The CAPUCHIN BIRD, or BALD FRUIT CROW (_Gymnocephalus calvus_),
represents one of the most remarkable of the groups into which the
family of Gymnoderi is divided. The body of this species much resembles
that of a Crow, with some slight variation in the different members;
that is to say, the beak is considerably flatter, the feet shorter and
stronger, and the toes comparatively much longer than in that bird. The
slightly-pointed wings extend to the middle of the short tail; the
region of the beak, bridles, and eyes, the brow, the top of the head,
and the throat, are bare, and along the cheek-stripes are four stiff
bristles. The plumage is compact, of a reddish brown colour, shaded with
olive-green upon the back; the quills and tail-feathers are blackish
brown, the secondaries tinted with red; the upper wing-covers are
greenish brown; the face, beak, and feet black; and the eyes dark brown;
the bare portions of the face are slightly strewn with bristles; in the
young these bristles are replaced by a whitish down, and the entire
plumage varies considerably, not only from that of the adult birds, but
in different individuals. The body of this species measures sixteen, the
wing nine, and the tail four inches.
[Illustration: _Plate 16, Cassell's Book of Birds_
1. Kestrel (_Falco tinnunculus_).--2. Sparrowhawk (_Accipiter
Nisus_).--3. Great grey Shrike (_Lanius excubitor_).--4. Red backed
Shrike (_Lanius collurio_). 5. Cuckoo (_Cuculus canocus_).--6. Nuthatch
(_Sitta europæa_).--7. Creeper (_Certhia familiaris_).--8. Pied
Fly-catcher (_Muscicapa luctuosa_).--9. Spotted Fly-catcher (_Muscicapa
grisola_).--10. Yellow Wagtail (_Motacilla flava_).--11. Pied Wagtail
(_Motacilla alba_).--12. Missel Thrush (_Turdus viscivorus_).--13.
Blackbird (_Turdus merula_).--14. Thrush (_Turdus musicus_).--15. Ring
Ouzel (_Turdus torquatus_).--16. Red Start (_Phoenicura ruticilla_).--17.
Greenfinch (_Cocothraustes chloris_).--18. Bulfinch (_Pyrrhula
vulgaris_).--19. Goldfinch (_Fringilla carduelis_).--20. Lesser Redpole
(_Fringilla linaria_).--21. Chaffinch (_Fringilla cœlebs_).--22. Linnet
(_Fringilla cannabina_).--23. Yellow-ammer (_Emberiza citrinella_).--24.
Tree Sparrow (_Passer montanus_).--25. House Sparrow (_Passer
domesticus_).--26. Greater Titmouse (_Parus Major_).--27. Tomtit
(_Parus ceruleus_).--28. Bottle Tit (_Parus caudatus_).--29. Marsh
Titmouse (_Parus palustris_).--30. Cole Titmouse (_Parus ater_).--31.
Golden-crested Wren (_Regulus auricapillus_).--32. Fire Crest (_Regulus
ignicapillus_).--33. Redbreast (_Erythaca rubecula_).--34. Wren
(_Troglodytes europæus_).--35. Swallow (_Hirundo rustica_).--36. Tit Lark
(_Anthus pratensis_).--37. Skylark (_Alauda arvensis_).--38. Woodlark
(_Alauda arborea_).--39. Hedge Sparrow (_Accentor modularis_).--40.
Grasshopper Warbler (_Salicaria locustella_).--41. Nightjar (_Caprimulgus
europæus_).--42. Quail (_Coturnix vulgaris_).]
We are almost entirely without particulars as to the habits of these
remarkable birds, except that they live in pairs in the depths of the
forests of Guiana and North Brazil, and are rarely met with at an
altitude of more than 1,200 feet above the level of the sea. Fruits
appear to constitute their principal nourishment; and when not engaged
in satisfying the calls of hunger, the couples are usually to be seen
perched side by side upon a branch. Their cry, which resembles the
bleating of a calf, is uttered, according to Schomburghk, at regular
intervals.
[Illustration: THE UMBRELLA BIRD, OR UMBRELLA CHATTERER (_Cephalopterus
ornatus_).]