344 H O R N B I L L. 



The length of it, from the utmoft gibbofity behind to' the tip, in 

 a. fpecimen now by me, is eight inches. The bill is nearly ftrait, 

 and, as far as the real mandibles reach, of a conical figure ; the top 

 of the upper is continued upwards into a gibbofity, of a form al- 

 moft fquare, making the bill at this part four inches and a half in 

 depth ; this is rounded behind, and almoft flat in front ; the front 

 is a true bone, of an inch in thicknefs, the fides of which may be 

 readily feen through, as they are very thin and tranfparent, and, 

 with the half of the bill next the bafe, of a deep red ; the bony 

 front, and end half of the bill, yellowifh white : the noftrils, or at 

 leaft what appear to me as fuch, are juft above the eyes, in the 

 hollow; and from them begins a wrinkled ridge, which goes 

 quite acrofs the gibbous part to the front : the general colour of 

 this bird ftiould feem to be black, as the few feathers which are 

 attached to the back part of the head, both in my fpecimen and 

 that figured in the Planches enluminees, are of that colour. 



If I conjecture right, this bird may have fome powerful enemy, 

 to which it may at times oppofe this bony thick front, by way of 

 defence, as it is certainly capable of great refiftance. I am led 

 to think this, from the bill in my pofTeffion, which appears to 

 have fuffered by this means; for the horny part is beaten off in 

 feveral places. 



I have feen the bony front of this bill made into a fnuff-box, of 

 which it formed the top. 



Buceros 



