504 BIRDS OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA — PART 2 



line for 2 birds attributed to "Dr. Von Frantzius." The first of these 

 2 is the type. It seems appropriate to accept the type locality "as 

 near San Jose" as marked on the label. 



Family RAMPHASTIDAE : Toucans, Tucanes 



This family of about 40 species is found in tropical America from 

 southern Mexico to northern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern 

 Brazil. Six of the group are represented in the forests of Panama. 

 All are marked by large bills, that appear oversized compared to 

 those of most other species, in some being especially long and swollen. 

 The structure is peculiar as in spite of size it is light in weight. 

 The thin shell of bone that gives the expanded form is supported 

 by series of thin, narrow struts and cancellous bony tissue that afford 

 it support without being heavy. The horny outer covering in most 

 is deeply pigmented, striking in brilliant color or in pattern. There 

 have been numerous lengthy discussions to explain this curious 

 development, which, simply enough, seems merely to be one strangely 

 ornamental that is not inconvenient or detrimental to the activities 

 of those that possess it, and, therefore, a detail incidental in their 

 history in evolution. 



Toucans are forest inhabitants most common in the tropical low- 

 lands, but with species adapted to life in the cooler air of mountain 

 woodlands. Primarily they are fruit and berry eaters, but are not 

 strictly vegetarian as they take large insects, small reptiles, and 

 amphibians. They also relish eggs and young of other birds, possibly 

 to a greater extent than recorded observations indicate. 



The life history of very few species is known as yet in detail, for 

 study of them is difficult in the heavy cover where toucans live. 

 Smaller species are known to sleep, often several together, in hollows 

 in trees, and to nest in similar locations. It is supposed that this 

 may be true with others. The caudal vertebrae in all are flexible, so 

 that in sleeping posture the tail is thrown upward flat against the 

 back to cover the head and bill that are turned sidewise among the 

 dorsal feathers. 



The group is one that is assumed to have had its origin in South 

 America during the period when that continent was isolated from 

 more northern land connections. On this basis the species of Central 

 America are presumed to have moved northward during late Pliocene 

 and Pleistocene time. It is interesting that in Panama none have 

 been established on Isla Coiba or in the larger islands of the 



