THE SEARCHERS. 



129 



THE ARASSARI. 



The Arassari {Pteroglossiis aracari), a native of BrazO, is principally of a deep metallic green ; 



the throat and head are black, the cheeks shaded \vith browTiish violet, and the lower breast and belly 



pale greenish yellow ; the rump, and a line along the centre of the belly, are red ; the tail is blackish 



green above and greyish green beneath. The eye is brown, the bare places round the eyes are 



THE TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastus toco). 



greyish black, the upper mandible is yellowish white, with black culmen and mouth-corners, while the 

 lower portion of the bill is black, edged with white ; the legs are greenish grey. This species is 

 seventeen inches long ; the wing measures six, and tlie tail six and a lialf inches. 



Tlie Arassari, as we learn from the Prince von AVied, inhabits tlie primiti\-e forests of Brazil, and 

 closely resembles the Toucan in its habits ; during the period of incubation it li\-es in pairs, but at 

 other seasons in small parties, whicli fly over tlie face of the country in search of the fruits upon 

 which they mainly subsist. Their flight, wliich resembles that of the Toucan, is undulatory and very 

 rapid. AVhen perclicd on the summits of high trees, they constantly repeat the two short notes tliat 

 form their cry, and whisk witli the tail after the manner of the Common Jay. The nest is made in a 

 X'OL. III.— :96 



