scANSOiiiiC. 337 



One of them is remarkable for the figure of its tail; Tr. tem- 

 nurus, T., Col., 326j and another for the length of . the tail co- 

 verts, which nearly equals that of the body, TV. pavonius, T., 

 Col, 372; Spix, 35. It is celebrated in the mythology of the 

 Mexicans, and much in request among them for ornamental 

 purposes. 



Crotophaga, Lin. 



The Ani(l) are known by their beak, which is thick, compressed, 

 arcuated, entire, elevated, and surmounted with a vertical and 

 trenchant crest. 



Two species are known, both from the hot and low districts 

 of America. Their tarsi are strong and elevated, the tail long 

 and rounded, and the plumage black. Crotoj)haga majors and 

 Croto. ani, Enl. 102, fig. 1 and 2, Vieill. Gal. 43. 



These birds feed on insects and grain, and live in flocks, seve- 

 ral couples laying their eggs, and even brooding over them in 

 the same nest, which, together with the branches that support 

 it, is of a size proportioned to the number of couples that have 

 constructed it. They are easily tamed, and may be taught to 

 speak, but their flesh has a disagreeable odour. 



Ramphastos, Lin. (2) 



The Toucans are easily distinguished from all other birds by their' 

 enormous beak, which is almost as thick and as long as their body, 

 light and cellular internally, arcuated near the end, and irregularly 

 indented along its edges; and by their long, narrow, and ciliated 

 tongue. They are confined to the hot climates of America, where 

 they live in small flocks, feeding on fruit and insects; they also de- 

 vour other birds' eggs, and their callow offspring. The structure 

 of their beak compels them to swallow their food without mastica- 

 tion. When they have seized it, they toss it into the air to swallow 

 it with more facility. Their feet are short, and their wings have 



Col.321; T. Temminckii, Vaill. 12; In Africa, TV. narina, Vaill. Afr. 228, 229, 

 and Cour. 10 and 11. 



We may be allowed to doubt if the Trogon maculatus. Brown. Ill- XHI, be a 

 ti'ue Couroucou. 



(1) ^ni, Anno, names of these birds in Guiana and Bi'azil. Crotophagtjs was 

 formed by Brown (Nat. Hist. Jamaic.), from tlie circumstance of the Ani in that 

 island flying on the cattle in pursuit of the Tabanus and the Tick. Kgorov, musca 

 canina. 



(2) Toucan from their Brazilian name Tuca,- Rhampliastos, a name invented by 

 Linnaeus, fi'om gufxc^o;, beak, on account of the enormous size of that organ. 



Vol. L 2 S 



