The BRAZEN GLOSSY MAGPIE (_Lamprotornis äenea_) is from eighteen to
twenty inches long, ten or thirteen inches of this measurement belonging
to the tail; the wing is from six and a half to seven and a half
inches long. The predominating shade upon the plumage is a beautiful
ever-changing blueish green; the back and lower parts of the body are
brown, and the head enlivened by the copper-like brilliancy we have
already alluded to as pervading this group. The feathers upon the
wing-covers are spotted with black at their tips; the tail is purplish
blue, marked with irregular dark spots, and gleams with metallic lustre.
The eye is light yellow, and the back and feet black. These splendid
birds inhabit Western and Southern Africa, and are replaced by a very
similar race in the more northern portions of the continent. Le Vaillant,
whom we have to thank for the discovery of this species, tells us that
the Brazen Glossy Magpies congregate in large flocks, and spend their
lives principally amongst the trees, from which they descend from time
to time to seek for food. When running upon the ground the long tail is
borne aloft, after the manner of the Jay. In disposition these birds
are extremely shy, and distrustful of man, though we have occasionally
seen them near such of the native huts as are built upon the borders
of the forest. Heuglin mentions having seen them living both in pairs
and flocks, at an altitude of 4,000 feet above the level of the sea; we
learn from the same author that they will occasionally eat carrion; their
voice is harsh and screaming, and so peculiar in its sound as to be quite
unmistakable. Their food consists of various kinds of insects, some of
which they catch with great dexterity when on the wing.
[Illustration: THE SATIN BOWER BIRD (_Philonorhynchus holosericus_).]
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The ROCK GLOSSY STARLINGS (_Moriones_) constitute the last group of
this family to which we shall allude. These birds are recognisable by
the inferior beauty of their plumage, which, however, is not without a
certain brilliancy and gloss upon the feathers; in all the species the
quills of the wings are almost or entirely brown.