English: Title: Elements of zoölogy

Identifier: elementsofzology00hold Year: 1884 (1880s) Authors: Holder, Charles Frederick, 1851-1915; Holder, Joseph Bassett, 1824-1888, joint author Subjects: Zoology Publisher: New York : D. Appleton and company Contributing Library: The Library of Congress Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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Text Appearing Before Image: KEEL-BREASTED BIRDS. 28l

Text Appearing After Image: Fig. 310.—King bird of paradise. Other remarkable forms are the resplendent epima- chus, the rifle-bird, and the king bird of paradise (Fig. 310), their gor- geous colorings a/ defying ade- quate descrip- tion. The Plan- tain-Eaters (Musofihagi- dce)* are pecul- iar to the Afri- can continent. They are about the size of the raven, and are exclusively fruit-eaters. The eggs are white, and deposited in hollow trees. The Mouse-Birds (Co/idcs) \ are so singular that they deserve particular mention. They are found exclusively in Africa, and are allies of the preceding. They resemble * M. Jules Verreaux is authority for the statement that the coloring - matter of the red feathers of one of this family (Tura- cus albocristatus) is soluble in water. Their red feathers may be washed white twice in the same day, the color invariably returning when dry. f The wiriwa {Colitis Sencgalensis) is invariably found upon the thickly-vined trees, darting in and out of the holes like a mouse. They have been seen to roost in a most curious manner like bats, clinging or hanging by their feet head downward, or in groups, cling- ing to each other in clumps upon the branches ; the first bird grasping the branch with one claw, supporting a second bird by entwining one of its legs with its own, this bird in a like manner supporting a third, and so on until they form a chain of living bird-links. They are fruit- eaters. The nest is conical and placed in trees, and contains six or seven eggs.

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