SCANSORES. 307 



Trogon* 



a splendid tribe from the tropical regions of Ame- 

 rica, Africa, and Asia. Their plumage is often 

 adorned with resplendent metallic hues, and the 

 tail is much lengthened. " They are not climbing 

 birds, nor are they in the least organized for that 

 purpose ; they live in the deepest and most gloomy 

 shades during day, where they sit almost motion- 

 less on a dead branch. During the morning and 

 evening they are more active; at these times they 

 go into the open parts of the forest, and, taking a 

 shady station, dart upon winged insects, particularly 

 hard-coated beetles ; at other times they feed upon 

 fruits, especially on the rich purple berries of the 

 different Melastoma, at which they invariably dart, 

 precisely the same as if they were insects capable 

 of getting away."-)- Mr. Swainson traces in several 

 particulars a very curious affinity between these 

 birds and the Nightjars, placing them in the Fissi- 

 rostres. 



Rhamphastos^ the Toucan. 



In the enormous beak of these birds, in their 

 large size, and in the prevalence of black in their 

 plumage, we are reminded of the Hornbills, (Bu- 

 ceros,} to which indeed they shew a near relation 

 in manners and food, and which they appear to 

 replace in the tropical parts of South America. 



* T^wyuvi trygon, the Greek name of the Pigeons, 

 t Swainson, " Birds," in Cab. Cyc. vol. ii. p. 155. 

 ;, rkamp/ios, a beak. 



