SCANSORES: TROGONID^E. 145 



by their enormous bill, which is almost as thick and long 

 as their body, and which is light and cellular internally, 

 arcuated near the end, and irregularly indented along its 

 edges. Their tongue is long, and fringed with barbs on 

 both sides. They inhabit the warm regions of South 

 America. Contrary to what might be supposed, they 

 are graceful in their movements, and in obtaining their 

 food show a use for their long bills. They dip them 

 down into the deep and hanging nests of other birds, 

 and extract the eggs and young for food. They also 

 feed upon fish, insects, and fruit. They throw their food 

 into the air, and catch it as it descends, and thus swal- 

 low it with greater facility. About twenty species are 

 known. 



TROGONIDJE, OR TROGON FAMILY. This Family com- 

 prises birds with a broad short bill, the tip hooked and 

 dentate, and the base surrounded by long stiff bristles, 

 the wings short and rounded, tail elongated, legs small, 

 tarsus short and hidden in the plumage. They live upon 

 insects, build their nests in hollow trees, and are but little 

 upon the wing. They are found in both continents. 



The Genus Trogon Trogons has the bill broad, 

 both mandibles serrated, and the anterior toes united be- 

 yond the first joint. 



The Mexican Trogon, T. mexicanus, Sw., is the only 

 representative of its family in North America. It is ten 

 and three fourths inches long, the wing five and a quar- 

 ter inches ; the color golden green above, and on the 

 neck all round ; under parts carmine ; forehead, chin, 

 and side of the head black. 



CUCULID.E, OR CUCKOO FAMILY. This Family com- 

 prises birds with a compressed, gently curved, and gen- 

 erally lengthened bill, lengthened tarsi, rather short toes, 

 long and soft tail, with eight to twelve feathers. 



The Genus Crotophaga has the bill shorter than the 

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