AVES. 361 



Order III. Scansores 



Embraces the Toucans, Parrots, Woodpeckers, and some other families 

 of birds, which are grouped together under the common denomination of 

 cHmbing birds. 



They can be recognised immediately by the peculiar disposition of their 

 toes, which are placed in pairs, two before and two behind. This arrange- 

 ment, which is characteristic of the order, gives them great facility in 

 climbing on the trunks and about the branches of trees. 



The species of this order are not numerous, and principally inhabit 

 warm countries. 



Fam. 1. Ramphastid^, or Toucans. A group of about fifty birds of 

 South and Central America and Mexico. They are all singular and rather 

 grotesque in their appearance, on account of their disproportionately large 

 bills. They are known by the names of Toucans and Aracaris. 



Sub-fam. 1. Rmnphastince. Bill very large, long, smooth, broad at the 

 base, curved, compressed to the point, lateral margins finely serrated ; 

 wings short, rounded ; tail various, sometimes lengthened, frequently short 

 and truncated. Tarsi and feet rather short and strong. Size rather large ; 

 colors gay. 



The only sub-family contains two genera, Ramphastos, or Toucans, and 

 Pteroglossus, or Aracaris, the species of which are very similar in habits 

 and history. 



These singular birds ai"e represented as being common in the vast forests 

 of South America, though shy and cautious. They feed on various tropical 

 fruits, but are also said to devour reptiles, young birds, and other small 

 animals. They breed in hollow trees, building little or no nest. Several 

 species of these birds have been discovered in Mexico. Nearly all the 

 species possess more or less beauty of plumage, being mostly fine black 

 with red and yellow. 



The red-billed toucan {Ramphastos erythrorhynchus), the large-billed, 

 R. tucanus {pi. 97, fig. 13), and the long-tailed aracari, Pteroglossus 

 aracari {pi. 97, fig. 12), are the most common species. 



Fam. 2. Psittacid^, or Parrots. This large family of birds, some of 

 which are universally known, is distributed throughout the warmer regions 

 of the world. They are easily recognised by their peculiar general form 

 and plumage, familiar disposition, and the capability of many of the species 

 of being taught to imitate the human voice. 



There are about three hundred species of parrots. 



Sub-Jam. 1. Pezoporince, or Ground Parrots. Bill moderate, abruptly 

 arched from the base to the tip ; wings short ; tail long, broad ; tarsi and 

 feet short and robust. Size small ; colors gay. 



These birds inhabit southern Asia and Australia, generally living on the 

 ground or in thickets, or in low woods. Many of them are very richly 

 colored. The ring-necked parrot {Palceornis torquatus) of India and the 

 beautiful ground parrot of Australia {Pezoporus formosus) are suitable 



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