302 BIRDS. 
One of them is remarkable for the figure of its tail; Zr. temnu- 
rus, T., Col. 826; and another for the length of the tail coverts, 
which nearly equals that of the body, 7'r. pavonius, T., Col. 372; 
Spix, 35. It is celebrated in the mythology of the Mexicans, and 
much in request among them for ornamental purposes. 
Crotopuaca, Lin. 
The Ani® are known by their bill, which is thick, compressed, arcu- 
ated, entire, elevated, and surmounted with a vertical and trenchant crest. 
Two species are known, both from the hot and low districts of 
America. Their tarsi are strong and elevated, the tail long and 
rounded, and the plumage black. Crotophaga major, and Croto, 
ani, Enl. 102, fig. 1 and 2, Vieill. Gal. 43. 
These birds feed on insects and grain, and fly in flocks, several 
couples laying their eggs, and even brooding over them in the same 
nest, which, together with the branches that support it, is of a size 
proportioned to the number of couples that have constructed it. 
They are easily tamed, and may be even taught to speak, but their 
flesh has a disagreeable odour. 
Rampuastost, Lan. 
The Toucans are distinguished from all other birds by their enormous 
bill, which is almost as thick and as long as their body, light and cellular 
internally, arcuated near the end, and irregularly indented along its edges; 
and by their long and narrow tongue, fringed on both sides with barbs 
like a quill. They are confined to the hot climates of America, where 
they live in small flocks, feeding on fruit and insects; they also devour 
other birds’ eggs during the season of laying, and their newly-hatched 
young. ‘The structure of their bill compels them to swallow their food 
without mastication. When they have seized it, they toss it into the air 
to swallow it with more facility. ‘Their feet are short, and their wings 
have but little extent; their tail is tolerably long. ‘They build in the 
hollows of trees. 
Tue Toucans, properly so cailed, 
Have a bill larger than their head; they are generally black, with 
lively colours on the throat, breast, and rump. ‘These parts of their 
plumage were employed, formerly, in a kind of embroidery f. 
* Ani, Anno, names of these birds in Guiana and Brazil. Crotropuacus was 
formed by Brown (Nat. Hist. Jamaic.), from the circumstance of the Ani in that 
island flying on the cattle in pursuit of the Tabanus and the Tick. Kroton (musca 
canina). : 
} Toucan from their Brazilian name Tuca; Rhamphastos, a name invented by Lin- 
nus, from ramphos (bill), on account of the enormous size of that organ. 
t Ramphastos toco, Enl. 82, Vaill. 2;—carinatus, Wagler, Edw. 329;—tucanus, 
Enl. 307 ;—piscivorus, L., or Callorhynchus, Wagler, Edw. 64;—maximus, Nob. Vaill. 
Toue. pl. vi;—pectoralis, Sh. or Tucai, Lich. Enl. 269;—Aldrovandi, Sh. Alb. II, 25; 
—erythrorhynchos, Sh. Enl. 262, Vaill. 3;—Vallantii, Wagler, Vaill.'4;—Tocard, Id. 
Vaill. 9;—-vitellinus, Id. Vaill. 17, Swains. Zool. Ill. 66;—dicolorus, Wagler, or 
chlororkynchos, Temm, Vail, 8. 
