THE MAGPIE. 225 



measures two : the head is completely disproportioned 

 to the body, but quite adequate to the size of the bill : 

 the nostrils are almost covered with feathers, which 

 made some Naturalists believe it was destitute of one 

 sense : the bill, though apparently so very formidable, 

 is of too thin a substance to do material harm ; and, 

 though it scoops out its nest in the hole of some tree, 

 yet the tongue is supposed to assist it in the work, and, 

 by pressing hard against the bill, gives it additional 

 strength. When seated in its retired abode, it seems 

 to threaten destruction to whatever should attempt to 

 invade its seat ; for its enormous bill is placed at the 

 entrance of the nest, to guard it from every attack 

 upon the young, notwithstanding which it may easily 

 be tamed ; and it is asserted that it will frequently form 

 its nest in the house. 



The upper chap of the toncan is of a bright yellow, 

 edged with a scarlet of a glossy hue ; the under is of 

 the same colour, with a lively purple at its base ; round 

 the eyes, on each side the head, is a bluish skin de- 

 void of feathers : the hinder parts of the neck, back, 

 wings, tail, and belly, are black ; but the under part 

 of the head, throat, and breast, are all of a delicate 

 white : between the white on the breast, and the black 

 on the belly, is a space of red feathers, in the form of 

 a new moon : and the toncan is as much valued for the 

 delicacy of its food, as for the plumage which forms 

 a part of the Indian's dress. 



OF THE WOODPECKER AND ITS VARIETIES. 



Of this bird there are many kinds; for they form 

 large colonies in the forests of every part of the world : 

 they differ in size, colour, and appearance ; but agree 

 in having a strong, angular, pointed bill, and a long 



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