OLIMBEBS. 



260 



CHAPTER XI. 



DIVISION I.— VERTEBRATES. 



CLASS II. — BIRDS. 



CLIMBERS, SCRATCHERS, AND RUNNERS. 



ORDER III. — CLIMBERS. 



Under the Scomsores, or Climbers, we have those birds 

 which have the external toe upon each side turned backwards, 

 enabling them to grasp substances more firmly with their claws, 

 and affording them a more sure support than other birds. This 

 formation adapts them for climbing, as they can cling with consi- 

 derable force to the rough bark and branches of trees. Of this 

 order are the Toucans, the Parrots, the Woodpeckers, and the 

 Cuckoos. 



The Toucans are all natives of tropical America. Their 

 enormous bill is rendered light in the same way as that of the 

 hornbills, by being chiefly composed of a 

 honeycomb structure. It seems to be 

 very sensitive, and well supplied with 

 nerves, as the bird not only appears to 

 enjoy holding meat or fruits with the tip 

 of its bill, but has been seen to scratch 

 that organ with its foot, plainly proving 

 that there must be sensation. It seems 

 to be omnivorous, but is particularly fond 

 of mice, and small birds, which it kills 

 by a poweriul squeeze, then strips, and 



finally pulls to pieces and devours, having previously reduced its 

 prey to a shapeless mass by repeated lateral wrenches with its enor- 

 mous and saw-like bill. Waterton in his Wanderings describes 

 the usual haunts of the Toucan. 

 23 



