The Toucan. 



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THE TOUCAN, (Wiamphastos tucanus,} 



Is a native of South America, very conspicuous for the 

 magnitude and shape of its bill ; which, in some of the 

 species, is nearly as long and as large as the body itself. 

 The length of its body is about eighteen inches (the size 

 of the magpie) ; the head is large and strong, and the 

 neck short, in order the more easily to support the bulk 

 of such a beak. The head, neck, and wings are black ; 

 the breast of a most lovely orange saffron colour ; the 

 lower part of the body and the thighs are vermilion; 

 the tail black. Mr. Gould's specimen represents a nar- 

 row straw-coloured belt across the centre of the breast, 

 dividing the orange tint from the vermilion. One pf 

 these birds that was kept in a cage was very fond of 

 fruit, which it held for some time in its beak, touching 

 it with great delight with the tip of its feathery tongue, 

 and then tossing it into its throat by a sudden upright 

 jerk ; it also fed on small birds, insects, caterpillars, &c. 



