TEOGONS. 157 



example. Tlie ilotmots are among the number of those creatures which have perplexed 

 the systematic naturalist, and their position in the kingdom of birds is even yet subject to 

 doubt. On account of their large and deeply serrated mandibles, their long bearded 

 tongue, and the similarity of some of their habits, they have been placed close to the 

 toucans, to which birds they bear no small resemblance. Their feet, however, are of 

 entirely different construction ; and instead of congregating in flocks like the toucans, they 

 lead solitary lives in the forest depths. In these birds the tail is wedge-shaped, and in 

 several of the species the two central feathers are remarkable for a naked space before 

 their termination. 



The Brazilian Motmot is, like the other species of the same genus, a very solitary 

 bird, being seldom seen except by those who care to penetrate into the deepest recesses of 

 the tropical forests. In its habits, it is not at all unlike the common fly-catcher of 

 England, delighting to sit motionless upon a branch that overlooks one of the open spaces 

 that are found in all forests, or that commands a view of a path made by man or beast. 

 On its perch it remains as still as if carved in wood, and sits apparently without thought 

 or sensation until a tempting insect flies within easy reach. It then launches itself upon 

 its prey, catches the insect in its bill, and returning to its perch, settles down again into 

 its former state of languid tranquillity. The Motmot is not formed for long or active 

 flight, as its wings are short and rounded, and the plumage, especially about the head, 

 very loosely set. 



Some writers say that the Motmots do not confine themselves to such small prey as 

 insects, but that they steal young birds out of their nests, and are also in the habit of 

 eating eggs. 



All the Motmots are about the size of the common magpie, and are remarkably 

 handsome birds, their plumage being tinted with green, blue, scarlet, and other brilliant 

 hues. The Brazilian Slotmot is bright gi-een on the upper parts of the body, excepting a 

 spot of velvety-black upon the head, edged with green behind. The primary feathers 

 are blue, and the under portions are green, " shot " with crimson, and a black spot is found 

 on the breast. 



TEOGONS. 



Foe our systematic knowledge of the magnificent tribe of the Trogons we are almost 

 wholly indebted to Mi-. Gould, who by the most persevering labour and the most careful 

 iu^■estigations has reduced to order this most perplexing group of birds, and brought 

 into one volume a mass of information that is rarely found in similar compass. There are 

 few gi-oups of birds which are more attractive to the eye than the Trogons, with all their 

 glowing hues of carmine, orange, green, and gold ; and few there are which presented 

 greater difficulties to the ornithologist until their various characteristics were thorougldy 

 sifted and compared together. The two sexes are so diflerent from each other, both in the 

 colour and shape of the feathers, that they would hardly be recognisable as belonging to 

 a single species, and even the young bird is very differently coloured from his older 

 relatives. 



These beautiful birds are found in the Old and the New Worlds, those which inhabit 

 the latter locality being easily distinguishable by their deeply barred tails. Those of the 

 Old World are generally found in Ceylon, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo, while ouly a single 

 species, the Narina Trogon, is as yet known to inhabit Africa. The Trogons are mostly 

 insect-eaters, taking their prey easily by means of their widely-opening mouths, and 

 making no use of their slender feet and claws in the capture of their active enemy. 

 Although gifted with such brilliant coloiulng, they are but seldom seen, for they prefer 

 the deep forest to tlie more open grounds, and remain seftted among the dense foliage of 

 some chosen tree as long as the sun remains above the horizon. 



