TOUCANS. 483 



pears to have selected the opposite side ; and they may be seen 

 working amicably away, without interfering with each other. 

 They show wonderful instinct in the selection of trees, some- 

 times hanging their large pendulous nests to the extremities 

 of palm branches, that they may thus be as much as possible 

 out of the reach of enemies who might attempt to take their 

 young brood. Others are said to select the trees on which 

 the stinging-wasps have already built their nests, as no tiger- 

 cat nor reptile of any description would venture to attack such 

 adversaries. 



One species (the casicus cristatus) weaves its nest of lichens, 

 bark fibres, and the filaments of the tillandsias ; another (the 

 casicus ruba) of dry grasses, and always suspends it over the 

 water. This has a slanting opening in the side, so that no 

 rain can penetrate it. 



TOUCANS. 

 During the dry season, on the topmost boughs of the lofty 

 trees growing on the gapo lands, large gaily-coloured birds, 

 with huge beaks of the shape of a banana or pacova, are 

 perched, in bands of five or six, uttering loud, shrill, and 

 yelping cries, having somewhat the resemblance to "Tocano! 

 tocano ! tocano!" Hence the Indians give them the name 

 from which we derive toucan — a bird especially characteristic 

 of the forests of Tropical America. The Brazilians also call 

 them " preacher-birds," — -from their habit of lifting up their 

 beaks, and clattering them together, and shouting hoarsely. 

 One, mounted higher than the rest, acts either as the leader 

 of the inharmonious chorus, or does the duty of sentinel. 

 He keeps a bright look-out on every side, and as danger ap- 

 proaches, gives a warning cry, when his companions stretch 



