HORNBILL. 



'73 



TABLE VIII. (See page 12.) 



ORDER 2. PASSERINE. TRIBE 2. SERR ATI ROSTRAL (Swated Bills], 

 so called from the jagged or tooth-like edges of the bilL 



This tribe consists of but three genera : i. The Plant-cutter ; 

 2. The Momots ; 3. The Hornbill ; all foreign birds, and their 

 habits but little known. 

 Of the last, namely, the 

 Hornbills, living speci- 

 mens are occasionally 

 taken ; and in the spring 

 of 1833, one was pro- 

 cured for the Zoological ^^^f^^^W 

 Gardens, in the Regent's 

 Park, London, but not- 

 withstanding every at- 

 tention, it did not live 



long. Of the seemingly The Crimson Horubul. 



deformed and monstrous bills of these birds, we have already 

 spoken. 



Of their use we are still much in the dark, but if, as may 

 be presumed, the horny substance is furnished with highly 

 sensible nerves, for the purpose of smelling or feeling, we can 

 more easily account for their instinctive discovery of snakes, 

 on the eggs of which, 

 as well as insects and 

 fish, they feed. On pass- 

 ing over a spot where 

 the snake has concealed 

 itself, though many feet 

 underground, the Horn- 

 bill immediately .begins 

 digging till it has uncovered it. They are found in Africa, 



but even there seem to be scarce, and are highly prized theii 



flesh being used as a remedy in many disorders, being placed 

 hot to the part affected. 



