A Contribution to the Biology of the Musophagiformes, the So-Called Plantain-Eaters.

Abstract

(1) The various names indicating plantain (banana) eating, by which these birds have been called, have no foundation whatever in their habits in nature. As the English name, " Turacos " is preferred for the Order as a whole. (2) The growth and habits of T. fischeri and T. persa are described from the age of about one month onwards. Young specimens of Crinifer and Corythmola are described. (3) It is a character of the Order that the young are completely clothed with (neossoptile) down; it is probable, but not proved, that they are all born with it. At the age of about four or five weeks this has been replaced as bodycovering by a dense growth of down-feathers (semi-plumes), but on the head and neck it is more or less completely shed (at the age of about two months) before any other covering is ready to take its place. The ear is, however, specially protected at this stage. The coloured contour feathers only begin to appear about the tenth week. The pre-adult wing and tail are complete about the ninth and twelfth week respectively. Evidence (from captive birds) on the date adult plumage is assumed is hopelessly divergent.