THE ABBAGAMBA, OR ABYSSINIAN HORNBILL (Bucorax Abyssinicus).
This remarkable bird is found over a large portion of Africa, and is common in Abyssinia, where it subsists principally on a large beetle that abounds in the Teff fields at certain seasons. In some parts of the continent it is regarded with superstitious veneration, and is known as the Tier el Naciba, or Bird of Destiny. So strong, indeed, is this feeling among the natives, that they will not permit an Abbagamba to be killed near their dwellings, lest they should lose their flocks and cattle by disease; under any circumstances, however, this species is but little liable to molestation, as the disgusting stench emitted by its body renders a near approach to it almost impossible. During the breeding season the Abyssinian Hornbills live in pairs, but after that period wander about the fields in parties in search of locusts, grasshoppers, and beetles. Gourney tells us that they also devour snails, lizards, frogs, rats, mice, and similar fare. Insects they obtain by hacking in the ground with their powerful bill, and then, after tossing their victim in the air, catch it in their extended mandibles as it descends. According to Gourney they attack snakes with great intrepidity, employing their wing as a shield against the dangerous foe, and, should he prove formidable, calling in the assistance of their companions, in order more speedily to dispatch him. When excited, these strange birds present a most extraordinary appearance, as they stalk along with throat inflated and wings trailing, the tail meanwhile being constantly opened and closed, after the manner of a Turkey-cock. Their step, which resembles that of a Raven, is unsteady, and their movements in the air, contrary to the usually received idea, both light and graceful; they, however, rarely fly to any distance, but, if alarmed, merely rise and take refuge in a neighbouring tree. Should any suspicious sound attract the attention of a party of these birds, they stand erect and listen attentively, with bill wide open, and, at the first note uttered by one of their number, at once hurry to a place of safety, usually selecting such spots as command a free view of the surrounding country. The cry of the Abbagamba is deep, harsh, and so resonant that, according to Gourney, it can be heard at the distance of more than a mile. While engaged in attracting the attention of his mate, the male often continues his call, almost without intermission, for a quarter of an hour at a time, and is answered by her repeatedly in a somewhat higher tone. The nest, as we ourselves ascertained, is made in large hollow trees, with the entrance on the east side. The eggs, we learn from Heuglin, are small and round, with a rough white shell. A nestling found by us at first exhibited no trace of the horny excrescence on its bill, and, on being shut up in a yard with a variety of other live stock, soon became tame, and lived on excellent terms with its companions.
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS (Gallinæ).
We have now arrived at an important division of the feathered tribes, all the members of which are more or less terrestrial. They generally procure their food from the surface of the ground, upon which they run or walk with facility, and many of them scratch up the earth in search of such nutritive materials as serve for their subsistence. They have, therefore, in conformity with such a mode of life, a short or moderately long beak, which is usually vaulted above. Their body is heavy, and their wings generally short. They all live principally upon grain, and are furnished with a strong muscular gizzard. To this order belong our game birds, and most of our poultry. Their flesh is edible, and supplies us with wholesome and nutritious food, and from the facility with which they are procurable, and the ease with which some are domesticated, are of the utmost importance to mankind.
The members of this division were separated by Cuvier into two sections—the COLUMBÆ, or Pigeons, and the GALLINÆ, properly so called. More recently, however, these sections have been considered as forming two distinct orders, distinguished by the names of the PIGEONS (Gyratores) and the SCRAPERS (Rasores), or TRUE GALLINACEOUS BIRDS.
PIGEONS.