STRANGE BIRDS 157 



bill is lightly constructed, although it is strong. 

 Its hollow shell holds, with much room to spare, 

 a long slender tongue. 



There is a great difference of opinion as to the 

 usefulness of his tremendous bill to the* toucan. 

 It can drive a slashing blow and perhaps it is a 

 good weapon to defend the toucan's nest in a 

 hole in a tree from monkeys and iguanas looking 

 for young birds and bird eggs. Such a bill could 

 also cut out huge bites from the tropical fruits 

 on which the toucan chiefly feeds, and it is said 

 to be used to excellent advantage for reaching 

 into cracks and corners after bugs when the bird 

 has a taste for animal food. Perhaps it is safest 



After photograph by Beebe 



Fig. 68. Toucan 



to say that the toucan's beak, like some people's 

 noses, just grew that way, and both have nothing 

 to do but make the best of it. 



