478 Mr. Vigors's Sketches in OrnithologT/, 



son*s figure as representing his own tucanus^ we may so far 

 modify his description of the species as to make it accord with 

 that of M. i3risson. And we might also modify the figure 

 aad description of M. Brisson's bird, so as to make it agree in 

 general with my R. Ariel. But still there are one or two 

 particulars in which these two birds disagree, which cannot at 

 once be reconciled. In my bird the throat and upper part of 

 the breast are of an uniform orange buff colour, while in R, tuca- 

 nus the sides are described as white : and both Linnaeus himself 

 and M. Brisson, as well as the later writers who have described 

 the latter species from actual specimens, agree in assigning it a 

 yellow uropi/gium, while that of the bird now before us, is of a 

 bright scarlet. A considerable difference may also be traced in 

 the bills of these birds ; although from mine being a live bird and 

 the colours of the bill consequently vivid, and the descriptions to 

 which I refer being probably taken from faded specimens, no stress 

 should be laid on this point. The difference in these characters 

 may be said, it is true, to be the mere effect of age or accident : 

 it may be equally conjectured to be the indication of a difference 

 in sex. But we have hitherto no proof of such a fact : and until 

 this variation has actually been ascertained to obtain in the species, 

 I consider it, as I have already observed, more consistent with 

 the accuracy of science, to keep the birds distinct in which so 

 marked a difference is displayed.* 



With respect to the manners of my bird, I can add but little to 

 the very accurate and interesting account of those of a species 

 nearly allied to it, which has appeared in a preceding number of 

 this Journal. + I have not allowed it to be indulged in that dis- 

 position to animal food, which so strikingly belongs to this family. 

 I find in fact that it thrives sufficiently well upon a vegetable diet, 

 and I fear that if it should once be allowed any other, it would 

 be difficult to restrain its inclination for it within moderate limits. 

 Eggs are the only animal food with which it has been supplied 



* Since the above observations were sent to press, I have had an opportu- 

 nity of inspecting M. Vieillot's " Galerie des Oiseaux," in which I perceive 

 my bird is figured under the name of Le Toucan du Para. 



+ Vol. l.p. 484, 



