172 HISTORY OF 



tlivown into tlie air, it would most dexterously catch before tlioy 

 fell to the ground. Its bill, he adds, was hollow, and upon that 

 account very light, so that it had but little strength in so appar- 

 ently formidable a weapon ; nor could it peck or strike smartly 

 therewith. But its tongue seemed to assist the efforts of this 

 unwieldy machine ; it was long, thin, and flat, not unlike one of 

 the feathers on the neck of a dunghill- cock ; this it moved up 

 and down, and often extended five or six inches from the bill. 

 It was of a flesh colour, and very remarkably fringed on each 

 side with very small filaments, exactly resembling a feather. 



It is probable that this long tongue has greater strength than 

 the thin hollow beak that contains it. It is likely that the beak 

 is only a kind of sheath for this peculiar instrument, used by the 

 toucan, not only in making itself a nest, but also in obtaining its 

 provision. Nothing is more certain, than that this bird builds its 

 nest in holes of trees, which have been previously scooped out 

 for this purpose ; and it is not very likely that so feeble a bill 

 could be vt ry serviceable in working upon such hard materials. 



Be this as it will, there is no bird secures its young better 

 from external injury than the toucan. It has not only birds, 

 men, and serpents, to guard against, but a numerous tribe of 

 monkeys, still more prying, mischievous, and hungry, than all 

 the rest. The toucan, however, scoops out its nest in the hol- 

 low of some trees, leaving only a hole large enough to go in and 

 out at. There it sits, with its great beak, guarding the entrance, 

 and if the monkey venture to offer a visit of curiosity, the tou- 

 can gives him such a welcome, that he presently thinks proper 

 to pack off, and is glad to escape with safety. 



This bird is only found in the warm climates of South 

 America, where it is in great request, both for the delicacy of its 

 flesh, which is tender and nourishing, and for the beauty of its 

 plumage, particularly the feathers of the breast. The skin of 

 this part the Indians pluck off, and, when dry, glue to their 

 cheeks ; and this they consider as an irresistible addition to their 

 bewuty. 



