. Illustrated natural history : comprising descriptions of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, etc., with sketches of their peculiar habits and characteristics . Zoology. OLIMBEBS. 260 CHAPTER XI. DIVISION I.—VERTEBRATES. CLASS II. —BIRDS. CLIMBERS, SCRATCHERS, AND RUNNERS. ORDER III. — CLIMBERS. Under the Scomsores, or Climbers, we have those birds which have the external toe upon each side turned backwards, enabling them to grasp substances more firmly with their claws, and affording them a more sure support than other birds. This formation adapts them for climbing, as they can cling
. Illustrated natural history : comprising descriptions of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, etc., with sketches of their peculiar habits and characteristics . Zoology. OLIMBEBS. 260 CHAPTER XI. DIVISION I.—VERTEBRATES. CLASS II. —BIRDS. CLIMBERS, SCRATCHERS, AND RUNNERS. ORDER III. — CLIMBERS. Under the Scomsores, or Climbers, we have those birds which have the external toe upon each side turned backwards, enabling them to grasp substances more firmly with their claws, and affording them a more sure support than other birds. This formation adapts them for climbing, as they can cling with consi- derable force to the rough bark and branches of trees. Of this order are the Toucans, the Parrots, the Woodpeckers, and the Cuckoos. The Toucans are all natives of tropical America. Their enormous bill is rendered light in the same way as that of the hornbills, by being chiefly composed of a honeycomb structure. It seems to be very sensitive, and well supplied with nerves, as the bird not only appears to enjoy holding meat or fruits with the tip of its bill, but has been seen to scratch that organ with its foot, plainly proving that there must be sensation. It seems to be omnivorous, but is particularly fond of mice, and small birds, which it kills by a poweriul squeeze, then strips, and finally pulls to pieces and devours, having previously reduced its prey to a shapeless mass by repeated lateral wrenches with its enor- mous and saw-like bill. Waterton in his Wanderings describes the usual haunts of the Toucan. 23. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Wood, J. G. (John George), 1827-1889. Philadelphia : Crawford & Co.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1883
