MALABAR HORNBILL. 133 



peculiar uses of which are hitherto unknown, unless, as 

 some writers have supposed, it is employed in bruising 

 and detaching the bark of trees, for the purpose of 

 enabling the bird to feed on the insects which are 

 concealed beneath. This species, which is an inhabitant 

 of Abyssinia, was first discovered by Mr. Bruce. He 

 states, that it feeds chiefly on beetles, builds in large, 

 bushy trees, generally in the neighbourhood of old build- 

 ings, and produces a numerous brood of young ones. It 

 has a rank and putrid smell, runs much upon the ground, 

 but, when raised, flies strongly, and to a considerable 

 distance. 



The plumage is black. The orbits of the eyes, cheeks, 

 temples, chin, and upper part of the throat, are covered 

 with naked, warty flesh, of a light-blue colour, which 

 becomes red when the bird is irritated. The bill is black, 

 with white edges. The horny protuberance has a flattened 

 semicircular surface. The length of the Abyssinian 

 Hornbill is about three feet ten inches. 



Malabar Hornbill. The inhabitants of the island of 

 Ceylon keep these birds tame in their houses, for the 

 purpose of devouring mice and other vermin, which they 

 pursue with as much eagerness as cats do with us. In a 

 wild state they inhabit the forests of India, and of several 

 of the large islands in the Indian Seas, roosting on the 

 loftiest trees, and forming their nests in the decayed and 

 worm-eaten holes of the trunks. The females lay four or 

 five eggs; and it is said that the young ones do not 

 attain their full growth and plumage until they are two 

 years old. These birds feed on small quadrupeds, on 

 insects, lizards, and sometimes on frogs. They are easily 

 rendered tame. 



This is a somewhat smaller species than the last. Its 



