308 VERTEBRATA. AVES. 



In some of the species the beak attains a size nearly 

 equal to that of the whole body; and, were its 

 density equal to that of other birds' bills, its weight 

 would be insupportable : but it is exceedingly light, 

 being full of cells, formed of very thin plates of 

 porous bone, and covered with a horny coat, which 

 in life reflects brilliant prismatic colours. The edges 

 are cut into sharp teeth, and the tongue is furnished 

 with horny fibres pointing outwards, so as to re- 

 semble the beards of a feather. The feet are fitted 

 for grasping firmly, but not for climbing, to which 

 these birds are not addicted. They appear to feed 

 on the eggs and young of birds, and occasionally on 

 small mammals and reptiles, in search of which they 

 hop about with considerable activity. 



Their prevailing colours are black above, and 

 various brilliant tints of red and yellow on the 

 under parts. Some of them, however, marked by 

 a smaller beak, have the upper parts green instead 

 of black. 



Mr. Broderip, in the Zoological Journal, has re- 

 corded some observations on the Red-beaked Tou- 

 can, (R. Erythrorhynchus,*) which are highly inter- 

 esting. The individual in question had appeared 

 greatly excited at the sight of a young Canary which 

 was near its cage, and on being liberated instantly 

 devoured it. Mr. Broderip being desirous to wit- 

 ness such an occurrence, the proprietor of the bird 

 presented it with a Goldfinch in his presence. 



o;, erythros, red, and pvv%os, rhynckos, the beak. 



