.SCANSORES. 263 



The extinct Dodos (Ineptae) were allied to this last family, and 

 have been placed among the pigeon-like birds. They were living in 

 Vasco di Gama's time on small islands on the East Coast of Africa 

 (the Mascarenes), and were still plentiful ; they became extinct two 

 hundred years ago. As far as we can judge of the appearance of this 

 bird from the preserved remains (in [London] Oxford and Copenhagen) 

 of skulls, beaks, and legs, and from the old descriptions, and especially 

 from an old oil painting preserved in the British Museum, the Dodo, 

 Didus ineptus L., was an unwieldy bird, larger than the Swan, with 

 lax plumage, powerful, four-toed, scraping feet, and strong, deeply- 

 cleft beak. 



Order 5. SCANSORES. 



/;//</* with powerful beak, stiff plumage having but little down, and 

 accmsorialfeet. The young are altrices. 



Within the artificial limits of this order is included a number of 

 groups of very different birds which essentially agree only in the 

 structure of the feet, which are adapted principally for climbing ; 

 they present, however, considerable differences in the manner of 

 locomotion, and find their nearest allies in several families of Passer es. 

 The beak is always powerful ; it is sometimes long, straight, and 

 angular, adapted for hammering and chiseling on trees (Woodpecker) ; 

 sometimes short and curved like a hook (Parrot), or of colossal size 

 and with dentated edges (Toucan). The legs end with long-toed, 

 scansorial feet, the outer toe of which can in some cases be directed 

 forward. The metatarsus is seldom feathered, more frequently beset 

 with semirings and scutes in front and small scales behind. The 

 wings contain very generally ten primaries. The tail is sometimes 

 used as a support in climbing. Most of the Scaiisores inhabit forests, 

 nest in hollow trees, and feed on insects, some of them, however, on 

 small birds, and others on fruit and vegetable matters. 



Fam. Ramphastidae (Toucans). Haven-like birds, with colossal, marginally 

 serrated beak, and horny, brush-like tongue. RanvpTiastus toco L. ; Ptemi/loxxux 

 Ai-acttri 111. 



Fam. Trogonidae. Beak short and strong, with usually serrated edges and 

 wide, slit-like mouth, with bristles at the corner of the mouth. The plumage of 

 the male has a metallic lustre. Trogon curucul L., Brazil ; Culxrus rexjili'tnlrnft 

 Gould, the Quesal, in Central America. Here are allied the Jacamar ((Ittllmld) 

 and Puff-bird (Bitcco). 



Fam. Cuculidae (Cuckoos). With gently-curved, deeply-cleft beak. Inns: 

 pointed wings, and wedge-shaped, pointed tail. The feet are scansorial. and 

 the outer toe can be directed forward. Cuculux ciinonix'L.. European Cuckoo, 



