iy2 Birds of British Guiana 



R lack-headed Parrot Pionopsittacus caica. 



W'liite-breasted Parrot (seven- 

 coloured) Pionites melanocephalus. 

 *tAll-green Love-bird Psittacula modesta. 

 Guiana ,, ,, gtiianensis. 

 f Sparrow ,, ,, passerina, 



TOUCANS. 



Toucans or Bill-birds, as they are called in this colony, 

 are easily recognised by their enormous beaks. What particular 

 end these strange beaks serve were difficult to say. but it may 

 be remarked that toucans can pick off a small berry or fruit with 

 the greatest precision. The beaks, though so large, are of 

 feather weight, being composed within of a delicate net-work of 

 a light bony substance with air-spaces. They are generally 

 notched or serrated and the tongue, which is long and arrow- 

 like, has feather-like margins. In some species they are glossy 

 black with margins of delicate blue or yellow; in others, bril- 

 liant red, golden yellow, or faded green are the predominant 

 tones. The prevailing colours of the plumage are black or dark 

 green above, white throats or gorgets, with bands or markings 

 of gaudy reds and yellows. The orbits are bare, the skin being 

 delicately tinted with blue, red, or lilac. In sleep, the long 

 square tail is turned over the back and the great bill rested upon 

 it. The feet are zygodactyl. 



Toucans are forest birds and generally to be found on the 

 tops of trees. They feed on berries and fruit, with lizards and 

 and small mantmals, or birds, which they tear to pieces before 

 swallowing. They will fling the morsel in the air and catch it 

 with open mouth. They make their nests in holes of trees and 

 lay white eggs. They are easily tamed and make amusing pets. 

 Their cry is as strange as themselves: some croak with heads 

 thrown back, others yelp like a dog; their note of anger or 

 alarm is like a wooden rattle. They are awkward on the ground, 

 hopping in an ungainly fashion. Their flight is somewhat la- 

 Ijoured and undulating, the bill thrust forward. There are in 

 all sixt\- species, all confined to the Neo-Tropical regions. 



Tlie (ireat Toucan (while-breasted) RluDiiphaslos toco . 



Red-beaked Toucan. ,, erythrorhynchus. 



*tThe Kissi-Kissi Toucan ,, osculans. 



Saffron-breasted „ vitellinus. 



jTwo-coloured Toucan. ,, dicolorns. 



