68 
natural history. 
and unconcocted. This, however, is no objection to (lie 
natives from using it again ; they even prefer it before that 
pepper which is fresh gathered from the tree; and seem per- 
suaded that the strength and heat of the pepper is qualified 
h-^ /t d Ut ’ an< ^ l ' Ult US nox * ous qualities are thus ex- 
This bird is only found in the warm climates of South 
America, where it is in great request, both for the delicacy 
of its flesh, winch is tender and nourishing, and for the 
beauty of its plumage, particularly the feathers of the breast. 
1 he skin of thfc part the Indians pluck off, and when dry, 
l .° tl leir cheeks ; and this they consider as an irresistible 
addition to their beauty. The Motmot is a bird almost 
exactly resembling the toucan, and considered by some as 
or the same genus. 
o 
Ihe Horniull. Nearly allied to the Toucan is the 
JrJornbill, by some called the calao Indian Raven. It in- 
deed seems to hold the same place in the warm climates of 
the old continent as the Toucan does in the new. The dis- 
tinguished characteristic of this genus is an immense bending 
bill, with frequently a large protuberance in the upper part 
of it, resembling an additional bill. 
The Rhinoceros Hornbill, or Rhinoceros bird, is nearlv 
as large as a Turkey ; the bill is ten inches long, and two 
and a half thick- at the base. On the upper part is an ap- 
pendage as large as the bill itself, and turning upwards 
which measures eight inches in height. There is nothint 
else remarkable in the bird, as the general colour of the 
plumage is black. Ibis bird is found in most parts of the 
rm I T, es ’ whe i? (like the raven) it feeds upon carrion. 
1 he Helmet Hornbill is remarkable for having the same 
prominence of a conical form ; and in the Philippine Isles 
there is a species, the horn of which reaches backwards be- 
yond the eyes ending in two angular points, which produce 
the effect of a bird with two horns. 
Of the Pied Hornbill, or calao of Malabar; the circum- 
stance which distinguishes it from the rest of its kind is 
that the breast, belly, and a part of the wings are white’ 
black ma nder ° f thC b ° dy ‘ S ’ lik<5 the reSt ° f these an ‘ ma l^ 
1 here are about twelve species of this bird in all, one of 
which is white. ’ 
The Parrot is the best known among us of all foreign 
birds, as it unites the greatest beautv with the greatest 
docility. & 
