468 



SOANSOEBS, OE CLIMBERS. 



possesses a projecting bone at the middle of the upper man- 

 dible. It is not so heavy to bear, and incommodes the movements 

 of the birds less than might be supposed, for it is formed of a 

 spongy tissue, the numerous cells of which are filled with air. 

 Thus it is very weak, and does not serve to break, or even to bruise, 

 fruits, notwithstanding the idea one forms at first sight of its 

 strength, for it is not even capable of breaking o£f the bark of trees, 

 as certain authors have urged. This wonderful bill encloses a still 

 more strange tongue ; very straight, and as long as the beak, which 



is covered on each side with 

 closely-packed barbs, similar 

 to a feather, the use of which 

 remains a complete mystery 

 to us. This curious instru- 

 ment so struck the naturalists 

 of Brazil, where many Tou- 

 cans are found, that it fur- 

 nished these birds with a 

 name. In Brazilian Toman 

 means "feather." 



Toucans feed on fruits and 

 insects ; they live in bands of 

 from six to ten, in damp places 

 where the palm tree flourishes, 

 for its fruit is their favourite 

 food. In eating they seize 

 the fruit with the extremity 

 of the beak, make it bounce 

 up in the air, receive it then 

 into the throat, and swallow it in one piece. If it is too 

 large, and impossible to divide, they reject it. They are 

 rarely seen on the ground, and although their flight is heavy 

 and difficult, they perch on the branches of the highest 

 trees, where they remain in ceaseless motion. Their call is a 

 sort of whistle, frequently uttered. Very timid, they are ap- 

 proached with difficulty. During the breeding season they 

 attack the weakest birds of their own race, chase them from 

 their nests, and devour the eggs or nearly-hatched young ones 



Fig. 190. — Toucan [liamphastos toco, 

 native name). 



