The TURAKO (_Corythacola cristata_) may be regarded as the giant of this
family. It is a very remarkable species, resembling the Helmet Birds in
some respects, but differing from them in others so decidedly as to cause
it to be regarded by some as the type of a distinct group. These birds
are remarkable for the great size of their limbs, and also present marked
peculiarities in the formation of the beak, and in the crests with which
their heads are adorned. Their body is powerfully constructed, the wings
of moderate size, and rather pointed, the fifth quill being longer than
the rest, the fourth and sixth, however, almost equalling it in length;
the tail consists of ten broad rounded feathers, slightly graduated at
the sides; the tarsi are short and strong, the toes long, and armed with
thick claws; the beak is powerful, and decidedly arched, somewhat rounded
at the roof, and indented at its edges. The crest is formed by elongation
of the feathers upon the brow and top of the head, the region of the
eyes and bridles are also covered with feathers. The plumage is thick
and soft, and upon the under part of the body slightly downy. In size
this species will bear comparison with the Raven. Its length is about two
feet two inches, the wing measures one foot, and the tail one foot and
one or two inches. A bright green or Turkish blue usually predominates
in the coloration of the feathers; those which form the crest are, on
the contrary, black, tipped with dark blue; the breast and fore part of
the belly are yellowish green, the rest of the under portion of the bird
pale reddish brown, the tail greenish blue, tipped with bright blue, and
marked with a broad streak of black towards its extremity. The beak is
yellow, lighter in shade towards its base; the feet are of a leaden hue.
The male and female resemble each other, but the young are without the
crest, and have the throat bare; the beak and upper part of the head are
black, and the whole coat much paler than in the adults.
The habitat of the Turako is confined to Western Africa, where it
exclusively frequents such tracts as are well watered and thickly planted
with trees, living in the same manner as the Helmet Birds, and rarely
flying for any length of time, owing to the great difficulty it has in
sustaining its heavy body, or rising to any great height in the air.
Juicy fruits, such as figs or bananas, constitute its favourite food, but
it will also eat grasshoppers and a variety of insects, and is said to
do great mischief in plantations by the quantities that it devours. The
Turako is constantly on the alert against danger, and on the slightest
alarm raises its crest, which is usually laid flat, elevates its head,
and turns about with every symptom of fear, previous to seeking safety
in some other locality, where it conceals itself from pursuit with so
much skill as to render its capture a work of difficulty, in spite of the
observation it attracts by its loud, hoarse cry.
* * * * *
The second division of the Plantain Eaters constitutes a distinct group,
called the
SPLIT-BEAKS (_Schizorhis_), also inhabitants of Western and Central
Africa, distinguishable from the species already described by their
elongated bodies and comparatively long wings, in which the fourth quill
is longer than the rest, and also by the construction of their beaks,
which are strong, and nearly as thick as they are broad; the upper
mandible is very decidedly curved, and but slightly indented at its
edges. The plumage of this group is dusky, and the crest upon the head of
a peculiar shape.