RHINOCEROS-BIRD. RAVEN. 157 



their cheeks, considering it as a vast addition to beauty. 

 The women, in particular, are extravagantly fond of 

 this singular ornament. 



The toucan builds its nest in the hollows of trees, and 

 sits guarding the entrance with its great beak. If a 

 monkey, prompted by curiosity or any other motive, 

 presumes to pay a visit to its retreat, the intruder usually 

 meets with such an ungracious reception as compels him 

 to retire. 



THE RHINOCEROS-BIRD. 



According to some ornithologists, this bird belongs to 

 the family of ravens ; but Linnaeus makes it a species of 

 buceros. It is very ugly and ill-scented, and of superior 

 magnitude to the common raven. The head and neck 

 are very thick, the eyes are extremely large, and the 

 beak is bent like a bow, having a large horn-like substance 

 on its upper part, and turned up at the extremity. From 

 this last circumstance, the bird receives its name. 



The whole beak is of a yellowish colour below ; but, 

 on the upper part, towards the head, is of a beautiful 

 vivid red. The rhinoceros-bird delights in the same kind 

 of food as the raven, 



THE RAVEN. 



The raven is the largest of the crow kind, and dis- 

 tinguished from them not only by its size, but also by its 

 bill, which is more hooked. Its length is upwards of 

 two feet, and the expansion of its wings more than four. 

 The whole colour is a fine glossy black, tinged with 

 blue, except on the belly, where it is dusky. 



This bird is a native of every region, and appears to 

 be little influenced by climate. It can sustain, with equal 

 indifference, the heat of the equator and the cold of the 

 poles. The only perceptible effect is on its colour, 

 which, in the more northern regions, is sometimes a pure 

 *'hite. 



The raven is sufficiently docile : it may be instructed 



