THE TOUCAN. 



81 



hole. The Cole Tit soon found out the hollow, and discovering 

 that the cavity would make a good dwelling-place, and that the 

 hole afforded an easy mode of entrance and egress, she proceeded 

 to make her nest therein. When I saw the tree, the Cole Tii 

 had not begun to build, but the relics of the old nest were there 

 and could easily be seen by opening the door. 



Another example of birds that make their nests within the 

 hollow of trees is the strangely-formed Toucan (Ramphastos 

 Ariel). 



There are many species of Toucan, all of which are easily 

 recognisable on account of the colours of the beak, for in all 

 these birds the enormous bill is decorated with strangely brilliant 

 tints. In one species the beak is rich orange and black, in 

 another it is scarlet and yellow, and in another it is green and 

 red ; and in all it is of enormous dimensions when compared 

 with the body, and is of great strength, though very light. 

 Indeed, it is but a mere shell of horny substance, in some places 



