HOMES OF TOUCANS 



197 



FIG. 53. EGGS OF RED-BILLED TOUCAN 

 Natural size. 



we had found the vaguely reputed two eggs, one punctured 

 in two places, the other quite perfect. 



Blisters, rain, ant stings, tired muscles, all became sub- 

 conscious. We trudged happily home, forgetful of the three 

 hours of toil in the realization of one of the chiefest of our 

 desires, jubilant with the thrill of having solved one of the 

 little mysteries of the earth, a mystery of such slight moment 

 to practical humanity at large, but so satisfying to the seeker 

 of la verite vraie. 



When we came to examine our treasures, we found the 

 eggs to be white or pinkish white, the tint being that of the 

 contents showing through the shell. They were somewhat 

 stained by contact with the mold and the acid moisture from 

 the decayed w(K:»d. The small end was bhint, the general 

 shape being that of a diminutive hen's egg. The two were 

 identical in measurement, each being 37 by 27 millimetres. 

 They contained living embryos of about a week old. The 

 shell was without gloss and sparsely covered with small pits. 

 Slight but plainly visible grooves extended down the central 

 portion of the shell, irregular lines connecting many of the 

 pits. To the naked eye the lines showed as very faint color- 

 less striations, and required a close glance to detect. 



