The PLUMED FROG-MOUTH (_Batrachostomus cornutus_ or _B. Javanensis_) is
an inhabitant of Java, and distinguished from its congeners, not only
by the remarkable arrangement of the head-feathers, but by the beauty
of its plumage. In this bird the region of the ears and brow is covered
with a plume of long, ragged feathers, which hangs down over the eyes and
makes the head appear of a size very disproportionate to the rest of the
body. The plumage on the back is light rust-red, marked with fine zig-zag
black lines, the nape being adorned with a white crescent-shaped patch;
the shoulder-feathers are tipped with white spots thrown into relief
by an ornamented semicircular line of black at their tips; the brow is
marked with reddish yellow spots. The centre of the throat and upper
part of the breast and belly are white, partially marked with zig-zag
lines; the lower breast is rust-red, spotted with black and white; the
tail is light reddish yellow, striped seven or eight times with a deeper
shade, and streaked with black; the quills are similarly decorated. The
eye is sulphur-yellow, the feet brown, and the beak pale yellow. This
extraordinary looking bird chiefly inhabits the thickets of allangallany
palm-trees that abound in Java at about 3,000 feet above the level of
the sea. Bernstein, who was the first to give us any account of it, says
nothing as to its life or habits, but has given us a description of the
nest. This delicate little structure, which is formed almost entirely
of down from the body of the bird, is placed in a hole within the stem
of the palm, and is so small as to render it impossible for the parent
to sit in it whilst engaged in the process of incubation. The female is
therefore compelled to lie along the stem that encloses her snug cradle,
and whilst holding firmly on with her feet, presses her breast against
the opening of the nest, and thus imparts warmth to her young. The one
egg found by Bernstein was oval in shape and of a dull white, streaked
and spotted with brownish red; these markings were most thickly strewn
over the broad end, where they formed a kind of wreath.
Another very similar species (_B. auritus_) has the face ornamented with
a pair of large tufts of light feathers that project horizontally, giving
the bird a very singular and grotesque appearance.
THE SINGING BIRDS (_Oscines_).
Under this name we class numerous families, all of which are more or
less distinguished for the perfection of their vocal apparatus. In
appearance the members of this order are for the most part pleasing and
elegant, and their disposition usually attractive and engaging. Their
body is long, the neck short, and their head comparatively large; the
beak, though differing much as to its formation, is almost invariably
small, straight, or only very slightly curved, and the upper mandible is
generally more or less incised; the tarsi are covered with horny plates,
the toes long, and the claws large and sharp; the wings, invariably of
moderate size, are formed of ten quills, the first of these being usually
much stunted or not at all developed; the tail is by no means large,
and composed of twelve feathers. The plumage, which is soft, thick, and
occasionally downy in texture, is simple and uniform in its coloration;
some few species, however, are brilliantly ornamented. The young at first
differ considerably in appearance from the adult birds, and both young
and old moult their feathers once within the year. All the members of
this extensive order are active, intelligent, and extremely restless;
their flight is light and rapid, and their movements amongst the branches
or upon the ground are distinguished by extraordinary agility. In all,
the sight and hearing are very perfect. They live chiefly upon insects
and seeds of various kinds, but some few species will kill and devour
small birds or similar prey. Every part of the world is enlivened by the
presence of these delightful warblers, whose cheerful voices are heard
even in the most dreary and desolate regions, on burning, sandy plains,
as well as upon the ice-bound shores of arctic regions. Such as inhabit
tropical climates do not migrate; but those within the temperate zones,
as winter approaches, remove towards the south, seeing that their native
lands at that season do not afford them a sufficient supply of food. Very
great variety is observable in the construction of the nests built by
different species of singing birds, many exhibiting wonderful skill, and
in some cases actually _sewing_ together the materials they employ, with
their sharp beaks, whilst others are contented to drag a few leaves into
a hole and thereon deposit their brood. The eggs, sometimes five or six
in number, are hatched by the agency of both parents, who also assist
each other in procuring food for the young progeny. The latter grow with
great rapidity, and are capable of providing for a family of their own
after the first year.
* * * * *
The TOOTH-BEAKED SINGING BIRDS (_Dentirostres_) constitute a large tribe,
the members of which are at once recognisable by a notch or tooth at the
extremity of the upper mandible.
* * * * *
The SHRIKES (_Lanii_) are a very numerous and well-known group, equally
common in all parts of the world. In these birds the body is powerful
and the breast prominent; their neck is strong, the head comparatively
large and round, the wings broad and rounded, the third or fourth quill
far exceeding the rest in length, while their tail is long and graduated.
The beak is powerful, compressed at its sides, and terminates in a strong
hook, near which the upper mandible has a very perceptible tooth-like
appendage. The feet are large and robust, the toes long, and armed with
sharp claws; the plumage is rich, thick, and lax, and its coloration
pleasing and varied.
Woods surrounded by meadows or pasture lands are the favourite resorts
of these birds; but they are also constantly found dwelling in hedges,
among brushwood, or upon solitary trees. Such species as frequent
northern latitudes migrate regularly during the autumn, and find their
way, in pursuit of food, even to Central Africa. In their habits they
closely resemble some of the birds of prey, and their movements bear
considerable similarity to those of the Raven family. Although by no
means conspicuously endowed in most respects, the voice in some species
is highly developed, and all seem capable of improving their natural
powers of song, by imitating the sounds produced by other birds. Their
flight is irregular, and their step upon the ground a mere series of
hops; but, despite these deficiencies, they display great dexterity in
securing their prey, even should it equal themselves in size; and are
exceeded by no other members of the feathered creation in rapacity and
the cruelty which they display towards their victims. They devour insects
in large quantities, but by no means rely solely upon them for food, for
they destroy great numbers of Sparrows and other small birds; and their
attacks are all the more dangerous as they are entirely unsuspected. It
is not uncommon to see a large party of little birds quietly perched
around a Shrike, and evidently regarding it as a friendly companion,
whilst in reality the treacherous intruder is merely watching for a
favourable moment to dart upon and kill some member of the group that it
has already singled out as its prey. One very remarkable habit, depicted
in the engraving on page 145, is highly characteristic of this family; we
allude to the practice of spiking their victims upon sharp thorns, from
which circumstance they have obtained the well-merited appellation of
BUTCHER BIRDS. The nest of the Shrike is artistically constructed of the
green portions of plants, and placed in a thick bush or closely-foliaged
branch. The brood consists of from four to six eggs, which are hatched by
the female alone, whilst her mate undertakes the duty of providing for
her nourishment. Both parents assist in feeding the nestlings, and in
defending them. The young remain under parental care and instruction for
a considerable time after they are fully fledged, sometimes not leaving
it until the winter, for the Shrike, if undisturbed, breeds but once in
the course of the year.