THE SEARCHERS. I3I 



but we are of opinion that the nidification of this l:)ird should be described b)- other observers before 

 full reliance be placed on the assertion that it makes a nest, for die hollows of trees are the usual 

 incubating places of all the Toucans. 



THE KIRIMA, OR RED-BILLED TOUCAN. 



The KiRiMA, or Red-billed Toucan {Ramphastus erythrorhytuhus) — see Coloured Plate XXVI. 

 — a very similar, but more slenderly-built species, is a beautiful bird inhabiting North America. It has 

 a scarlet beak, with yellow base and culmen, a broad red band on the white throat, and a yellow rump. 



In its general habits and manners the Red-billed Toucan resembles the rest of its congeners, 

 leaping lightly from branch to branch among the topmost foliage of the lofty trees of its native forests. 

 Mr. Waterton states that the native name is Boiiradi, signif)'ing " nose ;" that it frequents the 

 mangrove-trees on the sea-coast, and is never seen in the interior till you reach INIackonochia, where 

 it is found in the neighbourhood of the river Tucuton. It feeds entirely on the fruits of the forest, 

 and never kills the young of other birds or devours carrion. The sound the Bouraki makes is like the 

 clear yelping of a puppy-dog ; you might fancy it said " pia-po-o-co." Thus the Spaniards calls tliis 

 species Piapoco. It lays its eggs in the hollows of trees. Although Mr. Waterton states that the 

 Red-billed Toucan lives entirely on fruits in its native wilds, it exhibits the utmost partiality to animal 

 food when in a state of captivity, as shown by W. J. Broderip, Esq., in an account given by him of a 

 specimen he examined at a bird-dealer's in St. Martin's Lane. '" After looking at the bird, which was 

 apparently in the highest state of health," says that gentleman, " I asked the proprietor to bring up a 

 small bird, that I might see how the Toucan would be aflected by its appearance. The dealer soon 

 returned, bringing with him a last year's Goldfinch. The instant he introduced his hand, holding the 

 Goldfinch, into the cage of the Toucan, the latter, which was on a perch, snatched it with his bill. 

 The poor little bird had only time to utter a short weak cry, for within a second it was dead, killed by 

 compression on the sternum and abdomen, and that so powerful that the bowels protruded after a 

 very few squeezes with the Toucan's bill. As soon as the Goldfinch v.'as dead the Toucan hopped 

 with it in his bill to another perch, and placing it between his right foot and the perch, began to strip 

 off the feathers with his beak. When he had plucked away most of them, he broke the bones of the 

 wings and legs with his bill, taking the wings therein, and giving at the same time a strong lateral 

 wrench. He continued this work with great dexterity till he had almost reduced the bird to a 

 shapeless mass ; and ever and anon he would take his prey from the perch in his bill, and hop from 

 perch to perch, making, at the same time, a peculiar hollow, chattering noise, at which times 

 I observed that his wings and bill were aftected with a vibratory or shi^■ering motion, though tlie 

 former were not expanded. He then returned the bird to the perch, and having set his foot on it, 

 ate first the viscera, and then continued pulling off and swallowing piece after piece, till the head, 

 neck, and part of the back and sternum, with their soft parts, were alone left ; these, after a litde more 

 wrenching, he at last swallowed, not even leaving the wings or legs. It was clear to me that he felt 

 great enjoyment, for whenever he seized his prey from the perch he appeared to exult, now masti- 

 cating the morsel with his toothed bill, and applying his tongue to it, now attempting to gorge it, and 

 now making the peculiar chattering noise, accompanied by tlie shivering motion above mentioned. 

 The whole operation lasted about a quarter of an hour. He then cleaned his beak, by rubbing it 

 against the bars of his cage. I have more than once seen this bird return the food from his crop, 

 sometimes twice after he had taken it, and after masticating the morsel awhile in his bill, again 

 swallow it, the whole operation, particularly the return of the food to the bill, bearing a strong 

 resemblance to the analogous action in ruminating animals. His food consisted of bread, boiled 

 vegetables, eggs, and flesh ; to which a little bird is added every second and tliird day. He shows a 



