S()2 BIRDS. 



One of them is remarkable for the figure of its tail; TV. temnu- 



rus, T., Col. 326; and another for the length of the tail coverts, 



which nearly equals that of the body, Tr. pavonius, T., Col. 372; 



Spix, 35. It is celebrated in the mythology of the Mexicans, and 



. much in request among them for ornamental purposes. 



Crotopiiaga, Lin. 



The Ani* are known by their bill, which is thick, compressed, arcu- 

 ated, entire, elevated, and surmounted with a vertical and trenchant crest. 



Two species are known, both from the hot and low districts of 

 America. Their tarsi are strong and elevated, the tail long and 

 rounded, and the plumage black. Crolophaga major, and Croto. 

 ani, Enl. 102, fig. 1 and 2, Vieill. Gal. 43. 



These birds feed on insects and grain, and. fly in flocks, several 

 couples laying their eggs, and even brooding over them in the same 

 nest, which, together with the branches that support it, is of a size 

 proportioned to the number of couples that have constructed it. 

 They are easily tamed, and may be even taught to speak, but their 

 flesh has a disagreeable odour. 



RAMPHASTOSf, Ll7l. 



The Toucans are distinguished from all other birds by their enormous 

 bill, which is almost as thick and as long as their body, light and cellular 

 internally, arcuated near the end, and irregularly indented along its edges; 

 and by their long and narrow tongue, fringed on both sides with barbs 

 like a quill. They are confined to the hot climates of America, where 

 they live in small flocks, feeding on fruit and insects; they also devour 

 other birds' eggs during the season of laying, and their newly-hatched 

 young. The structure of their bill compels them to swallow their food 

 ■without mastication. When they have seized it, they toss it into the air" 

 to swallow it with more facility. Their feet are short, and their wings 

 have but little extent; their tail is tolerably long. They build in the 

 hollows of trees. 



The Toucans, properly so called. 



Have a bill larger than their head; they are generally black, with 

 lively colours on the throat, breast, and rump. These parts of their 

 plumage were employed, formerly, in a kind of embroidery ;[. 



* Jni, Anno, names of these birds in Guiana and Brazil. Crotopiiaous was 

 formed by Brown (Nat. Hist. Jamaic), from the circumstance of the Ani in lliat 

 island flying on the cattle in pursuit of the Tabauus and the TicL Kroton {musca 

 canitia). 



f Toucan from their Brazilian name Ttica; Rhamphastos, a name invented by Lin- 

 naeus, from ramphos (bill), on account of the enormous size of that organ. 



X Ramphastos toco, Enl. 82, Vaill. 2; — car'nialus, Wagler, Edw. 329; — tvcanus, 

 Enl. 307; — piscivorus, L., or Callorlii/ncJms, Wagler, Edw. C4-; — maximus, Nob. Vaill. 

 Touc. pi. vi;—pecloralls, Sh. or Tiic'ai, Lich. Enl. 26d;—Aldrovandi, Sh. Alb. II, 25; 

 —crylhrorhynclios, Sh. Enl. 2(i2, Vaill. Z;—VaUantU, Wagler, Vaill.;*;— Tocarc?, Id. 

 '^'aill. 9; — vitelUnns, Id. Vaill. 17, Swains. ZooL 111. 66 j — dkolorus, Wagler, or 

 chloiorhynclioa, Temm. Vaill. 8. 



