t T H E P I E K I N D- 



along the top of the upper chip, the under-fide being round alfo; the 

 whole bill extremely (light, and little thicker than parchment. The 

 upper chap is of a bright yellow, except on each fide, which is a fine 

 fcarlet; as is alfo the lower chap, except at the bafe, whch is purple. 

 Between the head and ihe bill is a black line of fcparation all round the 

 bafe of the bill j in the upper part of which the noftrils are placed, and 

 are almoft covered with feathers. Round the eyes, on each fide the 

 head, is a fpace of bluifli fkin, void of feathers, above which the head 

 is black, except a white fpot on each fide joining to the bafe of the up- 

 per chap. The hinder part of the neck, the back, wings, tail, belly, 

 and thighs, are black. The under fide of the head, throat, and the be- 

 ginning of the bread, white. Between the white on the bread, and the 

 black on the belly, is a fpace of red feathers, in the form of a new moon, 

 with- its horns upwards. The legs, feet and claws, are of an a(h-co- 

 loLir ; and the toes ftand like thofe of parrots, two before, and two 

 behind. 



Is harmlefs and gentle, eafily made tame, even to fit and hatch in 

 houfes. Feeds chiefly on pepper, which it devours greedily, gorging 

 itfelf fo much, that it voids^it crude and unconcodted : and this the na- 

 tives prefer. Grapes, being plucked off fingly, and thrown into the 

 air, it will dexteroufly catch before they fall to the ground. Its bill be- 

 ing very light, and fo thin, as eafily to bend by a flight prcflure with the 

 fingers, has little ftrength, nor can it peck or ftrike fmartly there- 

 with. Its tongue feems to afllft its -efForts; is long, thin and flat, and 

 often extends five or fix inches from the bill j of a flefli colour, remark- 

 ably fringed on each fide with very fmall filaments, exaftly refembling a 

 feather; and is laid to be truly a feather. 



Builds its neft in holes of trees, which have been previoufly fcooped by 

 fome ftronger bill ; lays two eggs, leaving only a hole large enough to go 

 in and out at. There it fits, with its great beak, guarding the entrance. 

 Found in the warm climates of South America, where ic is in great re- 

 queft, for the delicacy of its flefli, and the beauty of its plumage. Is 

 erratic, go in troops of eight or ten, fly badly, frequent marflies where 

 the fofter fruits grow; though lively they feem heavy, and though adive 

 awkward, becaufe of the prodigious overbalance of their bill. They are fo 

 fearful of cold, that they make a kind of warm bed of herbs, &c. 

 for the nights, in the hottcft climates. There are feveral varieties. 



The Aracari is a toucan, fmaller, of iefs beak, and its fubftance 

 harder. 



OF 



