AVES. 361 
Orper III. Scansores 
Embraces the Toucans, Parrots, Woodpeckers, and some other families 
of birds, which are groyped together under the common denomination of 
climbing birds. 
They can be recognised immediately by the peculiar disposition of their 
toes, which are placed in pairs, two before and two behind. This arrange- 
ment, which is characteristic of the order, gives them great facility in 
climbing on the trunks and about the branches of trees. 
The species of this order are not numerous, and principally inhabit 
warm countries. 
Fam. 1. Rampyastipz, or Toucans. A group of about fifty birds of 
South and Central America and Mexico. They are all singular and rather 
grotesque in their appearance, on account of their disproportionately large 
bills. They are known by the names of Toucans and Aracaris. 
Sub-fam. 1. Ramphastine. Bill very large, long, smooth, broad at the 
base, curved, compressed to the point, lateral margins finely serrated ; 
wings short, rounded ; tail various, sometimes lengthened, frequently short 
and truncated. Tarsi and feet rather short and strong. Size rather large ; 
colors gay. 
The only sub-family contains two genera, Ramphastos, or Toucans, and 
Pteroglossus, or Aracaris, the species of which are very similar in habits 
and history. 
These singular birds are represented as being common in the vast forests 
of South America, though shy and cautious. They feed on various tropical 
fruits, but are also said to devour reptiles, young birds, and other small 
animals. They breed in hollow trees, building little or no nest. Several 
species of these birds have been discovered in Mexico. Nearly all the 
species possess more or less beauty of plumage, being mostly fine black 
with red and yellow. 
The red-billed toucan (Ramphastos erythrorhynchus), the large-billed, 
R. tucanus (pl. 97, fig. 13), and the long-tailed aracari, Pteroglossus 
aracari (pl. 97, fig. 12), are the most common species. 
Fam. 2. Pstrractipz, or Parrots. This large family of birds, some of 
which are universally known, is distributed throughout the warmer regions 
of the world. They are easily recognised by their peculiar general form 
and plumage, familiar disposition, and the capability of many of the species 
of being taught to imitate the human voice. 
There are about three hundred species of parrots. 
Sub-fam. 1. Pezoporine, or Ground Parrots. Bill moderate, abruptly 
arched from the base to the tip; wings short; tail long, broad ; tarsi and 
feet short and robust. Size small; colors gay. 
These birds inhabit southern Asia and Australia, generally living on the 
ground or in thickets, or in low woods. Many of them are very richly 
colored. The ring-necked parrot (Paleornis torquatus) of India and the 
beautiful ground parrot of Australia (Pezoporus formosus) are suitable 
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