GENERAL REMARKS 



ON THE 



FORMS AND ANALOGY OF THE TOUCAN, 

 PARROT, AND EAGLE. 



m By Mr. G. Perry* 



THE curious, yet sometimes almost insensible differ- 

 ence in the bill and feet, which exists in the divisions of 

 the claws, has frequently suggested to my mind, the wish 

 for a more exact analogy and description. I have therefore 

 endeavoured in the account of three particular genera, to 

 mark out some outlines of character, in a more distinct 

 manner than has hitherto been done. 



The Toucan is a native of Africa and the West 

 Indies, and is also found in all the countries bordering 

 upon the Torrid Zone. The bill of this curious bird is 

 of an uncommon shape, as to its immense length and thick- 

 ness, when compared with its body, which is sometimes 

 rather small; the bill resembles the claw of a large Lobster, 

 and this extraordinary bill is in one species seven inches 

 and a half long, and flattened like the handle of a knife. 

 The double billed Toucan, or Hornbill, has a second bill 

 standing upon the top of the other, but something less in its 

 size and length, yet it adds very much to the usual thick- 

 ness of the head, and gives it a very heavy appearance. 

 The generic name for these birds is Ramphostos, under 

 this family we also inclnde the Buceros of Linnaeus, not 

 seeing any sufficient difference for separating it. These 

 birds, although so formidable in their appearance, are! 

 quite harmless and gentle; they feed principal y on pe; per, 

 which they devour with great ardour, gorging them-/ Ives 

 in such a manner as to void it crude and undigested, this 



