SCANSORES. 211 



have no affinity with various small flat-billed members of the Tyrant-flycatcher group, which have often been 

 arranffeil with them by superficial writers]. 



We terminate the notice of this order by the most extraordinary of its genera, which bears less 

 resemblance to the other Syndyctali than the latter do inter se, and which might very properly be 

 ranged as a separate family. 



The Hornbills (Buceros, Lin.) — 

 Great birds of Africa and India, the enormous [arched and] dentelated beak of which is surmounted 

 by a protuberance, sometimes as large as the beak itself, or which latter is at least very much inflated 

 above, as remarkably so as in the Toucans ; while their port and habits approximate them to the 

 Crows, and their feet are similar to those of the Kingfishers and Bee-eaters. The form of the rostral 

 excrescence varies much with age, and in very young individuals there is even no trace of it percep- 

 tible ; its interior is generally cellular, [or permeated by a fragile network of osseous fibres]. The 

 sternum has but one slight emargination on each side behind, [and is otherwise pecuhar]. The 

 tongue is short [and heart-shaped, as in the Hoopoes, and the Roller, Bee-eater and Kingfisher group], 

 and deep in the throat. [The stomach moderately muscular, and intestines rather short ar.d without 

 coeca : they have only ten tail-feathers (as in the Hoopoes), and body-plumage short upon the rump, 

 and everywhere destitute of the supplementary plume to the feathers : the eyelids are fringed with 

 stout lashes, as if to guard the eyes from falling particles of dust disengaged by the rostral protube- 

 rance, however that may be employed, which is unknown.* The bones are more completely permeated 

 by air than in any other genus, the ambient fluid penetrating even the phalanges of the toes]. They 

 subsist on all sorts of food, devouring tender fruits, chasing Mice, small birds and reptiles, without 

 disdaining carrion ; [and breed in the hollows of decayed trees, producing four rounded white eggs. 



The species are very numerous, and one alone is disting-uished from the rest by having- a solid bony protube- 

 rance to the bill, of medium size. The flight of these birds is sailing, and resembles that of a Crow; and on the 

 ground they advance by a leapnig mode of progression, assisted by the wings : the larger species are extremely 

 shy and diflicult of approach, and they always perch on the decayed branches of lofty trees, where their vision can 

 command a wide range. It requires to be confirmed that any of them feed on vegetable diet when in a state of 

 nature.] 



THE THIRD ORDER OF BIRDS,- 



THE CLIMBERS,! [Zygodactyli, Tem.]- 



Consists of species wherein the outer toe is directed backward like the thumb [except in the 

 Trogons, where the first and second toes are opposed to the third and fourth], from which 

 results a more efficient grasp, which certain of the genera avail themselves of to cling to the 

 trunks of trees, and so climb up them. The name of Climbers (Scansores) has, therefore, 

 been appropriated to this division, although it does not rigorously apply to all its component 

 members, and there are also several birds that climb equally well, the toes of which are dis- 

 posed in the ordinary manner, as the Tree-creepers and the Nuthatches, 



The Birds of this order nestle generally in the holes of decayed trees ; their flight is [ordi- 

 narily] but moderate ; their nourishment, as in the Passerinm, consists of insects and fruits, 

 according as the beak is more or less robust ; and certain of them, as the Woodpeckers, are 

 provided with special means of obtaining it. 



In the greater number of genera, the sternum is doubly emarginated at its posterior edge ; 

 but in the Parrots [which have no sort of affinity with any of the rest] there is merely a hole 

 or foramen, and often not even this. 



The Jacamars {Galbula, Brisson) — 

 Hold a near relationship with the Kingfishers by their lengthened beak, which is pointed, with a sharp 

 upper ridge, and by their short feet, the two front toes of which are connected to the second joint ; 



* Tlie Aiii {Crotuphagn} which have ft verv simiUr elevation of | + More properly speaking, yoke-footed birds, ai the g:reater oum- 

 tlie beak to thalof several of the smaller Hornbills, have also the eyes | ber of thcin do not climb.— Ko. 

 guarded by lashes. 



