TOUCANS. 



575 



to the natives, from their remarkable form, and from the rich and strongly- 

 contrasted style of their colouring, their black and green bodies being adorned 

 with markings of the most brilliant hues — red, orange, blue, and white : the 

 naked parts of the body being dyed with brilliant colours ; the legs blue or green ; 

 the irides blue, yellow, etc. : and the large bill of a different colour in every species, 

 and in many instances very gaily marked. In their habits the toucans offer 



v . , < , (^ 



BLACK-THBOATED AKACABI TOUCAN (* nat. Size). 



some resemblance to the crows, and especially to the magpies ; like them they are 

 very troublesome to the birds of prey, particularly to the owls, whom they 

 surround and annoy by making a great noise, all the while jerking their tails 

 upwards and downwards. The flight of these birds is easy and graceful, and 

 they sweep with facility over the loftiest trees of their native forests, their strongly- 

 developed bills, contrary to expectation, being no encumbrance to them. The voice 

 of the toucans is short ami unmelodious. and somewhat different in every species." 



