484 



TOUCANS. 



their necks downwards in an inquisitive manner, to ascertain 

 what foe is below; and on espying the least movement among 

 the foliage, fly off" to a distance. 



Sometimes the whole flock, including the sentinel, set up 

 simultaneously a deafening loud yell, which can be heard a 

 mile ofl", and serves to lead the hunter to their haunts. They 

 are said also to mob any strange bird which gets among them, 

 surrounding it, and shrieking at it in whichever way it turns ; 

 so that it sees itself surrounded on all sides by huge snapping 



bills, and long tails bobljing 

 regularly up and down with 

 threatening gestures, till it is 

 seized by its foes or manages 

 to make its escape. 



It seems wonderful at first 

 sight that any creature should 

 be encumbered with so huge 

 a beak ; but the toucan knows 

 well how to use it. Though of 

 great size, it is of light struc- 

 ture, and seriated at the edges. In some species it attains 

 to a length of seven inches, and a width of more than two 

 inches. It assists the bird in climbing the branches of the 

 trees on which he lives, and from which he never willingly 

 descends to the ground. It enables him to seize the large 

 fruits and small birds which serve him for food ; and enables 

 him to chew the cud — his hu^^e tooth-bill beino- useful in 



o o 



holdino; and remasticatino; the food. 



As the flowers and fruits which crown the large trees of 

 the forest gTOW principally towards the end of slender twigs, 

 which would not bear his weight ; and as he has a heavy 



THE TOUCAN. 



