CLASS AVES. 



163 



protection from the rain, it generally makes the opening 

 under a large branch.* Its undulating flight, often by a 

 single sweep from tree to tree, as if the bird had been 

 swung with closed wings in a curved line, is the perfec- 

 tion of graceful movement. 



FIG. 275. 



FIG. 27fi. 



Cam pheph' \ lus prin ci pi it*: 

 Ivory- billed Woodpecker, (-&. 



Sham phas' tos tu en' mis. 

 Toucan, South America (J.) 



The Toucan (too'kan) is noted for a feathery tongue 

 in an enormous bill of honey-comb structure, to render 

 it light and yet strong. It feeds on soft fruits and meats ; 

 and as its large bill renders necessary throwing back the 

 head that the fruit may fall down the throat, it has been 

 erroneously reported as tossing up its food to catch it 

 as it falls. At roost it usually elevates the long tail over 

 the back, and curving its neck, so disposes of the two 

 lengthened appendages, bill and tail, as to be almost in- 

 conspicuous. There are more than fifty species, varying 

 greatly in plumage and size, but all have some portion 

 of the plumage brilliant with glaring colors. 



* This bird is so strong that strips of bark several inches in length are often 

 detached wit*h such rapidity as to fall to the ground in a shower. 



