CHATTERER.
Bill short, straight, elevated ; the upper mandible faint ly curved towards the extremity, with a very marked in dentation; nostrils basal, ovoid, open, concealed by rough hairs directed forward ; three toes before, and one behind, the outer consolidated with that in the middle; wings of moderate size, with the first and second quills the longest.
B. garrula, .1mpelis garrulus, Lin. &c. Bohemica, Brisson. Waxen Bohemian, or Silk-tail chatterer, or Bo hemian irax-wing. Back of the head crested ; length nearly eight inches ; size about that of a starling.
Though found in Europe, Northern Asia, and America, the original country of this bird is doubtful ; for every where it seems to roam, and in no region has its mode of breeding been ascertained. Linne, and others, have con jectured that the species is propagated farther north than Sweden, and it is supposed to build its nest in the holes of rocks. The epithet Bohemian is by no means appro priate, for it only migrates into Bohemia, as it does into many other countries. In Austria it is conceived to be a native of Bohemia and Styria, because it enters by the frontiers of those regions; but, in Bohemia it might with equal propriety be called the bird of Saxony, and in Sax ony the bird of Denmark, or of other countries on the shores of the Baltic. They occasionally abound in Prus sia, and visit Poland and Lithuania ; and Strahlenberg in formed Frisch, that they have been met with in Tartary, in the holes of rocks, After a period of three years, or more, they are said to leave Bohemia entirely ; and they are not found there in winter. The few, on the contrary, which stray into France and Great Britain, appear in the depth of the winter, but always in small parties, as if they had parted from the great body by some accident ; where as immense numbers have, at particular epochs, been seen to arrive in Italy, where, in former times, their congregat ed legions were deemed ominous of war or pestilence. In Sweden they sometimes pass in such dense bands as to intercept the light. They are partial to melting juicy fruits, to grapes, berries of various descriptions, almonds, apples, &c. They arc easily tamed, affectionate, sociable, and susceptible of particular friendships among themselves, independently of sexual attachment ; but they languish and die in strict confinement. They utter a sort of chir rup when they rise, but are quite mute in a cage. Beau mur will not even allow that they can chant, while Prince d'Avensperg asserts that their notes are very pleasing.
The truth, perhaps, is, that, during a short period in the breeding season, they may warble, and only chirp and chatter at other times. Authors likewise differ as to the edible qualities of their flesh, which probably vary accord ing to the prevailing diet of the bird.
Bill strong, compressed towards the extremity, bent in at the point, with the base naked of feathers ; nostrils ob long; feet short, stout, and formed for walking; wings long, with the first quill somewhat shorter than the se cond. Most of the family are conspicuous rather for bril liancy than harmony of colouring, and in their general manners they seem to be nearly allied to the crows.
C. garrula,Lin. Galgulus ieill. Com mon. European, or Garrulous Roller. Sea-green, with nearly even tail ; wings varied with blue, sea-green, and black ; back testaceous; rump blue. The shoulders, or parts invested by the smaller wing-coverts, are of a rich ultra-marine blue; the back and scapular feathers testa ceous, or pale chesnut ; and the rump ultra-marine ; the whole vying with some of the parrots, and on this account, as well as on that of its chattering propensity, the bird has been sometimes denominated the German parrot. it is about the size of a jay, measuring thirteen inches in length, and two feet from tip to tip of the outstretched wings. The young do not acquire their splendid colours till the second year ; and Montbeillard suspects that the two long tail feathers are the attribute of the male.
This is the only one of the family known in Europe. It roams as far north as Sweden, and a few stragglers have been met with in England. In France it is far from com mon; but it occurs more frequently in Germany, Italy, Sicily, Malta, &c. and appears preferably to haunt the warmer regions of the old continent, particularly Africa. In some of the European countries it is said to migrate in the months of May and September. In districts in which it abounds, it is seen to fly in large flocks in the autumn, and to frequent cultivated grounds, in the company of rooks and other birds, searching for worms, small seeds, roots, &c. It breeds among birch trees, and sometimes, as in Malta, in a hole in the ground, laying from four to seven eggs, of a glossy greenish white. It feeds on moles, worms, beetles, acorns, grain, &c. is fond of fruit, and, in case of necessity, does not reject carrion. Its note is noisy and chattering. It is publicly sold in the market in Sicily, Malta, &c. and is said to taste like turtle.