THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. T9 



of the oppossum are quite numerous ; also the ant- 

 eater, a remarkable animal that subsists entirely up- 

 on that insect. 



The birds of the Isthmus are very numerous, and 

 embrace some of the most interesting varieties. 

 Many of them are migratory, leaving at the com- 

 mencement of the rainy season for the dry atmos- 

 phere of a more southern climate, where they 

 abound in still greater numbers in the forests of 

 Brazil, Paragua, and other places. I did not have 

 the opportunity of observing but a comparatively 

 small number, and among them were swallows, 

 whippoorwills, several species of hawks, wild tur- 

 keys, partridges, cuckoos, wood-peckers, turkey- 

 buzzards, &c. The toucon is a very interesting 

 bird, and very common. It is remarkable for the 

 large size of its bill, it being from four to five inches 

 long, but very celular and consequently light ; the 

 tongue is long but slender, and barbed at its edges, 

 so that when it swallows, it is obliged to throw its head 

 back, or toss its food up in the air, and catch it deep 

 in the throat as it falls. It subsists on fruit and in- 

 sects. The plumage of the different species varies 

 much, but it is often very beautiful, embracing the 

 crimson, yellow and blue colors, which are more or 

 less blended ; while some are principally black, 

 with green and other shades, and a red band about 

 the neck. 



The parrot tribe embraces a number of varieties, 

 of which the common green parrot and paroquet 

 are the most common, while the macaw is the most 



