A YQUNG NATURALIST. 



129 



mouse-eater, there were some enormous holes dug out by 

 the tuzas* the Mexican moles, so dreaded by agriculturists. 

 This animal is about the size of a kitten; it lives in com- 

 panies, and works underneath the surface of the soil in a 

 way very dangerous to travellers, who suddenly find the 

 ground sink under their feet. L'Encuerado, who was very 

 fond of the flesh of the tuza, which used to be sold in the 

 Indian markets, placed himself in ambush in the hopes of 

 killing one. Five minutes had scarcely elapsed when we 

 heard a gunshot, and the hunter made his appearance with 

 a rather ugly little animal, having a dark-brown coat, short 

 feet, ears and eyes almost imperceptible, a mouth furnished 

 with formidable incisors, and on each side of its jaws a vast 

 pouch filled with earth. Lucien declared that he would 

 never consent to eat of this creature, and promised his share 

 to PEncuerado. 



Our attention was again attracted towards the forest by 

 the cries of five or six toucans, and again we set off in 

 chase. These birds are extremely suspicious, and their ca- 

 pricious flight almost baffles pursuit* I succeeded, how- 

 ever, in killing one; the others flew off, raising cries of 

 anger. 



"How can they bear the weight of such an enormous 

 beak ?" asked Lucien, who had run to pick up the bird, and 

 was struck with admiration at its beautiful green and yel- 

 low plumage. 



"Nature has made provision for that: the enormous 

 beak, which seems so heavy, is composed of a very light 

 porous substance." 



" Then it can not eat any thing hard ?" 



" No ; its flexible beak could not crush any unyielding 

 substance, and it feeds on nothing but soft fruits ; and even 



* Saccophorus Mexicanus. 

 6* 



