2X2 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



Ill the Preacher Toucan, the parts which are black in the Brazilian have a green- 

 ish tinge ; the lower part of the back and rump are tinged with ashen gray ; the 

 breast is a deep orange ; the belly, sides, thighs, and lower tail-coverts, are bright 

 red ; the feet and claws are black. He is a native of Brazil and Guiana. 



All these varieties, as seen in the dense tropical forests of deep-green verdure, 

 which furnish charming settings for their beautiful colors, have plumage which 

 shines with glorious tints of lustrous green or azure, rosy red, delicate pink, and 

 golden yellow. They seem, when quietly sitting in the forest, to devote a good 

 deal of time to the contemplation of their personal charms ; and. in extenuation of 

 this weakness, they may plead high examples. No doubt, they are as handsome as 

 " fine feathers " can make them. 



When flying, the Toucans' large beaks give them an awkward appearance ; but 

 they show no awkwardness in making use of them. Alighting on a tree, they 

 choose one of their number to act as sentinel ; and he proves his vigilance by con- 

 stantly repeating the loud cry u Tucano." The others disperse about the branches, 

 climbing by aid of their beaks, and seizing the fruit. "While they are feeding, they 

 assiduously maintain a hoarse clatter ; and at intervals they join their sentry in a 

 screaming concert, which can be heard a mile off. Their hunger satisfied, they 

 lumber away into the deeper shades of the forests, and give themselves up to a 

 tranquil siesta. When trained, they may be taught many tricks ; and specimens 

 which I have seen would obey the voice of the master, and march and countermarch 

 at command. 



The Preacher Toucan receives his name from his quite constant cries. These 

 birds seem to suppose their beauty can be increased by trimming the tail, which 

 undergoes the same operation as our hair in a barber's shop, only with this differ- 

 ence, that each bird uses his own beak, which is serrated, in lieu of a pair of 

 scissors. Both male and female attempt to beautify their tails in this manner. 



The young birds are easily trained and reared, for they will eat any thing which 

 is given them, fruits, bread, flesh, or fish. They seize the morsels with the point 

 of the beak, toss them up in the air, and, opening the beak wide, receive them down 

 in the gullet. 



A Toucan dinner, given by a fashionable resident of Rio Janeiro, comprised in 

 its menu only vegetables, fruits, and drinks, in addition to the eight courses of 

 Toucan, commencing with Toucan soup, and ending with a melting pie made from 

 the same delicate bird. 



The menu was inscribed in illuminated text on gorgeous mandibles of the Tou- 

 can, and at each guest's place his name was set in rose diamonds in the mandible. 



Americans who desire to give a most novel and expensive entertainment have 

 only to invite the guests, and duplicate the above menu. 



One or two Toucans may be found occasionally in the shops in New York. 

 They feed, when caged, on the prepared food, bananas, and oranges, and are very 

 hardy, and free from diseases. 



