CHAPTER XVI 



TROGONS, TOUCANS, AND WOODPECKERS 



Orders— TROGONES AND FICI 



What are the precise relationships of these birds no one has yet 

 decided, though probably all are akin. The Toucans and Wood- 

 peckers are certainly more nearly related one to another than to 

 the Trogons, which form a rather isolated group. 



The Trogons are represented by many species, some of which are 

 of surpassing beauty. Short-beaked, wide-mouthed, and short- 

 legged, these birds are tree-dwellers and fruit-eaters, and enjoy a 

 fairly wide distribution ; inasmuch as, while some are natives of 

 tropical America, others occur as resident species in Africa, a large 

 part of India, and the Malayan countries. In ancient times they 

 even occurred in Europe, since fossil remains have been found in 

 France. 



The Trogons are " yoke-footed " birds, like Cuckoos and Parrots 

 for instance ; but they differ therefrom, as well as from all other 

 known birds, in that it is the first and second, instead of the first and 

 fourth toes which are directed backwards. 



The Narina Trogon (Plate XIX. fig. 5) is an African species, 

 ranging from North-east Africa to Cape Colony and Angola. The 

 female is much duller in plumage. It is a very shy bird, keeping to 

 the recesses of the forest, and making a curious call, which has been 

 likened to the noise made by '' a poodle with a cold." 



The most beautiful of the Trogons is the Quetzal of South 

 America — from Guatemala to Veragua. Of a brilliant green and blue 

 above and gorgeous crimson below, this wonderful bird is still further 



105 14 



