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The restless BLACK-SKIMMER (8) swept often along ; And the BARBET (9) was heard with his turtle-dove song.

breast and belly dusky-white. It inhabits India, and particularly the Island of Ceylon; it constructs a very curious nest by sewing the edges of one or more leaves together, so as to form a conical repository for its eggs and young; the eggs are white, not much larger than what are called ants' eggs. For further particulars concerning this bird's nest, see the Introduction.

(8) ORDER, ANSER ES, (Linn.) SKIMMER.

The genus RHYNCHOPS, (Linn.) or SKIMMER, consists of one species only,

The Nigra, BLACK-SKIMMER, Breaker, Cutter, or Skippog. The bill is straight, the upper mandible much shorter than the under; size of the black guillemot; length eighteen inches; breadth three feet; tail forked; body blackish, beneath white; front and chin white; wings with a transverse white band; legs red. Another variety tawny. This bird is perpetually flying about and skimming over the water, out of which it scoops small fish with its lower mandible. Inhabits all South America, and the southern parts of North America, and also the East Indies. Nest a mere hollow in the sand; eggs three, white, with large round blackish spots, others like pale Indian pink. They lay near to each other, in societies of from 15 to 20 pairs; half a bushel of eggs have been collected in New Jersey within the compass of half an acre; they have a fishy taste, but are nevertheless eaten. Voice harsh and screaming. This bird is migratory in New Jersey.

(9) ORDER, PICÆ, (Linn.) BARBET, the BEAUTIFUL, the YELLOW-CHEEKED, &c.

The genus Bucco, (Linn.) or Barbet, comprehends twentynine species, chiefly inhabitants of Guiana, and found almost universally in warm climates. The bill is strong, straightish

There too was seen, hovering over the shore,

The IBIS (10) that Egypt once pleas'd to adore;
The CURLEW in SCARLET with richest tints glow'd,
And the CANVASS-BACK-DUCK on the waters proud
rode :

nearly covered with bristles; it is a very stupid genus. The following are all I can notice:

The Zeylonicus, or YELLOW-CHEEKED-BARRET, is five and a half inches long; sits on trees, and murmurs or coos like a turtle-dove, but louder. Inhabits Ceylon.

The Elegans, or BEAUTIFUL-BARBET, is green, head and chin red, edged with blue; quill feathers brown; throat and breast yellow, the latter spotted with red; belly yellow, spotted with green; size of a sparrow. Inhabits the shores of the Amazon. The Tamatia, or SPOTTED-BELLIED BARBET, is above tawny brown, beneath tawny white, spotted with black; six and a half inches long. Inhabits Cayenne and Brazil. Flesh insipid.

The Philippensis, a native of Java, has its notes conveyed by the word Ingku. HORSFIELD.

(10) ORDER, GRALLÆ, (Linn.) IBIS, the EGYPTIAN, the WOOD, the SCARLET, the GLOSSY, &c.

The genus TANTALUS, (Linn.) or IBIS, consists of more than thirty species scattered over the warmer climates of the globe. The bill is long, subulate, rounded, and subarched; face naked; tongue short, broad; jugular pouch naked; feet four-toed, palmate at the base. The following are the chief:

The Ibis, or EGYPTIAN-IBIS, has the face red, bill pale yellow; quill feathers black; body whitish-rufous. From thirty to forty inches long. Inhabits, in vast numbers, the lower parts of Egypt. This bird, so faithful in its native country, was made the emblem of it. Its figure, which is wrought on all the ancient Egyptian monuments, represents Egypt, where divine honours

The EGRET, the GREAT, and the LITTLE, milk white,
Their pinions display'd 'midst a splendour of light.
'Mongst the EAGLES, the CRESTED a denizen here,
Were many rapacious whose looks begat fear.

were paid to it by the superstitious inhabitants. This bird feeds on locusts, caterpillars, and serpents; and, it is said, even after it is satiated, it still continues occupied in destroying these noxious animals. The intention, therefore, of the Egyptian rulers in rendering this bird sacred, was, doubtless, to preserve and to mutiply so useful an animal. So sacred was it held, that dried skeletons of it have been found preserved as mummies. As a drawback from this statement, it should be also observed, that many other birds, such as storks, kites, and vultures, are hostile to serpents, and the figures on their hieroglyphics do not appear sufficiently defined, so that this kind of bird may be determined with exactness: certain, however, it is, that formerly, in Egypt, the killing of this bird was held as a capital crime.

The Loculator, or WOOD-IBIS, has a bluish face; the bill reddish, nine inches long; the body white; legs, quill, and tailfeathers, black. Two other varieties. Three feet long. Inhabits New Holland, and the warmer parts of America ; slow in flight, and stupid; feeds on fruit, fishes, and reptiles; flesh good.

The Leucocephalus, or WHITE-HEADED-IBIS, has the head, neck, and body, white; bill and face yellow; legs pale fleshcolour; rump with long rosy feathers; the largest of the tribe. Inhabits India.

The Ruber, SCARLET-IBIS, Scarlet-Curlew, or Red-Curlew, is a beautiful bird, found in most parts of America, within the tropics; the whole plumage a rich glowing scarlet, except the extremities of the four outer quill feathers, which are of a deep steel blue; length twenty-three inches; sits on trees, but lays its greenish eggs on the ground. The young birds, when first

The social and singular ANI (") was there,

In whose nest many females obtain oft a share.
The fleet COURIER-PHEASANT ran swiftly along;
With a serpent the CRESTED immers'd in the throng.

hatched, are said to be black, then grey, then whitish, and, lastly, scarlet.

The Igneus, or GLOSSY-IBIS, has the head and neck black; bill and legs green; body varied with glossy-blue, blackishgreen, green and claret; beneath dark rufous; quill and tail feathers green-gold; thirteen inches long; inhabits Russia: was once shot in Cornwall; it has also been seen in Norfolk.

(1) Order, Picæ, (Linn.) ANI, the LESSER, the GREATER, the VARIED, the WALKING.

The genus CROTOPHAGA, or ANI, consists of four species, all natives of South America; they have a compressed semi-oval arched bill, carinate on the back; upper mandible angular at each edge; nostrils pervious. They are as follow:

The Ani, or LESSER-ANI, is blackish violet, feet formed for climbing; thirteen and a half inches long; gregarious, many females laying in the same nest, each taking care of its own brood; eggs sea-green, spotted towards the ends; feeds on fruits, seeds, worms, and insects; picks out the acarus, or tick, from the backs of cattle infested with it, for which purpose it is said they will lie down spontaneously. The Major, or GREATERANI, is also blackish-violet, the feathers edged with green; quill feathers dusky green; feet scansorial like the last; length eighteen inches; docile and easily tamed; inhabits Cayenne. The Varia, or VARIED-ANI, is varied with black and red; feet scansorial; eleven inches long. The Ambulatoria, or WALKINGANI, has the feet ambulatory; except in the structure of the feet, is like the last; inhabits Surinam.

RICE-BUNTINGS, and TURNSTONES ingenious abound; And BEE-EATERS, (12) BEEF-EATERS, (3) some were there found.

(12) Order, Pica, (Linn.) BEE-EATER, the COMMON, the INDIAN.

The genus MEROPS, (Linn.) or BEE-EATER, contists of more than forty species, one only of which, the Apiaster, or COMMONBEE-EATER, is found in this country. The characteristics of this tribe are a curved, quadrangular, compressed, carinate, pointed bill; tongue slender, the tip (generally) jagged; feet gressorial. They are scattered over India, Africa, and the South of Europe.

The Apiaster, or COMMON-BEE-EATER, from which the rest of the species do not essentially differ, derives its name from subsisting chiefly on bees, wasps, and other insects, which, like I the swallow, it catches when on the wing. The head and neck of this bird are chesnut; upper part of the body pale yellow, with reflections of green and chesnut; the lower parts azure, brightening towards the tail; bill black, quadrangular, a little bent and sharp at the point; length ten inches. Digs deep holes in sandy banks, where it lays from five to seven white eggs; gre garious, found not only in England, but many other parts of Europe, as well as in Asia and America. There is another va riety, having a convex instead of a carinate bill, and in which the toes are not connected, as far as the third joint.

The Rufus, or RUFOUS-BEE-EATER, is eight inches and half long; plumage in general rufous, deeper on the upper parts, inclining to yellow beneath; builds a curious nest. See the Intro. duction. Eggs four, white, spotted with rufous. Found at Buenos Ayres, and on the River Plate.

Song trifling.

The Bee-Eater is said to be migratory in this country; but, although occasionally seen here in the summer season, its nest has never, I believe, been discovered. It is said to be plentiful, and to breed in the southern parts of Russia.

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