and when folded reach to the commencement of the second third of the tail;
the fifth quill feather rather the longest, the fourth, third, second and first
successively shorter, the second being about the same length as the secondary
quill feathers, the first nine lines shorter; the tertiaries as long as the
primaries. Tail long and rounded at the point. Tarsi short, anteriorly scut-
ellated, and posteriorly coated with minute granular scales; outer toe
semiversatile; claws strong, pointed, and much curved.
DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines. Inches. Lines.
Length from the point of the bill to the Length of the tarsus ............. ........ 1 9
tip of the tail .................... 15 „ 6 of the outer toe ......... 0 11
Length of the bill from the gape....... 0 11
of the wings when folded ... 7 3 of the inner toe ......... ........ 0 10
of the tail ........................ 8 0 of the hinder toe ...__ ...... 0 «1
In the female the crest is shorter and the colours are less brilliant, the
extent of the crimson upon the wings is also less and on few of the quills
does it reach beyond the basal half of the feathers. Both sexes are nearly
alike in size.
This species, as far as I know, has only yet been found towards. Port Natal. It inhabits the
scattered thickets which occur along the coast, and in the densest portions of these it seeks its
food, which consists of fruits, &c. It is a very shy bird, and unless the spot upon which it
peaches after it has been disturbed be well marked, it will rarely be discovered by the hunter.
When conscious of danger, it remains perfectly motionless, and as its usual position is parallel
to the branch upon which it rests, little appears to facilitate the discovery. In moving from
one part of a branch to another, it generally runs along it, either ascending or descending,
according to circumstances, and it often pursues a similar course while removing from one side of
a tree to the other.
Besides the present species, C o ry th a ix P e r s a also inhabits southern Africa. The latter is
still common within the limits of the colony, and there is scarcely a forest or wooded ravine
from which the quick-sighted collector may not obtain specimens. It sits and moves to and
fro upon trees in the manner of C. porphyreolopha.