100 NICARAGUA. 



flight, and utters a sharp piping note. They live in pairs, but 

 many pairs may be seen at a short distance from each other. 

 They feed on insects. 



Some species of Pipridae make a great deal of noise 

 with their wings, when flying from one branch to another, 

 but I never heard it from this species. 



Among the other remarkable species of birds met with in 

 Nicaragua, I shall mention several species of Tanagers, 

 among which, Ramphoceliis passerini and icterontus, 

 several species of Calandra (Icterus) remarkable for their 

 long purse shaped nests, built near one another at the top of 

 high trees. These birds usually yellow and black, are very 

 fond of plantains. The curious Fly-catchers (Milvulus 

 tyr annus and forficatiis) , two fine species with long tails, 

 always found in the savannas (plains) chasing all sorts of 

 insects, and having the habit of selecting a special branch as 

 a post of observation, to which they always return. Two 

 species of Jacamar, Galbiila melano^enia , and Jacamerops 

 crrandis, two very fine birds, metallic golden-green, chieflv 

 seen singly, in the small forests ; several species of Tro- 

 gons, also brilliantly coloured, metallic golden-green above 

 and on the neck and breast, with the rest of the under- 

 surface usually crimson or yellow, several species of Pico 

 Canoas, or Toucans. The native name is derived from the 

 form of its brilliantly coloured bill, which is extremely large, 

 each mandible ha^dng somewhat the shape of a caiioa 

 (boat.) 



They are remarkable birds, and only found in America. 

 Thev belonor to the familv of Rampliastidœ. and about sixtv 

 species are known. The true Ramphastos are the largest 

 and most brilliantly coloured, with patches of bright vello\N' 

 and crimson on the breast. They are much killed for the 

 sake of these bright feathers, which are greatly prized bv 

 some Indians, who make curious head-dresses with them. 

 The yellow feathers are also much used in England for the 

 manufacture of flies, for trout and salmon fishing. 



Although their bill is very large compared to the size 

 of the birds, it is in reality very light, its interior consisting of 

 a maze of delicate cells, throuorhout which, the ramifications of 

 the olfactory nerves are multitudiously distributed. The use 

 of this extraordinary bill is not satisfactorily known Their 

 long, slender, pointed tongues are horny, and fringed or 

 feathered on each side. The tail is peculiar for the facility 

 with which it can be turned up, so as to lie on the back. 



