THE HORNBILLS.* 



THE CHOWMJD HOENIULL. 



The FouKTH Family comprises the Buceridse, or the Hornbills, birds of extraordinary 

 appearance, confined to India and Africa. The species are characterised by IIumv 

 enormous bills, toothed along their edges, and frequently surmounted by an additional 

 horny structure, \\hicli bestows on them a very striking and peculiar physiognomy. 

 These excrescences vary considerably with the age of the individual, and are scarcely 

 perceptible in the very young birds. The hornbills may l)o said to resemble the toucans 

 in their heads, the crows in their general habits, and other of the feathered tribes in the 

 form of their feet. Their tongue is very small. These birds may be regarded as 

 omnivoroas, as they feed indifterently on fruits, mice, small birds, reptiles, and even 

 carcasses. Thej- exhibit an awkward and uncommon aspect while in the act of flying, in 

 consequence of the great size of their beaks and lengthened tails ; and altogetlier their 

 ai)pearance is extremely uncouth. Perhaps one of the most singular features in their 

 economy consists in their feeding greedily, and witlnuit injury, on tlie seeds of iiM.r 

 vomica. 



The large bills of these birds are not solid, but ni' a cancellated inti'i-nal structure. 

 As the process or appendage to this instrument does not cxliibit its genuine Ibrm 



Buceros Coio.natus, 



