THE TRonoxs. 311 



tliau to rest the body ; tlie bill in both is remarkably short ; the plumaj^e in both is 

 soft and loose ; both have the mouth defended by strong bristles ; and both are most 

 active duriufi; twilight. Here, then, is the point, if not of absolute junction, at least of 

 the strongest affinity yet discovered between the C(iprii/iii/iji(/(r and the Tnxjoiildw. The 

 South ^Vmerican Trogons are all green, with barred or black tails, tipped with white ; 

 in many instances the barring is lost after a few moultings, the tail becoming white ; the 

 space round the eyes is feathered. In the old wild species the general colour is brown, 

 one or two being very dull greenish. 



!Mr. Goidd's splendid " ^lonograph of the Trogonidai'" was finished in IcSoS ; and in 

 the introduction to that work he observes, that tliose birds, as their general structure and 

 tlicir habits sufficiently indicate, belong to the fissirostral tribe of the Iiisessore-i. 

 '■ Greatly insectivorous," says Mr. Gould, " they seize the flitting insect on the wing, 

 which their wide gape enables them to do with facility ; while their feeble tarsi and feet 

 are such as to cpudify them merely for resting on the branches, as a post of observation 

 whence to mark their prey as it passes, and to which, having given chase, to return. As 

 in all other groups, however, we shall find modifications of the type constituting the 

 ground of generic or subgeneric divisions. If not strictly elegant in form, the Trogons, 

 in the brilliancy of their plumage, are surpassed only by the TmcliiUda' : their splendour 

 amply compensates for every other defect. Denizens of the inter.tropical regions of the 

 Old and New World, they shroud their glories in the deep and gloomy recesses of 

 the forest, avoiding the light of da}- and the observation of man : dazzled by the 

 brightness of the meiidional sun, .^morning and evening twilight is the season of their 

 activity." 



The Trogons themsel\-es are described as solitary birds, extremely jealous of their 

 freedom, never freipienting Inhabited or ojjen tracts, and delighting In the sUenee of 

 deserts. " The interior of the thickest forests," says the describer, "is theli- chosen abode 

 for the entire year. They are sometimes seen on the summit of trees, but In general 

 they prefer the centre, where they remain a portion of the day without descending to the 

 ground, or even to the lower branches. Here they lie In ambush for the insects which 

 pass within reach, and seize them with address and dexterity. Their flight Is lively, 

 short, vertical, and imdulating. Thougli they thus conceal themselves In the thick 

 foliage, It Is not through distrust, for when they are In an open space, they may be 

 approached so nearlj' as to be struck witli a stick. They are rarely heard to utter any 

 cries, except during the season of reproduction, and then their voice Is strong, sonorous, 

 monotonous, and melancholy. They have many cries, from the sound of one of which 

 their name Is derived. All those whose habits are known nestle in the hollows of worm- 

 eaten trees, which they enlarge with their bills, so as to form a comfortable and roomy 

 residence. The number of eggs Is from two to four, and the young are born totally 

 naked, but their feathers begin to start two or three days after their birth. The occupa- 

 tion of the male during incubation consists In watching for the safety of his companion, 

 bringing her food, and amusing her with a song, which, though we should call It insipid, 

 is to her without doubt the exi^resslon of sensibility. Some of the Couroucouls express 

 the .syllable pio, repeated many times in succession, with a powerful yet plaintive tone. 

 Their accent almost reminds one of the wadiiigs of a child who has lost its wa}^, and it Is 

 thus that they cry to each other amidst the silence of the forests. As soon as the young 

 are able to provide for themselves, they separate from their parents to enjoy that solitude 

 and isolation which appear to constitute the supreme haj^plness of the sfiecles. Their 

 aliments are composed of larvir, small worms, caterpillars, coleoptera, and berries, which 

 they swallow entire. Tlie male at various ages, the female, and the young, dift'er In their 

 plumage, which has gl\en rise to the Institution of more species than are really iu 

 existence." 



