^4C, 



THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



seized a morsel, he throws it into the air and lets it fall into 

 liis throat ; when drinkin^^^, he dips the point of his mandibles 

 into the water, fills them by a powerful inspiration, and then 

 throws back the head by starts. The tongue is also of a very 

 singular form, being narrow and elongated, and laterally barbed 

 like a feather. The Toucan builds its nest in hollow trees, 

 preferring those cavities which can only be entered by a small 

 aperture. According to some writers it makes the burrow for 

 itself, using the huge beak as its tool. Most probably, how- 



<''<!''!^^?^'*mfw'///w/ 



ever, it only adapts and slightly alters the interior of the hollow 

 so as to make it more convenient for its purpose. 



To paint the Humming-bird with colours worthy of its 

 beauty, would be a task as difficult as to fix on canvas the 

 glowing tints of the rainbow, or the glories of the setting sun. 

 Unrivalled in the metallic brilliancy of its plumage, it may 

 truly be called the bird of paradise ; and had it existed in the 

 old world it would no doubt have claimed the title instead of 

 the splendid bird which has now the honour to bear it. See 

 with what lightning speed it darts from flower to flower ; now 



