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Show 1869.] HABITS OF THE HORNBILLS. 143 than the thickened semichondrified lining membrane of the gizzard. All the puckerings and Indentations were more or less exactly represented, though less sharp in outline than is ordinarily the case. The mucous surface of the inner wall of the bag was slimy, otherwise perfectly identical with the same structure in a healthy bird. The surface outside, on that which might be said to be the submucous tissue, was moist, comparatively uninjured, and free from any effusion or disease. The rim of the mouth of the bag was irregular and shreddy, and thinned away at its free edge. " The soft egg-like bodies contained within this (so to speak) cast-up sac proved to be seven or eight discoloured grapes; or they might be, so far as appearance went, raisins. None of these had undergone the process of digestion, but, from their sodden aspect, I believe had been slightly acted on by the gastric juice. " Positive of the nature of this queer rejected pellet, there follows the still more extraordinary circumstance that the Hornbill should live and feed afterwards, seemingly not much affected by the loss of the inner coat of its stomach. Had I not myself seen and examined the objects, I would scarcely have credited the facts." Having placed the specimen in what I believed to be safe custody, I kept a strict watch over m y suspected Hornbill, and a day or two afterwards was rewarded by a second and very perfect specimen of this extraordinary package of fruit. This I at once, after carefully examining the outside only, placed in spirits, and am now able to bring before the Meeting. Since I obtained these two specimens I have seen others, all from the same individual bird; but as the Lyre-bird and others were in the same aviary, these were mutilated and destroyed before I could save them. Now, notwithstanding all that has been advanced by m y friend Dr. Murie, I beg leave to differ from him entirely; and instead of this most wonderful body being the result of indigestion, disease, or derangement of any kind, I have no doubt it is the natural secretion that is provided for this bird during the breeding-season, and that it is the means by which the male Hornbill supplies the female bird with food during the time she is imprisoned by him while sitting upon the eggs in the hollow tree, in which, according to the most trustworthy authorities, the male builds up the entrance to the nest with clay. Dr. Livingstone was the first person, I believe, who called attention to this singular habit in the Hornbills; since then many other observers have confirmed the fact, both in Africa and India. Capt. Tickell speaks of it, saying that he " saw with his own eyes," although he previously " thought it was a fable." The Rev. J. Mason, in his work on Burmah, says of the Concave Horn-bills, " their nests are constructed in a superior manner of clay in the stumps or hollows of old trees. After the female has laid five or six eggs, the male bird shuts her entirely in with mud except a small hole, where she can only put out her head. Here she must sit during her incubation, for if she breaks through the inclosure her life pays the forfeit; but to compensate for the loss of freedom, her spirited mate is ever on the alert to gratify his dainty mistress, who |
