COKACIDJC. 277 



Tlie Motmots are distinguislied from tlie Todies 

 by having the margins of the mandibles distinctly 

 serrated for a considerable portion of their length ; 

 they also possess a pectinated tongue. Their tail is 

 long, and the shafts of the two middle feathers, 

 which are the longest, are entirely bare of barbs for 

 a considerable portion of their length ; the base is 

 furnished with barbs, then comes the bare portion, 

 and the tip again presents the ordinary appearance 

 of a feather. 



The Motmots are peculiar to the tropical parts of 

 America, and to some of the West India islands. 

 They seem to prefer the deep shade of the forests, 

 or the dark recesses of buildings. They are usually 

 seen perched on a branch or on some projection, 

 keeping their head drawn in between the shoulders, 

 with a peculiarly solemn expression, uttering from 

 time to time a melancholy croak. Early in the 

 morning, and in the dusk of the evening, they 

 appear more lively, watching for any passing insect 

 that may approach sufficiently near, upon which they 

 dart with a short flight. They likewise feed on 

 frogs, lizards, and small snakes ; these are sei^^ed 

 with the point of the bill, and then, by a toss of the 

 head, jerked into the throat and swallowed. The 

 eggs of birds also form a poi'tion of their food. The 

 nest of one species is stated by Sir W. Jardiue to 

 have been found at the end of a long gallery exca- 

 vated in a bank of mud, sixd punning for five feet in 

 a direct line into the ground, terminating in another 

 gallery of similar length placed at an angle with the 

 first. The end of this long passage was enlarged, 

 and in the enlargement were three young Motmots, 

 huddled up on the top of a moving heap of maggots, 

 mixed with the remains of beetles and other insects. 

 It is probable that the barbs of the tail feathers of 

 the old birds may be worn away by friction against 

 the walls of the narrow tunnel leading to their nest. 

 Occasionally they will build in the deserted burrow 

 of a Cavy or Armadillo. 



