PDF - Wallace Online

vi A THEORY OF BIRDS' NESTS 125the same genus, the tail of the female is rufous, while that ofthe male is blue. In most kingfishers the nest is in a deephole in the ground in; Tanysiptera it is said to be a holein the nests of termites, or sometimes in crevices under overhangingrocks.2. Motmots (Momotidse). In these showy birds the sexesare exactly alike, and the nest in a hole under ground.3. Puff-birds (Bucconidse). These birds are often gailycoloured; some have coral -red bills; the sexes are exactlyalike, and the nest is in a hole in sloping ground.4. Trogons (Trogonidse). In these magnificent birds thefemales are generally less brightly coloured than the males, butare yet often gay and conspicuous. The nest is in a hole of a tree.5.Hoopoes (Upupidse). The barred plumage and longcrests of these birds render them conspicuous. The sexes areexactly alike, and the nest is in a hollow tree.6. Hornbills (Bucerotidae). These large birds have enormouscoloured bills, which are generally quite as well colouredand conspicuous in the females. Their nests are always inhollow trees, where the female is entirely concealed.7. Barbets (Capitonidse). These birds are all very gailycoloured,and, what is remarkable, the most brilliant patchesof colour are disposed about the head and neck, and are veryconspicuous. The sexes are exactly alike, and the nest is ina hole of a tree.8. Toucans (Rhamphastidae). These fine birds are colouredin the most conspicuous parts of their body, especially on thelarge bill, and on the upper and lower tail coverts, which arecrimson, white, or yellow. The sexes are exactly alike, andthey always build in a hollow tree.9. Plaintain-eaters (Musophagidae). Here again the headand bill are most brilliantly coloured in both sexes, and thenest is in a hole of a tree.10. Ground cuckoos (Centropus). These birds are oftenof conspicuous colours, and are alike in both sexes. Theybuild a domed nest.11. WoodpeckersIn this(Picidae).family the femalesoften differ from the males in having a yellow or white,instead of a crimson crest, but are almost as conspicuous.Theyall nest in holes in trees.