GOLDEN PHEASANT.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.GOLDEN PHEASANT.This bird is often kept in aviaries, on account of its magnificent livery.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.GOLDEN PHEASANT.This bird is often kept in aviaries, on account of its magnificent livery.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
GOLDEN PHEASANT.
This bird is often kept in aviaries, on account of its magnificent livery.
GOLDEN PHEASANT.Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S., Regent's Park.GOLDEN PHEASANT.This bird is moulting. In full dress the cape seen in the upper figure is golden with blue-black bars.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S., Regent's Park.GOLDEN PHEASANT.This bird is moulting. In full dress the cape seen in the upper figure is golden with blue-black bars.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S., Regent's Park.
GOLDEN PHEASANT.
This bird is moulting. In full dress the cape seen in the upper figure is golden with blue-black bars.
The prairie-hens of America possess great economic value, as great, indeed, as the red grouse of the British Islands, enormous numbers of prairie-hens being exported to Europe every year, whilst still greater numbers are consumed by the American people themselves. It is said that American grouse will sometimes eat the shoots of a plant calledkalmia, which renders the flesh poisonous.
TheSage-grouseis a rather large bird, attaining a weight of 8 lbs., found in the Western United States; it is, indeed, the largest of the American grouse. Its courting habits resemble those of the prairie-hens. From the book containing the above lively description we cull the following:—
SILVER PHEASANT.Photo by W. P. Dando F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.SILVER PHEASANT.A silver pheasant is embroidered as a badge on mandarins' dresses.
Photo by W. P. Dando F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.SILVER PHEASANT.A silver pheasant is embroidered as a badge on mandarins' dresses.
Photo by W. P. Dando F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.
SILVER PHEASANT.
A silver pheasant is embroidered as a badge on mandarins' dresses.
ENGLISH PHEASANTS.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.ENGLISH PHEASANTS.These birds are of the ring-necked variety.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.ENGLISH PHEASANTS.These birds are of the ring-necked variety.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
ENGLISH PHEASANTS.
These birds are of the ring-necked variety.
REEVES'S PHEASANT.Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.REEVES'S PHEASANT.This is a native of North and West China, and has been introduced into Britain.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.REEVES'S PHEASANT.This is a native of North and West China, and has been introduced into Britain.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.
REEVES'S PHEASANT.
This is a native of North and West China, and has been introduced into Britain.
GOLDEN PHEASANT.Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.GOLDEN PHEASANT.The female is soberly clad, and has no crest or cape.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.GOLDEN PHEASANT.The female is soberly clad, and has no crest or cape.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.
GOLDEN PHEASANT.
The female is soberly clad, and has no crest or cape.
AMHERST'S PHEASANT.Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.AMHERST'S PHEASANT.This bird is moulting: in full dress the cape is white and the crest blood-red.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.AMHERST'S PHEASANT.This bird is moulting: in full dress the cape is white and the crest blood-red.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.
AMHERST'S PHEASANT.
This bird is moulting: in full dress the cape is white and the crest blood-red.
PEACOCK-PHEASANT.Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.PEACOCK-PHEASANT.These pheasants take their name from the eye-like spots on the wings.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.PEACOCK-PHEASANT.These pheasants take their name from the eye-like spots on the wings.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.
PEACOCK-PHEASANT.
These pheasants take their name from the eye-like spots on the wings.
"Early one morning in the first week in March, 1877, I had the long-wished-for opportunity to observe the actions of a single cock while paying court to several females near him.... His large, pale yellow air-sacs were fully inflated, and not only extended forward but apparently upward as well, rising at least an inch above his head, which consequently was scarcely noticeable, giving the bird an exceedingly peculiar appearance. He looked decidedly top-heavy and ready to topple over on the slightest provocation." He then proceeds to describe the further preparations designed for conquest. The tail is spread fan-wise, and animated with a peculiar quivering motion, whilst the wings are trailed upon the ground. When the correct position has been assumed, he advances with stately, hesitating steps towards his mate, uttering, as he moves, "low, grunting, guttural sounds" resembling those of a purring cat, but louder. This, apparently, is the prescribed method of courting; of many suitors, he is selected who performs best.
TEMMINCK'S TRAGOPAN.Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.TEMMINCK'S TRAGOPAN.Tragopans are remarkable for a fleshy horn above each eye, not noticeable save when the bird is excited.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.TEMMINCK'S TRAGOPAN.Tragopans are remarkable for a fleshy horn above each eye, not noticeable save when the bird is excited.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.
TEMMINCK'S TRAGOPAN.
Tragopans are remarkable for a fleshy horn above each eye, not noticeable save when the bird is excited.
TheRuffed Grouse, like the prairie-hen, has the neck, in the male, ornamented with a frill of long feathers. Like many other birds, the female, when danger, in the shape of prowling beasts, threatens her eggs or young, simulates lameness. So soon as the enemy approaches near enough to be dangerous, up she gets with a great noise of wings, and then flutters along the ground as though wounded. The would-be captor is thus led far from the jealously guarded treasures, and when a safe distance has been covered an end is speedily put to this will-o'-the-wisp chase by the bird suddenly taking wing.
Partridges, Quails, and Pheasants.
The birds which come under this head are so many in number they may be reckoned by the hundred, and include several forms of exquisite beauty. The legs of many are armed with formidable spurs, with which the males, who are exceedingly pugnacious, fight furiously with their rivals for the possession of some coveted female.
CHINESE TRAGOPAN.Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.CHINESE TRAGOPAN.The scarlet plumage of some of the Tragopans is most gorgeous.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.CHINESE TRAGOPAN.The scarlet plumage of some of the Tragopans is most gorgeous.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.
CHINESE TRAGOPAN.
The scarlet plumage of some of the Tragopans is most gorgeous.
Of the more conspicuous forms we may mention theRed-leggedandCommon Partridges. In England the former is known more generally as theFrench Partridge—why, it is hard to say. It is a native of South-eastern Europe, whence it was introduced towards the end of the eighteenth century. It is a handsome bird, but not in high favour with sportsmen, since it prefers to escape by running rather than by flight.
TheCommon Partridgeis the more abundant of the two species. Though more sober in coloration, it is still a beautiful bird. The "horse-shoe" mark, borne on the breast, so characteristic of this bird, isnotconfined to the males, as is generally believed. "Yielding," says Professor Newton, "perhaps in economic importance to the red grouse, what may be called the social influence of the partridge is greater than that excited by any other wild bird."
HIMALAYAN MONAL.Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.HIMALAYAN MONAL.In some parts of India this bird has been exterminated, owing to the demands of the plume-market.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.HIMALAYAN MONAL.In some parts of India this bird has been exterminated, owing to the demands of the plume-market.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.
HIMALAYAN MONAL.
In some parts of India this bird has been exterminated, owing to the demands of the plume-market.
This bird displays great courage and affection in defence of its eggs or young. A story illustrating this is told of a gentleman near Spilsby, in Lincolnshire, who, "whilst superintending his ploughmen, saw a partridge glide off her nest, so near the foot of one of his plough-horses that he thought the eggs must be crushed; this, however, was not the case.... He saw the old bird return to her nest the instant he left the spot. It was evident that the next round of the plough must bury the eggs and nest in the furrow. His surprise was great when, returning with the plough, he came to the spot and saw the nest indeed, but the eggs and bird were gone. An idea struck him that she had removed her eggs; and he found her, before he left the field, sitting under the hedge upon twenty-one eggs.... The round of ploughing had occupied about twenty minutes, in which time she, probably aided by the cock bird, had removed the twenty-one eggs to a distance of about forty yards."
TheRed-legged Partridges, their allies theFrancolins, and theGrey Partridgesare all ground-birds; theTree-partridges, as the name implies, are not, or at least less completely so—hence their mention here. They are natives of the Indo-Chinese countries, and the islands of Java, Borneo, and Formosa.
HIMALAYAN MONAL.Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.HIMALAYAN MONAL.The female of the monal is quite soberly clad.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.HIMALAYAN MONAL.The female of the monal is quite soberly clad.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.
HIMALAYAN MONAL.
The female of the monal is quite soberly clad.
TheQuailis a little-known British bird, very like a small partridge in appearance. Enormous numbers, Professor Newton tells us, "are netted on the Continent, especially in the spring migration. The captives are exposed in the poulterers' shops, confined in long, cloth-covered cages, with a feeding-trough in front." The bulk "of these are males, which are the first to arrive, and advantage is taken of this circumstance by the bird-catchers, who decoy hundreds into their nets by imitating the call-note of the female. It has been stated that in the small island of Capri, in the Bay of Naples, 160,000 have been netted in a single season, and even larger numbers are on record." An idea of the vast numbers which travel together inmigration may be gathered from Canon Tristram's statement that in Algeria, in April, he found the ground covered with quails for an extent of many acres at daybreak, where on the preceding afternoon not one was to be seen. These are the birds which were so eagerly seized by the Israelites as a welcome change in the diet which had become so monotonous in the days of their early wanderings. The story, so vividly told in the Book of Exodus, is, of course, familiar to all.
RED COCHINS.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.RED COCHINS.The wings in the typical Cochins are so short as to be useless.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.RED COCHINS.The wings in the typical Cochins are so short as to be useless.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
RED COCHINS.
The wings in the typical Cochins are so short as to be useless.
The quail lays from nine to fifteen eggs in a feeble apology for a nest. It is said that the curious metallic note "clic-lic-lic" gave origin to the Spanish castanet, for these birds are much esteemed in Spain, being kept in cages for the pleasure their notes afford.
There are five or six other species of quail closely related to the above. The British bird enjoys an enormous range, being found almost everywhere in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The so-calledAmerican Quails—some forty species in number—are generally regarded as belonging to a distinct group.
That ornament to all rural scenery, thePheasant, is said to have been introduced from the banks of the river Phasis, in Colchis, Transcaucasia, by the Romans—at least, the original form of pheasant was. Late during the eighteenth century a Japanese and a Chinese form were introduced, and these have freely interbred with the original form, so that pure-bred specimens of any of the three are rare.
The speed of a pheasant on the wing in full flight has been estimated at thirty-eight miles an hour. Occasionally pheasants will take to the water, and are said to swim well.
The number of pheasants reared by hand at the present day is prodigious. In 1883, Professor Newton tells us, 134,000 pheasants' eggs were sold from one estate in Norfolk, while 9,700 fully grown birds were killed upon it. In olden times pheasants were taken in snares or nets, by hawking, and by the cross-bow; but on the introduction of guns these methods were superseded.
Yet another form of pheasant has been introduced into Britain of late years. This isReeves's Pheasant, a truly magnificent bird, with a tail fully 5 feet long in adult males. These birds also interbreed with the more common forms, but not freely.
BROWN LEGHORN COCK.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.BROWN LEGHORN COCK.This breed has been derived by crossing White Leghorns with Game-fowl.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.BROWN LEGHORN COCK.This breed has been derived by crossing White Leghorns with Game-fowl.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
BROWN LEGHORN COCK.
This breed has been derived by crossing White Leghorns with Game-fowl.
Beautiful as these pheasants undoubtedly are, they are eclipsed by many of their relatives. Among the most noteworthy of these we may notice the magnificentTragopans. Rich in coloration of the feathers, these birds have added an additional feature in brilliantly coloured areas of bare skin on the head and neck, which are furthermore rendered conspicuous by being developed with "horns" and wattles. These "horns" can be erected at will, a process which causes them at the same time to be greatly increased in size. The bird, with a proud consciousness of his beauty, displays his charms to the full when wooing. Mr Bartlett tells us that, "after walking about rather excitedly, he places himself in front of the female, with the body slightly crouching upon the legs, and the tail bent downwards; the head is then violently jerked downwards, and the horns and wattle become conspicuous. The wings have a flapping motion, and the bright red patch on them is fully displayed. The whole of the neck appears to be larger than usual during this action, so do the horns, which, moreover, vibrate with every motion. This scene is concluded by the bird suddenly drawing himself up to his full height, with his wings expanded and quivering, the horns erect, and the wattles fully displayed."
SILVER-SPANGLED HAMBURGS.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.SILVER-SPANGLED HAMBURGS.This bird apparently originated in England.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.SILVER-SPANGLED HAMBURGS.This bird apparently originated in England.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
SILVER-SPANGLED HAMBURGS.
This bird apparently originated in England.
DARK BRAMAS.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.DARK BRAMAS.The Brama is an Asiatic breed.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.DARK BRAMAS.The Brama is an Asiatic breed.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
DARK BRAMAS.
The Brama is an Asiatic breed.
SILVER WYANDOTTE HEN WITH PHEASANT CHICKS.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.SILVER WYANDOTTE HEN WITH PHEASANT CHICKS.This is an American breed, derived by crossing with the Brama.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.SILVER WYANDOTTE HEN WITH PHEASANT CHICKS.This is an American breed, derived by crossing with the Brama.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
SILVER WYANDOTTE HEN WITH PHEASANT CHICKS.
This is an American breed, derived by crossing with the Brama.
Equally splendid, some think more so, are the four species of pheasant known asMonalsorImpeyan Pheasants. The plumage in this case looks like burnished metal rather than feathers. The head is adorned with a crest either of long or beautifully curled feathers. Monals are found in the same haunts as the tragopans—the highest forest regions of the Himalaya.
But the most gorgeous of all the Pheasant Tribe are perhaps theGolden Pheasants. The crimson body and exquisitely beautiful collar of gold barred with black constitute a perfectly royal livery. Since, however, these are amongst the commonest occupants of the aviary, we need not describe them further here. They are natives of China and Tibet.
Jungle-fowl and their Domesticated Descendants.
These birds, of which there are four distinct species, are close allies of the domesticated fowls: the descent of these latter, indeed, is traced from the red jungle-fowl of the Himalaya and Central India. The characteristic features of the group are the naked head, bearing the familiar wattles and fleshy comb, and the formidable spurs on the legs.
The varieties of the domesticated jungle-fowl are numerous. The pugnacity of themembers known as theGame-breedis well known, and in the days of cock-fighting large sums of money changed hands over the fierce battles waged by rival game-cocks pitted one against the other—the game-cock, it should be remarked, being the little-modified descendant of the red jungle-cock.
PEACOCK.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.PEACOCK.Note the perfectly symmetrical distribution of the "eyes" in the "train."
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.PEACOCK.Note the perfectly symmetrical distribution of the "eyes" in the "train."
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
PEACOCK.
Note the perfectly symmetrical distribution of the "eyes" in the "train."
The modern game-cock is purely a show-bird, breeders having changed the type by selecting characters which would render the bird quite unable to hold its own if matched in battle with one of the original breed.
Very different from the wild ancestor is the huge, much-featheredCochin. This was introduced into England, not from Cochin-China, as is popularly supposed, but from Shanghai, some fifty years ago. At that time this bird enjoyed the reputation of being wonderfully prolific. This is, alas! no longer a feature of the breed. The show-pen is apparently responsible for this, attention having been paid rather to external appearance than to useful qualities.
BACK VIEW OF PEACOCK.Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S.][North Finchley.BACK VIEW OF PEACOCK.Note the true tail, like a stout fan, supporting the train.
Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S.][North Finchley.BACK VIEW OF PEACOCK.Note the true tail, like a stout fan, supporting the train.
Photo by L. Medland, F.Z.S.][North Finchley.
BACK VIEW OF PEACOCK.
Note the true tail, like a stout fan, supporting the train.
ThePlymouth RockandDorkingare both well-known breeds. The former is of American origin, made by crossing Cochins with a native breed—the Dominique.
TheBlack Spanish,Minorcas,Leghorns,Andalusians, etc., constitute what are known as the Mediterranean breeds. They are noted for their great prolificacy. This has been gained by carefully breeding from the most productive birds, but with the result that the instinct to sit has been lost entirely. This is a matter of no consequence, however, as when chicks are required there are plenty of "broody" hens of other breeds which can be made to undertake the duties of foster-mother.
TheHamburgsare of two kinds—theSpangled, which is of English, and thePencilled, of Continental origin.
BLACK-CHESTED CRESTED GUINEA-FOWL.Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.BLACK-CHESTED CRESTED GUINEA-FOWL.At Durban these birds are often hawked by Kaffir hunters, the flesh being very delicate and much esteemed.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.BLACK-CHESTED CRESTED GUINEA-FOWL.At Durban these birds are often hawked by Kaffir hunters, the flesh being very delicate and much esteemed.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.
BLACK-CHESTED CRESTED GUINEA-FOWL.
At Durban these birds are often hawked by Kaffir hunters, the flesh being very delicate and much esteemed.
A very old breed is thePolish. It figures often in the pictures of the old Dutch masters. One of its chief characteristics is the huge crest of feathers rising from the crown of the head. The development of this crest has had a very extraordinary effect upon the conformation of the bones of the skull, entirely altering the shape of the brain-case.
Perhaps the most artificial of all breeds of fowl are theSebright Bantams. These are diminutive birds, the result of a cross between the Polish with "laced" feathers and a bantam. The feathers of this cross are beautifully "laced"—that is, they are white, edged with black. Another interesting diminutive breed is theJapanese Bantam. The cock carries its tail, which is long, remarkably high, giving a very quaint effect. This breed is further interesting, since it furnishes us with an instance of the breeder's power of localising colour by selection. The tail is black and the body white. Yet another interesting Japanese fowl is the remarkable long-tailed breed in which the tail-coverts grow continuously, attaining a length of from 9 feet to, it is said, 18 feet. The birds are kept for show purposes. The greater part of their lives is passed tethered on high perches. Once a day they are taken down for exercise, when the long feathers are carefully rolled up and securely fastened out of harm's way.
BLACK-CHESTED CRESTED GUINEA-FOWL.Photo byW. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.BLACK-CHESTED CRESTED GUINEA-FOWL.This is a black bird, with light blue spots.
Photo byW. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.BLACK-CHESTED CRESTED GUINEA-FOWL.This is a black bird, with light blue spots.
Photo byW. P. Dando, F.Z.S.][Regent's Park.
BLACK-CHESTED CRESTED GUINEA-FOWL.
This is a black bird, with light blue spots.
The Argus-pheasant and Peacock and their Allies.
TheArgus-pheasantmost certainly demands notice, on account of the extraordinary development of the wing-quills, which are nearly a yard long, and the wondrous beauty of the pattern thereon. This pattern takes the form of a number of eyes, so shaded as to give the appearance, when fully displayed, of a number of balls lying in a socket. These enormous quills are borne only by the male, and used, like the ornamental feathers of its allies, in captivating the female. When fully displayed, the two wings are spread out to form one huge fan, producing an effect which words cannot adequately describe. The argus-pheasants are found in the forests of Siam, the Malay Peninsula, and Sumatra, and are excessively wary birds.
ThePeacockis too well known to need a very long description. But a word as to the so-called "tail." This magnificent wealthof plumes does not represent the tail, as is popularly supposed, but is made up of the feathers of the lower part of the back and the upper tail-coverts. These gradually increase in length from before-backwards, culminating in the long and exquisite feathers which form the circumference of the huge, outspread shield. This shield is properly called the "train"; the true tail lies behind it and acts as a support. When the bird is about to display, the "train" feathers are slowly and gently raised till the well-known fan-shaped glory of green and gold and blue is exposed to the fullest possible extent.
NEST OF BRUSH-TURKEY AT WOBURN ABBEY.Photo by the Duchess of Bedford.NEST OF BRUSH-TURKEY AT WOBURN ABBEY.This is made by several birds, of decaying vegetable matter, in which the eggs are laid and left to hatch.
Photo by the Duchess of Bedford.NEST OF BRUSH-TURKEY AT WOBURN ABBEY.This is made by several birds, of decaying vegetable matter, in which the eggs are laid and left to hatch.
Photo by the Duchess of Bedford.
NEST OF BRUSH-TURKEY AT WOBURN ABBEY.
This is made by several birds, of decaying vegetable matter, in which the eggs are laid and left to hatch.
TURKEY COCK AND HEN.Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.TURKEY COCK AND HEN.The curious "tassel" depending from the breast is found in no other bird.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.TURKEY COCK AND HEN.The curious "tassel" depending from the breast is found in no other bird.
Photo by C. Reid][Wishaw, N.B.
TURKEY COCK AND HEN.
The curious "tassel" depending from the breast is found in no other bird.
"Watch the bird trying to do his best to persuade his chosen what a handsome fellow he is. He first places himself more or less in front of her, but at some little distance off; and then, watching his opportunity, walks rapidly backwards, going faster and faster and faster, till, arrived within a foot, he suddenly, like a flash, turns round and displays to the full his truly gorgeous vestments. This turning movement is accompanied by a violent shaking of the train, the quills of which rattle like the pattering of rain upon leaves. Often this movement is followed by a loud scream.
"When the train is fully erect, it will be noticed that it lies so far forward that the bird's head and neck appear as if rising from its base. In a side view the whole body, from the front of the wings backwards, appears to lie behind the train."
This bird is a native of India, where it is held in great reverence by the Hindus, andin the Hindu States it is not allowed to be killed under any circumstances. There are two, some say three, distinct species of peacock, but they all closely resemble one another.
WALLACE'S PAINTED MEGAPODE.Photo by Kerry & Co.][Sydney.WALLACE'S PAINTED MEGAPODE.This bird buries its eggs in the sand, burrowing for each a slanting hole from 3 to 4 feet deep.
Photo by Kerry & Co.][Sydney.WALLACE'S PAINTED MEGAPODE.This bird buries its eggs in the sand, burrowing for each a slanting hole from 3 to 4 feet deep.
Photo by Kerry & Co.][Sydney.
WALLACE'S PAINTED MEGAPODE.
This bird buries its eggs in the sand, burrowing for each a slanting hole from 3 to 4 feet deep.
Brief mention will serve for theGuinea-fowlsandTurkeys, since they are well known to us all.Guinea-fowlsare African birds. The farmyard form, popularly known as "Come-backs," from their peculiar cry "come-back, come-back, come-back," is a descendant of the common helmeted form, of which type there are eight distinct species. Besides these are four crested species; one very beautiful species known as theVulture-like Guinea-fowl; and one, the rarest of all, known as theBlack Guinea-fowl. Even in the British Museum, writes Mr. Ogilvie Grant, "there are only two examples of it, and neither of these are perfect specimens." It was discovered by M. Du Chaillu. "One day," he says, "I went out hunting by myself, and, to my great joy, shot another new bird, a black wild-fowl, one of the most singular birds I have seen in Africa.... The head, where it is bare, is in the female of a pink hue, and in the male of a bright scarlet.... Wild they are, and most difficult to approach, and rare, even in the forests where they are at home." They do not travel in huge flocks, like other guinea-fowls, but a male and two females at most.
The familiar form of theTurkeyscarcely needs description; but most people are probably puzzled by its name. Why Turkey? The bird is a native of America, so it certainly cannot have anything to do with its place of origin. Professor Newton has it that it is on account of its call-note, "to be syllabled 'turk, turk, turk,' whereby it may almost be said to have named itself."
The domesticated turkey is descended from theMexican Turkey, and was probably introduced into Europe during the sixteenth century. This, according to Captain Bendire, is a mountain-living species, and still abundant in the wilder portions of Western Texas and New Mexico. It appears to attain greater bulk than its domesticated descendant, Captain Bendire having recorded a specimen shot by himself which weighed 28 lbs. after having been drawn, and heavier birds are said to occur occasionally.
The Mexicans say that the coyotes catch turkeys by running in circles under the tree in which they are roosting, till the birds get dizzy with watching them, and fall down into the open mouths below!
There are three distinct kinds of turkey—theMexican,American, andHonduras Turkey. The last is a very fine bird, with a bright blue head and neck, instead of red. The top of the head is adorned with numerous scarlet, berry-like warts, looking like holly-berries.
TheBob-whites, which belong to the group of tooth-billed game-birds known as American Partridges and Quails, demand a brief reference here. The species represented in the illustration on page399is common in the lowlands of Texas. It is a very unsuspicious bird, and in consequence falls an easy prey to foxes, hariers, and rattlesnakes, the last-named being the worst enemies, as many as five of these unfortunate birds having been taken at one time from the stomach of one of these monsters, and on another occasion a female and half a dozen of her eggs were similarly discovered.
TheMegapodesandBrush-turkeys, though dull and uninteresting-looking birds, are, on account of the facts connected with the propagation of their species, quite remarkable. They do not brood over their eggs, as do other birds, but instead bury them, either in sand in the neighbourhood of warm springs or in heaps of decaying vegetable matter. In the latter case the material is often collected by several birds working together. Mounds of 8 feet high and 60 feet in circumference have been found, the work of theNicobar Megapode. Such have been many years in use, material being added each season. Into this mass the female digs down and deposits an egg every second day, covering it up as soon as laid. There it remains till hatched, when the young, probably aided by its mother, forces its way up to the surface, and emerges,nota downy nestling as one would expect, but clothed with feathers differing but slightly in texture from those worn in the adult state. Owing to the precocious development, young megapodes are able to fly within an hour after birth.
RAZOR-BILLED CURASSOW.Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.RAZOR-BILLED CURASSOW.So called from the sharp ridge along the top of the beak.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.RAZOR-BILLED CURASSOW.So called from the sharp ridge along the top of the beak.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.
RAZOR-BILLED CURASSOW.
So called from the sharp ridge along the top of the beak.
There are many different kinds of megapodes occurring in Australia, Samoa, and the Nicobar and Philippine Islands.
CRESTED CURASSOW.Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.CRESTED CURASSOW.So called from its crest of curled feathers.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.CRESTED CURASSOW.So called from its crest of curled feathers.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.
CRESTED CURASSOW.
So called from its crest of curled feathers.
TheCurassowsandGuansare very handsome birds, but probably quite unknown to most of our readers, yet they may always be seen in Zoological Gardens. They are closely related to the megapodes, which we have just been discussing; but their nesting habits are quite different. They lay their eggs in nests, either on the ground or in trees, and brood over them like other birds. Many have brilliantly coloured bare skin on the head and handsome crests. They are natives of Central and South America, where they are often kept by the settlers, as they tame easily. It is said that one of the guans, when crossed with the domesticated fowl, becomes intensely pugnacious, and superior to the game-cock for fighting purposes.
Bustard-quail and Plain-wanderers.
These are small and quail-like in appearance, though they are probably only distant relatives of the Game-birds. But they are, nevertheless, remarkable birds. A great authority, Mr. A. O. Hume, writing of theIndian Bustard-quail, says of them: "The most remarkable point in the life-history of these bustard-quails is the extraordinary fashion in which, amongst them, the position of the sexes is reversed. The females are the larger and handsomer birds. The females only call, the females only fight—natives say that they fight for the males, and probably this is true. The males ... only ... sit upon the eggs, the females meanwhile larking about, calling, and fighting, without any care for their obedient mates; and, lastly, the males tend ... the young brood."
The group has a wide geographical range, occurring in Europe, Africa, Madagascar, South Asia, the Indian Archipelago, and Australia.
The Hoatzin.
This bird is one of the puzzles of the ornithologist. Its pedigree is still a mystery, but it is generally believed to have some relation to the Game-birds. Its whole life is passed in trees overhanging water, and its flight restricted to short journeys from tree to tree. In South America, its home, it is known by a variety of names, one of which meansStinking-pheasant. This is in allusion to the peculiar odour of its flesh, which smells, according to some, like musk, and to others like raw hides. Another remarkable feature of this bird is the fact that it has turned its crop into a sort of gizzard, whilst the true gizzard, having been relieved of its functions, has diminished to the size of a hazel-nut. The unusual purpose to which the crop has been put has brought about considerable modification in the form of the breast-bone, which is quite different to that of any other bird.
HOATZIN.Photo by J. W. McLellan][Highbury.HOATZIN.This is a native of the Amazons Valley, and lives entirely in the trees.
Photo by J. W. McLellan][Highbury.HOATZIN.This is a native of the Amazons Valley, and lives entirely in the trees.
Photo by J. W. McLellan][Highbury.
HOATZIN.
This is a native of the Amazons Valley, and lives entirely in the trees.
The young of these birds are quite as remarkable as the parents, for almost as soon as they are hatched they crawl out of the nest, along the boughs of the tree in which it rests, to meet the parents coming with food. In these crawling excursions they are aided by the wings, which for a time serve as fore feet. The thumb and first finger are armed with strong claws, with which a firm hold is gained on the bark of the tree. To render these claws effective so long as they are necessary, the quill-feathers of the tip of the wing have their development checked till the others have grown long enough to serve the purposes of flight.
The Rails.
TheRailsare all water-loving birds, dwelling in swamps or on the borders of lakes and streams. Although all swim easily, none have webbed feet. The flight is weak; several species, indeed, have lost this power altogether. The body is much compressed, enabling them to pass readily through the narrow interspaces of dense aquatic foliage. The Rails appear to be related on the one hand to the Game-birds, and on the other to the Cranes. In size they vary from a bird as large as a fowl to one as small as a lark.
One of the commonest of the Rails is theCorn-crake, more commonly, perhaps, known as theLand-rail. Its curious grating cry is one of the commonest sounds which the summer brings with it, and one possessing a charm of its own. But rarely seen, it builds its nest in hay-fields, and, when the grass is being cut, sits so closely on its treasures that it is sometimes beheaded by the swinging scythe. In the autumn it falls not infrequently to the sportsmen when partridge-shooting. The corn-crake leaves in the winter for the more congenial climate of Africa, a feat that seems wonderful when its feeble powers of flight are considered. Its near relative theWater-railis rather a handsome bird, but of shy and retiring habits.
TheWeka-rail, a native of New Zealand, is one of the flightless forms to which wehave referred. It is about as large as a pheasant, but lacks its splendour, being soberly clad in brown and black. Unlike its relative, it breeds in a burrow, which it digs for itself by the aid of its bill. The name "weka" was given it by the Maoris.
WEKA-RAIL.Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.WEKA-RAIL.The wings, though fairly large, are useless for flight.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.WEKA-RAIL.The wings, though fairly large, are useless for flight.
Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.][Parson's Green.
WEKA-RAIL.
The wings, though fairly large, are useless for flight.
WATER-RAIL.Photo by W. F. Piggott][Leighton Buzzard.WATER-RAIL.This is a common British bird, seldom seen, on account of its retiring habits.
Photo by W. F. Piggott][Leighton Buzzard.WATER-RAIL.This is a common British bird, seldom seen, on account of its retiring habits.
Photo by W. F. Piggott][Leighton Buzzard.
WATER-RAIL.
This is a common British bird, seldom seen, on account of its retiring habits.
TheCommon Water-hen, orMoor-hen, is one of the most familiar birds of the London parks. Although frequent enough to be seen upon streams and broads, it is, nevertheless, shy and wary; but in the sanctuary of the public parks all reserve is thrown off. The water-hen, like its allies, is an expert swimmer, in spite of the fact that the toes are not webbed; on the contrary, they are very long and slender. When alarmed, these birds will often submerge the body till only the beak projects above water.
All the members of this group are easily recognised by the bare patch of skin extending from the beak on to the top of the head. In theCootsthis is white; in theWater-hensandGallinulesit is red. The coots and water-hens are clad in sober colours, grey or black; but the gallinules are gorgeously clad in purple, shaded with dark green, olive-brown, and black.Mantell's Gallinuleof New Zealand is probably now extinct, the last bird having been killed in 1898.
The Fin-feet.
These are little-known birds, found in Africa, South America, South-east Asia, and Sumatra. They are closely related to the coots, but differ therefrom in many important particulars. Like the coots, they are river-haunting birds, and have broad flaps of skin fringing the toes, which serve the purpose of a web; but they have much longer necks and tails than the coots and water-hens. Not much is known about them.
PIGEONS AND SAND-GROUSE.
Pigeons, as a rule, are birds of wonderful powers of flight. The young, which never exceed two in number, are hatched perfectly blind and helpless, and but sparsely clothed. They are nourished by a peculiar milky secretion of the parents' crop known as "pigeons' milk." The operation of feeding is performed by the parent thrusting its beak into the mouth of its offspring and ejecting therein the secretion just referred to. The nest is a very simple structure, being composed of twigs, generally placed in a tree, but sometimes in a cave or hole in a bank. The eggs, which never exceed two in number, are pure white.
Perhaps the most beautiful species occur among the large group known asFruit-pigeons. Many of these are invested in raiment of vivid green and yellow, forming a little coterie by themselves—theGreen Pigeons. Others, on account of their brilliancy, have been designatedPainted Pigeons, of which, perhaps, the most beautiful of all isEugène's Pigeon. Try to imagine it! The head is pure white, the upper part of the breast a purple-red surrounded by a dull purple band; the under parts are greyish green, shading into white; the flanks green; whilst the upper parts are also green, but of a rich bronze tint. Another group from the Fiji Islands includes a magnificent species, the male of which is clothed in a glorious orange, save the head and throat, which are olive-yellow. His mate is scarcely less beautiful, her plumage being rich green. Another member of the group—theWhite Nutmeg-pigeon—is clad in creamy white, with black quills, and a black tip to the tail. It is a native of Borneo. The fruit-pigeons, it should be mentioned, include some of the largest of living pigeons.