SCANSORES. 
211 
I have no affinity with various small flat-billed members of the Tyrant-flycatcher group, which have often been 
arranged with them by superficial writers]. 
I We terminate the notice of this order by the most extraordinary of its genera, which bears less 
1 resemblance to the other Syndyctali than the latter do inter se, and which might very properly be 
ranged as a separate family. 
j The Hornbills {Buceros, Lin.) — 
Great birds of Africa and India, the enormous [arched and] dentelated beak of which is surmounted 
by a protuberance, sometimes as large as the beak itself, or which latter is at least very much inflated 
above, as remarkably so as in the Toucans ; while their port and habits approximate them to the 
Crow'S, and their feet are similar to those of the Kingfishers and Bee-eaters. The form of the rostral 
excrescence varies much with age, and in very young individuals there is even no trace of it percep- 
tible; its interior is generally cellular, [or permeated by a fragile network of osseous fibres]. The 
j sternum has but one slight emargination on each side behind, [and is otherwise peculiar]. The 
I tongue is short [and heart-shaped, as in the Hoopoes, and the Roller, Bee-eater and Kingfisher group], 
j and deep in the throat. [The stomach moderately muscular, and intestines rather short and without 
I cceca : they have only ten tail-feathers (as in the Hoopoes), and body-plumage short upon the rump, 
i and everywhere destitute of the supplementary plume to the feathers : the eyelids are fringed with 
stout lashes, as if to guard the eyes from falling particles of dust disengaged by the rostral protube- 
rance, however that may be employed, which is unknown.* The bones are more completely permeated 
I by air than in any other genus, the ambient fluid penetrating even the phalanges of the toes]. They 
subsist on all sorts of food, devouring tender fruits, chasing Mice, small birds and reptiles, without 
; disdaining carrion ; [and breed in the hollows of decayed trees, producing four rounded white eggs, 
i The species are very numerous, and one alone is disting-uished fi'om the rest by having a solid bony protube- 
' ranee to the bill, of medium size. The flight of these birds is sailing, and resembles that of a Crow ; and on the 
ground they advance by a leaping mode of progression, assisted by the wings : the larger species are extremely 
[ shy and difficult of approach, and they always perch on the decayed branches of lofty trees, where their vision can 
t command a wide range. It requires to be confirmed that any of them feed on vegetable diet when in a state of 
I nature.] 
I 
! 
! THE THIRD ORDER OF BIRDS,— 
I THE CLIMBERS, t [Zygodactyli, Tern.]— 
i Consists of species wherein the outer toe is directed backw^ard like the thumb [except in the 
! Trogons, where the first and second toes are opposed to the third and fourth], from which 
results a more efficient grasp, which certain of the genera avail themselves of to cling to the 
1 trunks of trees, and so climb up them. The name of Cumbers {Scansores) has, therefore, 
■ been appropriated to this division, although it does not rigorously apply to all its component 
I members, and there are also several birds that climb equally well, the toes of which are dis- 
: posed in the ordinary manner, as the Tree-creepers and the Nuthatches. 
I The Birds of this order nestle generally in the holes of decayed trees ; their flight is [ordi- 
I narily] but moderate ; their nourishment, as in the Passerhue, consists of insects and fruits, 
I according as the beak is more or less robust; and certain of them, as the Woodpeckers, are 
I provided with special means of obtaining it. 
I In the greater number of genera, the sternum is doubly emarginated at its posterior edge ; 
j but in the Parrots [which have no sort of affinity with any of the rest] there is merely a hole 
I or foramen, and often not even this. 
; The Jacamars {Galbula, Brisson) — 
Hold a near relationship with the Kingfishers by their lengthened beak, wbicb is pointed, with a sharp 
j upper ridge, and by their short feet, the tw'o front toes of which are connected to the second joint ; 
! * The Aiii {Crotuphaga) which have a very similar elevation of | t More properly speaking, yoke-footed birds, as the greater nuin- 
the beak to that of several of the smaller Hornbills, have also the eyes j ber of them do not climb. — E d. 
I guarded by lashes. 
