436 



HORNBILL 



been suggested that they have some affinity with the Upupidee 

 (Hoopoe), but even if that \\e,\y be good the affinity cannot be very 

 near. Their supposed alliance to the Rhamphastidm (Toucan) rests 

 only on the apparent similarity presented by the enormous beak, 

 and is contradicted by important structural characters. In many of 

 their habits, so far as these are known, all Hornbills seem to Vje 

 much alike, and though the modification in the form of the beak, 



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dr^> 



HoMRAi OR Great Indian Hornbill (Dichoceros hkorni^). Alter Tickell's drawing in the 



Zoological Society's library. 



and the presence or absence of the extraordinary excrescence,^ 

 whence their name is derived, causes great diversity of aspect 

 among them, the possession of prominent eyelashes (not a common 



^ Buffon, as was his niauner, enlarges on tlie cruel injustice done to these 

 birds by Nature in encumbering them with this deformity, which he declares 

 must hinder them from getting their food with ease. The only corroboration his 

 perverted view receives is afforded by the observed fact that Hornbills, in cap- 

 tivity at any rate, never have any fat about them. 



