. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. 112 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD The CuLiES, or MousE-BlRDS, of South Africa are small, crested, long-tailed, loose-plumaged birds whose exact relationships are somewhat puzzling. The name Mouse-bird is given on account of the habit of creeping along the boughs of trees with the whole foot applied to the branch. The toes are peculiar in that all turn forwards, and are commonl}- so retained. About ten species are known, ranging from Abyssinia southwards. Resplendent withijut doubt ar
. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. 112 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD The CuLiES, or MousE-BlRDS, of South Africa are small, crested, long-tailed, loose-plumaged birds whose exact relationships are somewhat puzzling. The name Mouse-bird is given on account of the habit of creeping along the boughs of trees with the whole foot applied to the branch. The toes are peculiar in that all turn forwards, and are commonl}- so retained. About ten species are known, ranging from Abyssinia southwards. Resplendent withijut doubt are the majority of the forms which we ha\-e been latel\- considering, but prob- ably the palm for gorgeous coloration should be given to the Trugons â at least the)* must be allowed to share the honours with the Humming-birds. The most splendid of all is the QuEZAL, the male of which has a train of great length, resembling at first sight a tail. But, as in the peacock, this is formed b}' enormously elongated tail-coverts, concealing the true tail. These tail-co\-erts differ, however, markedh' from those in the peacock in that they are not erectile, but pendent. The head is ornamented with a large, rounded crest; the ground-colour of the upper parts of the plumage is of brilliant metallic green; the under parts from the chest downwards are of a deep blood-red. Certain of the co\'ert-feathers of the wing form elegant drooping plumes, hanging down on either side and giving a wonderfuU}' beautiful effect. The late Mr. Salvin's account of this bird in its wild state is -well worth quoting. Hunting with a native for this bird in the forest, where alone it is to be met with, he writes ; " A distant clattering note indicates that the bird is on the wing. He settles â a splendid male â on a bough of a tree, not seventy yards from where we are hidden. Cipriano wants to creep up to within shot, but I keep him back, wishincr to risk the chance of losing a specimen rather than miss s
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecad, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectzoology
