WOODPECKERS. 449 
by their unsociable nature and stolid dispositions, and by the 
solitary lives they pass in the wildest parts of woods. Like them, 
also, they only go out in the morning and evening to seek the 
insects and caterpillars which form their principal nourishment. The 
presence of man does not frighten them ; and this confidence often 
leads to their death, for they are persistently pursued for their flesh, 
which is said to be excellent, and also for their very beautiful 
feathers. Their name Couroucous arises from the cry which they 
utter at breeding-times. ‘They inhabit the inter-tropical regions of 
both continents. The most 
remarkable species is the 
Resplendent Trogon (Ca- 
lurus resplendens, Fig. 174), 
indigenous to Mexico and 
Brazil. The plumage of 
this bird is of a magnificent 
emerald green frosted with 
gold; its head is sur- 
mounted by a beautiful tuft 
of the same colour. The 
daughters of the Caciques 
in the New World formerly 
used its feathers in their 
adornment. At the present 
time creoles employ them 
forthe same purpose. The 
most common species is 
the Cuban Trogon (Priote/us 
femnurus, Fig. 175). 
Turacos or Plantain- 
eaters (AZusophagide), are African birds, of which the general forms 
bear some analogy to Curassows. ‘They live in forests, and perch 
upon the highest branches of trees: their flight is heavy and awk- 
ward, 
Fig. 175.—Cuban Trogon. 
WOODPECKERS. 
The Birds which compose this family are characterised by a rather 
long, conical, pointed beak, and by a very extensible tongue. They 
form two genera, Woodpeckers and Wry-necks, 
Woodpeckers excel in the art of climbing, but they do not 
perform it in the same manner as Parrots. They accomplish their 
Q. 
