224 
VERTEBRATA. 
filled with air-cells. They are confined to the hot regions of South America, where they are 
abundant. They live in considerable flocks in the forests, and sit in company on the trees, mak- 
ing an abominably harsh noise. They are omnivorous, feeding not only upon sweet pulpy fruits, 
which have generally been considered to constitute their whole nourishment, but also upon ani- 
mal matters of various kinds, such as fish, eggs, small birds, and reptiles, and the larvae of insects. 
They are said usually to take their food up in the bill, and throwing it into the air, catch it again 
with open mouth and swallow it directly. They make their nests in the hollows of trees, and 
lay two eggs. When sleeping, they take good care of their bills and tails, burying the former in 
their plumage, and laying the latter flat over their backs, so that they appear like balls of feathers. 
They have a very odd way of sitting upon the trees and moving their bills, at the same time 
uttering an unceasing cry, whence they are called Preachers. Mr. Gould records no less than 
twenty-two species ; the following will give a general idea of the whole. 
Q-enus E.HAMPHASTOS : Rhamphastos. — To this belongs the Brazil Toucan, R. tucanus, 
twenty inches long, the bill six inches; the upper parts are black, with bronze reflections, and 
various markings of red, crimson, orange, and green. The brilliant feathers were formerly used 
as decorations by the ladies of Peru and Brazil, 
The Ariel Toucan, R. a7'iel — R. maxhmis of Cuvier — is black, with brown reflections, having 
various splendid markings of orange, citron-green, and lively red ; it is twenty-one inches long ; 
found in Brazil. 
Genus ARA^ARI : Pteroglossus, includes the long-tailed species, in distinction from the pre- 
ceding, which have short tails. To this belongs Humboldt's Ara^ari, P, Humholdtii, seven- 
teen inches long ; bill four, tail graduated ; upper surface olive ; head, back of the neck, throat, 
and chest black ; under surface pale straw-yellow. The P. pluricinctus is twenty inches long ; 
the bill four and a half. Both of the above are natives of Brazil. 
