. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. . as long as the beak, which is covered oneach side with closely-packed barbs, similar to a feather, the use ofwhich remains to us a complete mystery. This curious instrumentso struck the naturalists of Brazil, where many Toucans are found,that it furnished them with a name. In Brazilian toucan means feather, Toucans feed on fruits and insects; they live in bands of fromsix to ten in damp places where the palm-tree flourishes, for its fruitis their favourite food
. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. . as long as the beak, which is covered oneach side with closely-packed barbs, similar to a feather, the use ofwhich remains to us a complete mystery. This curious instrumentso struck the naturalists of Brazil, where many Toucans are found,that it furnished them with a name. In Brazilian toucan means feather, Toucans feed on fruits and insects; they live in bands of fromsix to ten in damp places where the palm-tree flourishes, for its fruitis their favourite food. In eating they seize the fruit with the ex-tremity of the beak, make it bounce up in the air, receive it then 442 REPTILES AND BIRDS. into the throat, and swallow it in one piece. If it is too large, andimpossible to divide, they reject it. They are rarely seen on theground, and although their flight is heavy and difficult, they perchon the branches of the highest trees, where they remain in ceaselessmotion. Their call is a sort of whistle, frequently uttered. Verytimid, they are approached with difficulty. During the breeding. Fig. I;o—Common Toucan. [71.—Curl-crested Aracarl. season they attack the weakest birds of their own race, chase themfrom their nests, and devour the eggs or nearly-hatched young build their nests in holes hollowed out by Woodpeckers orother birds. They all have very brilliant plumage, and inhabitParaguay, Brazil, and Guiana. This family is divided into Toucans properly speaking and theAracaris. These are distinguished from the former by their much less,size, more solid beak, and longer tail. The most beautiful species ofthe family is Cuviers Toucan {Rhamphastos Cuvieri). The beautiful GREY CUCKOO. 443 orange feathers which cover some of these birds are sometimes em-ployed for ladies adornments. This fashion has passed from Braziland Peru into Europe, and muffs made of the throats of Toucanssell at a great price. The Common Toucan {Rhamph
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