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THE TOUCAN., 35! 
sion of easy jumps, each of which brings it to a higher branch, and when it 
has attained the very summit of the tree, it stops and pours forth a succession 
of loud roaring sounds, which can be heard at a considerable distance. 
The food of the Hornbill seems to consist both of animal and vegetable 
matters, and Lesson remarks that those species which inhabit Africa live on 
carrion, while those that are found in Asia feed on fruits, and that their flesh 
acquires thereby an agreeable and peculiar flavour. While on the ground, 
the movements of the Hornbill are rather peculiar, for instead of walking 
soberly along, as might be expected from a bird of its size, it hops along by a 
succession of jumps. It is but seldom seen on the ground, preferring 
Ha ion of trees, which its powerful feet are well calculated to clasp 
irmly. 
THE very curious birds that go by the name of TOUCANS are not one whit 
less remarkable than hornbills, their beak being often as extravagantly large, 
and their colours by far 
superior. They are inhabit- 
ants of America, the greater 
number of species being 
found in the tropical regions 
of that country. 
Of these birds there are 
many species, of which no 
less than five were living in 
the Zoological Gardens in a 
single year. Mr. Gould, in 
his magnificent work, the 
“Monograph of the Rham- 
phastide,” figures fifty-one 
species, and ranks them 
under six genera. 
The most extraordinary 
part of these birds is the 
enormous beak, which in 
some species, such as the 
Toco Toucan, is of gigantic 
dimensions, seeming big 
enough to give its owner a 
perpetual headache ; while 
in others, such as the Tou- 
canets, it is not so large as 
to attract much _ attention. 
As in the case of the hornbills, their beak is very thin and is strengthened 
by a vast number of honeycomb-cells, so that it is very light and does not 
incommode the bird in the least. The beak partakes of the brilliant colour- 
ing which decorates the plumage, but its beautiful hues are sadly evanescent, 
often disappearing or changing so thoroughly as to give no intimation of 
their former beauty. 
The voice of the Toucan is hoarse and rather disagreeable, and is in many 
cases rather articulate. In one species the cry resembles the word “ Tucano,” 
which has given origin to the peculiar name by which the whole group is 
designated. They have a habit of sitting on the branches in flocks, having 
a sentinel to guard them, and are fond of lifting up their beaks, clattering 
them together, and shouting hoarsely, from which custom the natives term 
them Preacher-birds. Sometimes the whole party, including the sentinel, set 
up a simultaneous yell, which is so deafeningly loud that it can be heard at 
COMMON TOUCAN.—(Rhamphastos Ariel.) 
