470 RAMPHASTID^E, OR TOUCANS. PICIDJ5. 



423. The family of RAMPHASTID^, or Toucans, is distin- 

 guished by the very large, light, cellular bill, which is irregularly 

 notched at the edge; and by the peculiar long, feather-like 

 tongue. The beak is used by these Birds for a sort of masti- 



FIG. 265. BILL OP TOUCAN. 



cation ; the food being crushed between the mandibles in several 

 different directions, before it is swallowed; and being then 

 tossed up into the air, and caught in its descent. The Toucans 

 live on fruit, small birds, and eggs ; they may be kept in confine- 

 ment upon a vegetable diet only ; but they show great excite- 

 ment when a small bird is presented to them. They are only 

 found in tropical America, where they live retired in the deep 

 forests, mostly in small companies. Their flight is straight but 

 laborious ; among the branches of trees, however, their move- 

 ments are easy and active. Their voice is harsh ; its only sound 

 resembling the caw of a Rook, abruptly terminated. 



424. The PTCID.E, or Woodpeckers, have a wedge-shaped bill, 

 with the hard points and the sides compressed near the tip ; the 

 tail is usually lengthened and rigid, serving to support the Bird, 

 as in the Creepers ; in other species, however, it is short and 

 rounded. They search the trunks and branches of trees, especially 

 those which are decayed, for insects and larvas ; to procure which, 

 they drive off chips from the bark, or dig into the wood. When 

 thus engaged, they cling to the trunk or branch by their strong, 

 curved, and finely-pointed cawls ; and support themselves by 

 resting on their stiff tails. When the aperture has been made 

 with the bill, the insect or larva is withdrawn by means of the 

 extensible tongue ( 343) ; which is barbed, towards its tip, with 

 small but strong filaments, that act like the teeth of a rake, 



