454 CORACIIFORMES CHAP. 
open backwards behind the bill-sheath in Rhamphastus, upwards 
or sideways near the hind part of the culmen in the other genera ; 
the syrinx is tracheo-bronchial; the aftershaft is rudimentary or 
absent ; and neither adults nor nestlings shew any down. 
The coloration of the long, loose plumage, and of the beak and 
naked orbits,is most brilliant andvaried; the females are smaller and 
duller than the males, and quite unlike them in Selenidera ; while 
the young resemble the former, but have softer and differently- 
tinted bills. The feet are grey or green. Pteroglossus beauharnaist 
has the black shafts of the crown-feathers dilated and coalescent 
with the barbs, producing an appearance like curls of horn. 
Toucans, except just after moulting, are shy and restless; they 
are more or less gregarious, and small flocks gather to feed or 
bathe in the morning or evening; at noon they sit motionless on 
some lofty tree, but at other times may be seen jumping about 
the branches. At night they roost with the tail thrown forward 
upon the back, and the head turned to meet it. Their flight 
is easy, graceful, and direct, accompanied by occasional noisy flaps 
of the wing, the bill being carried horizontally ; they rarely seek 
the ground, where they hop about obliquely in awkward fashion. 
statement that they destroy small birds, and devour both eggs and 
young, is possibly quite correct, as in captivity they exhibit 
ereat excitement and delight when furnished with meat, mice, 
reptiles, and so forth,’ tearing the food to pieces and masticating 
it with their serrated mandibles. Should, however, the object be 
small, they throw back the head and swallow it at a gulp; while a 
curious habit has been observed of regurgitating the substances for 
further mastication. Caterpillars, ants, and the like are added to 
the diet in the breeding season. When feeding in company, Tou- 
cans, like Rooks, post a sentinel, whose harsh, chattering scream can 
be heard for at least a mile: they are especially noisy in the morn- 
ing and evening, or in wet weather. The unmelodious cry seems to 
rary considerably in the different species; being described as a 
croak, a hoarse note, a clear yelp, or a jarring sound like that of 
a Mistletoe Thrush. Owls and diurnal Birds of prey are often 
surrounded by a noisy mob of Toucans, which jerk their tails as they 
follow. Two oval and somewhat glossy white eggs are deposited 
in hollow limbs of tall trees. These birds are frequently eaten by 
’ See Broderip, Zool. Journ. i. 1825, p. 484; Vigors, op. cit. ii. 1826, pp. 466-483. 
