homy shell; the middle toe rather longer than the outermost, the innermost
slightly shorter than the latter, and of the same length as the hindermost;
claws pointed and considerably curved.
DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length from the hill to the top of the
t a i l .................................................. 8 0
of the ta il................................ 3 9
of the wings when folded....... 4 4
Inches. Lines.
Length of tarsns..................................... 1 1
of the middle to e ................... 0 6
of the inner toe...................... 0 4£
The female, as regards the colour of the plumage and the size, differs little
if at all from the male.
The first individuals of this species we obtained were killed in about 25° south latitude, and
from that parallel specimens continued to occur as far as we advanced to the northward. They
were generally observed among low bushes, in flocks of six or eight individuals, and either
actively engagedTin traversing those bushes, or in exploring the grounds around them in search
of insects. The termites appeared to form their favorite food; and rarely was a specimen
obtained whose stomach did not contain them in abundance. I t is a shy bird, and rather
noisy. In flying, sometimes all the individuals of the little flock utter their cries simultaneously*
and the same practice they frequently observe while searching for food on the ground, or upon
bushes. When the mere inclination of one of the flock induces it to fly, all the rest follow
the example, and together, wing their way to another locality. The present, the third
species yet discovered of the genus, is readily to be distinguished from the other two,
(P r io n o p s Geo ffro y i, Vieillot; and P r io n o p s c r ista tu s, Ruppell), by its having no crest.