140 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Delicacy of its flesh Beautiful plumage. 



merous train of monkies, still more prying, mis- 

 chievous, and hungry, than all the rest. The 

 toucan, however, sits in his hole, defending the 

 entrance with its great beak ; and if the monkey 

 venture to offer a visit of curiosity, the toucan 

 gives him such a welcome, that he is soon glad 

 to escape with safety. 



The toucan is a native of Guiana and Brasil, 

 and is said to be in great request in South Ame- 

 rica ; both from the delicacy of its flesh, and on 

 account of the beauty of its plumage, partic*u- 

 larly the feathers of the breast. The skin of this 

 part the Indians pkck off, and, when dry, glue 

 to their cheeks : they consider these an irresisti- 

 ble addition to their beauty. The female lays 

 two eggs, and it is probable, they have more 

 than one brood in the year. 



In several parts of South America these birds 

 have the name of preacher toucan; from the 

 habit of having one of this flock perched at the 

 top of a tree, above its companions, while they 

 are asleep. This makes a continued noise resem- 

 bling ill-articulated sounds, moving its head dur- 

 ing the time to the right and left, in order, it is 

 said, to deter birds of prey from seizing on them. 

 They generally feed on fruits, and are continually 

 moving from place to place in quest of food, 

 going northward or southward as the fruits ripen. 



