The JAPU, or TUFTED CASSICAN (_Cassicus cristatus_), is an inhabitant of
South America, and has been selected for particular description as being
one of the most remarkable species belonging to this group. In this bird
the plumage is principally of a brilliant black, with the lower portion
of the body of a deep reddish brown; the exterior tail-feathers are
yellow, and the inner ones black. The beak is of a whitish yellow, the
feet deep black, the eyes, like those of the rest of its congeners, light
blue. The length of the male varies from fifteen and a half to seventeen
inches, its breadth is twenty-three and a half inches, the wing measures
from seven and two-third to eight inches, and the tail from six to seven
inches. The female is at least three inches shorter, and the wings six or
seven inches less in their span.
[Illustration: THE BALTIMORE BIRD.]
We are indebted to the Prince von Wied for an exhaustive account of this
species, from which we shall extract such particulars as our space will
permit. This remarkable bird, he tells us, inhabits the whole of South
America, but is most numerous in the northern portions, frequenting
woodland districts, and such plantations or human habitations as may be
in the immediate neighbourhood of forests, but avoiding barren or open
parts of the country. It is social and active, flying about incessantly
amongst the trees, and hanging suspended by its sharp claws from the
branches, from time to time plucking a favourite fruit, and carrying
it off with cries of delight to another spot where it may be eaten in
safety. During the season, oranges and bananas constitute its favourite
food, and large quantities of valuable fruit are thus destroyed, in spite
of all the precautions taken by the planters for its preservation; but at
other times the Japu contents itself with less dainty fare, and subsists
principally upon insects and berries. Few scenes are more animated than
that afforded by a settlement of these interesting birds, as they perch
upon the branches of the forest trees, in parties of some thirty or forty
couples, or fly about filling the whole air with their strange and varied
song, the general effect of which, when thus heard in chorus, is far from
unpleasing, though some notes are harsh, and others very shrill.
[Illustration: THE GREAT BOAT-TAIL (_Quiscalus major_).]
Their nests, which are extremely curious, are suspended close together
from the branches of the highest trees; in shape they are not unlike
a purse, being long, narrow, and rounded at the bottom, usually three
or four feet long, and not more than five or six inches wide. A bough
of about the thickness of a man's finger is usually chosen for their
support, and to this they are stoutly fastened, a long and narrow hole
being left at the top for an entrance. Occasionally these abodes are
built one upon another, each being provided with a separate opening. The
Japu constructs this large and beautiful fabric with the greatest care,
weaving together the various fibres of which it is formed so strongly,
and with so much skill, as to render the task of tearing it to pieces a
work of real difficulty. When the nest is completed a soft, warm bed of
moss or leaves is made at the bottom of the bag, and upon this the eggs,
one or two in number, are laid. We ourselves have never found more than
one young bird in the nest, but believe we are correct in stating that
two eggs are sometimes deposited: they are slightly elongated in shape,
the shell being white, with reddish-violet or deep purple streaks and
spots. The nestlings have loud, harsh voices, and resemble their parents
in plumage very shortly after being fledged, as the yellow tail is soon
acquired. Immediately after the breeding season young and old congregate
in flocks, and seek for food upon their favourite fruit-trees. A more
strange or beautiful sight can scarcely be imagined, says the Prince von
Wied, than that of a tree laden with dozens of the curious nests, and
animated by the presence of a party of Cassicans, whose glorious plumage
seems to gain new beauty as they spread their tails, raise their wings,
after the manner of the swan, inflate their breasts, and utter their
flute-like cry, as though to attract the observation of a stranger, whose
near approach they will permit without exhibiting any sign of fear. The
flight of this bird is swift and light, the peculiar motion of its wings
producing a whirring sound, which is distinctly audible. The natives of
South America shoot the Japu for the sake of its flesh, although somewhat
tough and coarse, and for its feathers, which they apply to many purposes
of ornamentation, frequently forming them into a plume to wear upon the
forehead.
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The BOAT-TAILS (_Quiscalus_), so called on account of the peculiar
conformation of the caudal part of their plumage, are distinguished by
their long, straight, conical beaks, the upper mandible of which is
slightly curved and bent at its extremity. The wings are of moderate
size, the tail much rounded, and the webs of its outer feathers turned
upwards, something like the sides of a boat. The legs are delicately
formed, and their coat, which is black, gleams in certain lights with
metallic brilliancy.