Gardens. 
 
 WHALE-HEADED STORK (Balaenicipitida). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. A large stork-like bird, with short and very 
 bulky bill: 
 
 SIZE. About four feet high. 
 
 FORM. Bill rather short, very broad and deep, boat- 
 shaped, in fact, and hooked at the tip ; corner of 
 mouth below eye ; legs long as in storks generally ; 
 feet with long toes, none webbed at the base ; wings 
 large, tail short. Head large, crested slightly at 
 back. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Plumage grey, with paler 
 
I 7 4 
 
 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 edges to the feathers ; no sex-difference or seasonal 
 
 change. Young browner than adult. 
 YOUNG. Helpless at first, apparently, but they seem 
 
 to run about fairly early. 
 NEST. On the ground. 
 EGGS. White. 
 FOOD. Fish and aquatic reptiles, also the entrails of 
 
 dead animals. 
 GAIT. A walk. 
 FLIGHT. High and powerful. 
 NOTE. A clattering of the beak. 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Sociable ; frequenting 
 
 marshes. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. Probably useful as a scavenger. 
 CAPTIVITY. The species was exhibited in 1860 in the 
 
 London Zoological Gardens, and recently at those 
 
 of Cairo. 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. One species 
 
 only (Balaeniceps rex) is known, from the country 
 
 watered by the Upper White Nile. 
 
 WOODPECKERS (Picidce). 
 
 DIAGNOSIS. Tree-birds, with straight beak of medium 
 thickness and toes in pairs, or one only behind. 
 
 SIZE. From that of a crow to that of a tit. 
 
 FORM. Bill of medium length and stoutness, straight 
 or very slightly curved, usually compressed and 
 chisel- tipped, corner of mouth coming half-way to 
 eye ; feet with short shanks and strong sharp 
 curved claws, two toes in front and usually two 
 behind, sometimes only one behind, the inner hind 
 or first toe being in some cases rudimentary or 
 wanting ; wings of medium length or short ; tail 
 medium or short, usually very stiff and serving 
 as a support. Head large, neck rather long in 
 
THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 175 
 
 some. Tongue very long and extensible, hard 
 and barbed at tip. 
 
 PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Varied in colour, very 
 commonly black and white, sometimes olive-green, 
 or brown, never showing any blue, but very often 
 red or yellow ; no seasonal change, but usually a 
 small difference between the sexes. Young differing 
 little from parents ; sex-difference apparent at once. 
 
 YOUNG. Naked and helpless, fed by parents ; they have 
 bare, swollen skin at the gape, and a warty pad 
 on the hock, as nestlings, and move about in the 
 nest on their hocks. 
 
 NEST. A hole pecked out in a tree or bank. 
 
 EGGS. Several, pure glossy white. 
 
 INCUBATION. A fortnight, or a little more. 
 
 COURTSHIP. In the American Flicker (Colaptes auratus] 
 the male displays his wings. 
 
 FOOD. Chiefly insects, especially wood-borers and 
 shelterers under bark ; berriesj fruit, nuts, and 
 sometimes the sap of trees, are also taken by 
 some. They usually seek food on trees, but some 
 feed on the ground. 
 
 GAIT. On the ground they hop awkwardly, but on 
 the trees they are very active, seldom hopping 
 from bough to bough, but climbing up and round 
 the trunks and large branches ; they descend, if 
 at all, tail first. 
 
 FLIGHT. Usually somewhat undulating, a few beats 
 of the wings alternating with closure of them for 
 a moment. The feet are carried tucked up in 
 front, and the neck extended. 
 
 NOTE. Usually harsh, a cackle or " laugh " ; some- 
 times a piping sound. 
 
 DISPOSITION AND HABITS. Shy unless protected, un- 
 sociable as a rule, and often rather quarrelsome. 
 Young birds in some cases will fight violently as 
 soon as fledged. 
 
176 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 
 
 ECONOMIC QUALITIES. They are, on the whole, most 
 useful, destroying insects injurious to timber. 
 
 CAPTIVITY. They live well if reared from the nest, 
 but are very quarrelsome with each other ; they 
 become very tame and make good pets. They have 
 not been bred, in England at all events. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. This family, 
 numbering nearly three hundred and fifty species, 
 is found all over the world except in the Aus- 
 tralian region, almost always in wooded country, 
 though a few frequent the ground or rocks ; they 
 are, on the whole, resident, few being migratory. 
 The family includes three sections, the typical 
 Woodpeckers (Picina), with the typical structure 
 and habits of the family, and found throughout 
 its range ; the Piculets (Picumnincz), tiny birds 
 with rather the habits of tits, and numbering 
 only a few species, found in West Africa, South-East 
 Asia, and South America ; and Wrynecks (lyngince], 
 with very finely-pencilled plumage and normal tails, 
 including our well-known migratory species and a 
 few others, confined to the Old World outside 
 Australia. Our commonest Woodpecker in Eng- 
 land is the Green (Gecinus viridis,) about the size 
 of a pigeon, olive-green, with red crown and yellow 
 patch above tail ; in India the Golden-backed 
 (Brachypternus aurantius), with the crown red 
 and upper surface dull golden, is the best known ; 
 and in North America the Golden-winged or Flicker 
 (Colaptes auratus), a dove-brown bird, with spotted 
 breast, barred back, and red .crescent on the 
 back of head, and with the quill-shafts bright 
 golden yellow. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 ADJUTANT, 157. 
 Albatrosses, 134. 
 Amazons, 91. 
 American Vultures, i . 
 American Warblers, 95. 
 Ani, White, 22. 
 Ant-birds, 96. 
 Apteryx. 74. 
 Argus Pheasant, 44. 
 Auks, 3. 
 Avadavat, 126. 
 Avocets, 155. 
 
 BABBLERS, 97. 
 Barbets, 4. 
 Bearded Reedling, 97. 
 Bee-eaters, 6. 
 Beefsteak-birds, 157. 
 Bell-birds, 102. 
 Birds-of-Paradise, 98. 
 Birds' nests, edible, 160. 
 Birds of prey, diurnal, 25. 
 Bitterns, 56. 
 Blackbirds, 118, 120. 
 Black-cock, 44. 
 Blight-birds, 98. 
 Blue-bird, 118. 
 Boat -bill, 56. 
 Boatswain-birds, 172. 
 Bobolink, 120. 
 Bob- white, 42. 
 Bonxie, 53. 
 Booby, 46. 
 Bower-birds, 99. 
 Broadbills, 100. 
 Budgerigar, 91, 
 Bulbuls, 100. 
 Buntings, 106. 
 Burgomaster, 53. 
 
 Bustards, 8. 
 Buzzards, 27. 
 
 CANARY, 105. 
 Capercailzie, 44. 
 Caracara, 28. 
 Cardinal, 106. 
 Carrion-crows, 2, 107. 
 Cassowaries, n. 
 Cat-bird, 119. 
 Cedar-bird, 124. 
 Chacalacca, 24. 
 Chaja, 148. 
 Chats, 117. 
 Chickadee, 120. 
 Chuck- Will's widow, 83. 
 Cock-of-the-Rock, 102. 
 Cockatoos, 91. 
 Colics, 81. 
 Colins, 42. 
 Condor, 2. 
 Coots, 141. 
 Copper-smith, 6. 
 Corncrake, 142. 
 Coursers, 15. 
 Cow-birds, 121. 
 Crab-Plover, 17. 
 Cranes, 18. 
 Crazy Widow, 77. 
 Creepers, 103. 
 Crocodile-bird, 16. 
 Crow-pheasant, 22. 
 Crows, 103. 
 Cuckoos, 20. 
 Cuckoo-shrikes, 113. 
 Curassows, 23. 
 Curlews, 155. 
 Cut- throat Lark, 123. 
 
 12 
 
I 7 8 
 
 DABCHICKS, 49. 
 
 Darters, 13. 
 
 Dippers, 118. 
 
 Diurnal Birds of Prey, 25. 
 
 Dodo, 138. 
 
 Doves, 137. 
 
 Drongos, 104. 
 
 Ducks, 30. 
 
 EAGLES, 27. 
 Emu, ii. 
 
 FALCONS, 27. 
 Fantail, 107. 
 Finches, 105. 
 Finfoots, 34. 
 Flamingoes, 35. 
 Flicker, 176. 
 Florican, 9. 
 Flower-peckers, 106. 
 Fly- catchers, 107. 
 Fowls, 43. 
 Franco! ins, 43. 
 Frigate-birds, 37. 
 Frog-mouths, 38. 
 Fulmar, 134. 
 
 GAME-BIRDS, 40. 
 Gannets, 45. 
 Geese, 32. 
 Gold crests, 124. 
 Grebes, 47. 
 Greenlets, 108. 
 Grouse, 42. 
 Griffon Vultures, 27. 
 Guacharo, 49. 
 Guans, 24. 
 Guillemots, 4. 
 Guinea-fowls, 42. 
 Gulls, 50. 
 
 HAMMERKOP, 54. 
 Hang-nests, 120. 
 Harriers, 28. 
 Hawks, 27. 
 H>dge-sparrow, 97. 
 Hell-tlrv^rs, 49. 
 Herons, 56. 
 Hoatzin, 58. 
 Honey-eaters, 108. 
 Honey-guides, 59. 
 Hoopoes, 61. 
 Hornbills, 62. 
 Humming-birds, 65. 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 IBISES, 67. 
 
 JABIRU, 157. 
 Ja9amars, 68. 
 Ja9anas, 69. 
 Jackass, Laughing, 74. 
 ackdaw, 104. 
 
 " Joao doido, 139. 
 Jungle-fowl, 43. 
 
 KAGU, 71. 
 Kaka, 92. 
 Kea, 92. 
 Kestrels, 27. 
 Kill-deer, 154. 
 King-bird, 122. 
 King-crow, 105. 
 Kingfishers, 72. 
 Kirombos, 144. 
 Kiskadee, 122. 
 Kites, 28. 
 Kittiwakes, 53* 
 Kiwis, 74. 
 Koel, 21. 
 
 LAMMERGEIER, 27. 
 Lapwings, 154. 
 Larks, 108. 
 Limpkins, 76. 
 Locust-birds, 16, 157 
 Lories, 91. 
 Lyre-birds, 109. 
 
 MACAWS, 91. 
 Mallard, 33. 
 Mamos, no. 
 Manakins, no. 
 Mannikins, 125. 
 Marabou, 156. 
 Martins, 115. 
 Mergansers, 33. 
 Mesites, 77. 
 Mocking-birds, 119. 
 Mollymawk, 135. 
 Monaul, 43. 
 Moorhen, 142. 
 Morepork, 36. 
 Motmots, 78. 
 Mound-birds, 791 
 Mouse-birds, 81. 
 Mutton-bird, 134. 
 Mynahs, 113. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 I 79 
 
 NATIVE-COMPANION, 20. 
 Nelly, 134. 
 Night-hawk, 83. 
 Night-heron, 57. 
 Nightingales, 118. 
 Nightjars, 82. 
 Noddies, 53. 
 Nuthatches, no. 
 
 OIL-BIRD, 50. 
 Open-bill, 157. 
 Organ-bird, 128. 
 Orioles, in, 120. 
 Osprey, 28. 
 Ostriches, 84, 144. 
 Oven-birds, 96, 127. 
 Owls, 86. 
 Ox-peckers, 114. 
 Oyster-catchers, 155. 
 
 PAAUW, 9. 
 Parrots, 88. 
 Partridges, 43. 
 Passerine birds, 92 128. 
 Pea-fowl, 43. 
 Pelicans, 128. 
 Penguins, 130. 
 Petrels, 132. 
 Phalaropes, 155. 
 Pheasants, 42. 
 Phoebe, 122. 
 Piculets, 176. 
 Pigeons, 135. 
 Pipits, 123. 
 Plant-cutters, 112. 
 Plovers, 154. 
 Ptarmigans, 44. 
 Puff-birds, 139. 
 Puffin, 4. 
 
 QUAILS, 42. 
 
 euay-bird, 169. 
 uezal, 170. 
 
 RAILS, 140. 
 Raven, 103. 
 Red-birds, 117. 
 Redstarts, 96, 117. 
 Regent-bird, 100. 
 Rheas, 143. 
 Rice-bird, 121. 
 Road-runner, 22. 
 Robins, 117, 121, 97* 
 
 Rock-hopper, 132. 
 Rollers, 144. 
 Rook, 104. 
 Ruff, 155. 
 
 SAGE-COCK, 45. 
 Sand-grouse, 146. 
 Sandpipers, 155. 
 Satin-bird, 99. 
 Screamers, 147. 
 Scrub-birds, 112. 
 Secretary-bird, 149. 
 Seed-snipes, 150. 
 Shags, 15. 
 Shearwaters, 134. 
 Sheathbills, 151. 
 Sheldrakes, 33. 
 Shrikes, 113. 
 Skimmers, 53. 
 Skuas, 53. 
 Snake-birds, 14. 
 Snipes, 155. 
 Solitaire, 138. 
 Sparrows, 106. 
 Spoonbills, 67. 
 Starlings, 113. 
 Stilts, 155. 
 Stone-Curlew, 162. 
 Storks, 156. 
 Sugar-birds, 1 14. 
 Sun-birds, 115. 
 Sun-bitterns, 158. 
 Surf-bird, 154. 
 Swallows, 115. 
 Swallows, Wood, 127. 
 Swans, 32. 
 Swifts, 159. 
 
 TAILOR-BIRD, 124. 
 Tanagers, 116. 
 Tapaculos, 117. 
 Terns, 53. 
 Teru-teru, 154. 
 Thrushes, 117. 
 Tinamous, 162. 
 Tinker, 6. 
 Tits, 119. 
 Todies, 164. 
 Toucans, 165. 
 Touracous, 167. 
 Tragopans, 43. 
 Trogons, 169. 
 Tropic-birds, 171. 
 
I8o INDEX. 
 
 Trumpeters, 172. Wattle-birds, 108. 
 
 Tui, 108. Wattled Pittas, 124. 
 
 Turkey, 41. Waxwings, 124. 
 
 Turkey, Brush-, 80. Weavers, 125. 
 
 Turkey, Plains, 9. Wekas, 142. 
 
 Turkey-Buzzard, 2. Wheatear, 117. 
 
 Turnstone, 154. Whip-poor-Will, 83* 
 
 Tyrants, 121. White-eyes, 98. 
 
 White-necked Stork, 173. 
 
 UMB EELLA -B IRDS , , M . 
 
 Woodhewers, 126. 
 VULTURES, i, 26. Wood-Ibis, 157. 
 
 Woodpeckers, 174. 
 
 WAGTAILS, 122. Wood-Swallows, 127. 
 
 Warblers, 123. Wrens, 128. 
 
 Water-hens, 142, Wrynecks, 176. 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ( UNIVERSITY ) 
 
 OF 
 
 Printed at 7 he Chapel River Pi- ess, Kingston, Surrey. 
 
14 DAY USE 
 
 1 89249 
 
 a