Cases 13 to 17

contain the birds belonging to the order Picariœ, [unclear: a] cellaneous assortment of very different forms, grouped together more because they differ from other birds, than on account of their resemblance to each other. In Case 13 we have the Rollers (Coracias), the beautiful Trogons (Trogon), and the broad-billed Todies (Eurylaimus).^† have also the Night Jars (Caprimulgidœ), night fyline birds, with soft, owl-like feathers, wonderfully wide months and long wings. Like the Swifts (Cypselidœ) they catch insects on the wing, but the Swifts fly by day. The Humming Birds (Trochilidœ), although so different in appearance are closely related in their internal structure to the Swifts. They are represented by a group of some of the most typical and beautiful forms. They are the smallest of all birds, and are found only in America.

In Case 14 we have the Kingfishers (Alcediniœ), Bee-eaters (Meropidœ), and the Jacamars ([unclear: Gal]) Also the Hoopoe (Upupa epops), one of the most graceful and useful of birds. In this case are also the beautiful Rifle Bird (Ptilornis) of Northern Australia. May page 17 naturalists think, and with good reason, that this bird should be classed with the Birds of Paradise. In Case 15 there are the Hornbills (Burerotidœ), remarkable for the enormous development of the beak. It is, however, very light, being hollow. The Toucans (Rhamphastidœ) have also large hollow beaks, but they are brilliantly coloured, while the Hornbills are always clothed in black, or brown. These birds feed on fruit, which they throw up in the air and catch in their large bills.^* The Barbets (Megalaiminœ) get their name from the number of straight hairs they have on their beaks. They live in thick forests.

Case 16 is devoted to the Woodpeckers (Picidœ). They are found in almost all parts of the world, except Australia. They live entirely on insects, which they extract decaying trees by means of their long tongue. Case 17 contains nothing but Cuckoos (Cuculidœ.) They hare curved beaks, and two toes in front and two behind. The English Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is supposed to derive protection from its great resemblance to the Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus) [Case 8]. It is well known that many Cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of other small birds it has excited astonishment how so big a bird could lay its egg in so small a nest, but the female Cuckoo has been seen to lay its egg on the ground, and take [unclear: it] bill and put it into the nest. It is only the male birds that make the well-known cry. The Ground Cuckoos (Centropus) have one of their hind claws very long. The Channel-Bill (Scythrops novœ hollandiœ) is remarkable for its large bill. It lives only among the ups of high trees.