THE PIE KIND. 



519 



ous, and hungry, than all the rest. The tou- 

 can, however, scoops out its nest in the hol- 

 low of some trees, leaving only a hole large 

 enough to go in and out at. There it sits, 

 with its great beak, guarding the entrance, 

 and if the monkey ventures to offer a visit of 

 curiosity, the toucan gives him such a wel- 

 come, that he presently thinks proper to pack 

 off", and is glad to escape with safety. 



This bird is only found in the warm climates 

 of South America, where it is in great request, 

 both for the delicacy of its flesh, which is ten- 

 der and nourishing, and for the beauty of its 

 plumage, particularly the feathers of the breast. 

 The skin of this part the Indians pluck off. 

 and, when dry, glue to their cheeks; and 

 this they consider as an irresistible addition 

 to their beauty. 



CHAPTER Cl. 



OF THE WOODPECKER, AND ITS AFFINITIES. 



WE now come to the numerous tribe of 

 Woodpeckers; a class easily distinguished 

 from all others, both for their peculiar forma- 

 tion, their method of procuring food, and their 

 manner of providing a place of safety for 

 their young. Indeed, no other class of birds 

 seems more immediately formed for the me- 

 thod of life they pursue, being fitted by na- 

 ture, at all points, for the peculiarity of their 

 condition. They live chiefly upon the insects 

 contained in the body of trees; and for this 

 purpose are furnished with a straight, hard, 

 strong, angular, and sharp bill, made for pier- 

 cing and boring. They have a tongue of a 

 very great length; round, ending in a sharp, 

 stiff, bony thorn, dentated on each side, to 

 strike ants and insects when dislodged from 

 their cells. Their legs are short and strong, 

 for the purposes of climbing. Their toes 

 stand two forward, and two backward ; which 

 is particularly serviceable in holding by the 

 branches of the trees. They have hard stiff 

 tails to lean upon when climbing. They feed 

 only upon insects, and want that intestine, 

 which anatomists call the cwcum; a circum- 

 stance peculiar to this tribe only. 



Of this bird there are many kinds, and many 

 varieties in each kind. They form large co- 

 lonies in the forests of every part of the world. 

 They differ in size, colour, and appearance; 

 and agree only in the marks above mentioned, 

 or in those habits which result from so pecu- 

 liar a conformation. Instead, therefore, of 

 descending into a minute discrimination of 



every species, let us take one for a pattern, 

 to which all the rest will be found to bear 

 the strongest affinity. Words can but fee- 

 bly describe the plumage of a bird; but it is 

 the province of history to enter into a detail 

 of every animal's pursuits and occupations. 

 The Green Woodspite, or Woodpecker, 

 is called the rain-fowl in some parts of the 

 country; because, when it makes a greater 

 noise than ordinary, it is supposed to foretel 

 rain. It is about the size of a jay ; the throat, 

 breast, and belly, are of a pale greenish co- 

 lour ; and the back, neck, and covert feathers 

 of the wings, are green. But the tongue of 

 this little animal makes its most distinguish- 

 ed characteristic, as it serves for its support 

 and defence. As was said above, the wood- 

 pecker feeds upon insects ; and particularly 

 on those which are lodged in the body of hol- 

 low or of rotting trees. The tongue is its in- 

 strument for killing and procuring this food ; 

 which cannot be found in great plenty. This 

 is round, ending in a stiff, sharp, bony tip, 

 dentated on both sides, like the beard of an 

 arrow; and this it can dart out three or four 

 inches from the bill, and draw in again at 

 pleasure. Its prey is thus transfixed, and 

 drawn into the bill, which, when swallowed, 

 the dart is again launched at fresh game. No- 

 thing has employed the attention of the cu- 

 rious in this part of anatomy, more than the 

 contrivance by which the tongue of this bird 

 performs its functions with such great celeri 

 ty. The tongue is drawn back into the bill 



