364 A YEAR IN BRAZIL. 



" fruit is undoubtedly the chief food of the toucans, and it is in 

 reference to their mode of obtaining it that the use of their 

 uncouth bills is to be sought. Flowers and fruits on the crowns 

 of the large trees of South American forests grow principally 

 towards the end of slender twigs, which will not bear any con- 

 siderable weight ; " the length of the toucan's beak therefore 

 enables it to " reach and devour immense quantities of fruit while 

 seated, and thus its heavy body and gluttonous appetite form no 

 obstacles to the prosperity of the species. It is worthy of note 

 that the young of the toucan has a very much smaller beak than 

 the full-grown bird." 



Toucans can be easily tamed, and make interesting pets. 



Various remarks on birds will be found scattered throughout 

 my journal, but I will conclude this article by four short notes 

 from my diary. 



October 26, 1883. Found a nest with two eggs of the tico- 

 tico in short grass on a hillside. The eggs were in an advanced 

 condition, the bird being fully formed within. 



I came across many birds' nests with eggs till December. 



December 3. Found a remarkable nest among reeds in a 

 swamp ; the nest was shaped like a large globular teapot, and was 

 beautifully thatched with twigs. The entrance was through the 

 neck or spout, to continue the simile. By peeping down this 

 opening, I saw a softly lined bed, whereon were five whitish eggs. 

 The bird was on a neighbouring reed jealously watching my pro- 

 ceedings ; it was small, of a light reddish brown, with white throat 

 and chest, and a longish black beak. 



December 4. I saw quite an aviary on one small dead leafless 

 tree, near a swamp eight canaries, three orioles ( Cassicus persicus), 

 two scissor-tails (Milvulus tyrannus\ one John Clay (Furnarius 

 rufus), one brown and yellow woodpecker ( Celeus flavescens), and 

 two small black birds with white breasts. 



December 31. At 6.15 a.m., saw a lovely small humming-bird, 

 about an inch and a half long, feeding at the purple flowers of a 

 species of lavender ; his colour was brown, with a brilliant white 

 band of feathers on his breast. 



