CRIMSON NTJT-CRACKBR. 157 
injuring tlie bill. The sharp tooth at the base of 
the upper mandible is, no doubt, highly useful in 
this operation, probably performing the office of a 
canine tooth by making a first indentation in the 
nut, whereby to procure a hold upon it ; the injuries 
to the bill are also more conspicuous close to this 
tooth than further towards the tip. 
The form of this bird constitutes its sub-generic 
character. The bill resembles a perfect cone, the 
sides of which are quite straight, and in nowise 
curved outwards. The upper mandible does not 
project at its tip beyond the under ; it is quite en- 
tire, excepting a short and rather acute tooth-like 
process close to its base, while the commissure or 
line formed by the joining of the two mandibles is 
nearly straight ; the nostrils are vertical, pierced be- 
nind the substance of the bill, but completely covered 
with the frontal feathers, thus very much resembling 
those of the toucans. The wings are rather short 
and much rounded ; the first quill is short, narrow, 
and spurious, about six-tenths of an inch in length ; 
the second is half an inch shorter than the third, and 
this latter is equally long with the fourth and fifth. 
The feet, without being robust, are large and slen- 
der; the middle toe very long, and exceeds, with its 
claw, the length of the tarsus ; the hind-claw is as 
long as its toe, as in many of the scansorial birds, 
and only falLs short of the tarsus by about the tenth 
of an inch. The tail is broad and much rounded. 
The colouring of the plumage is rich and yet 
simple. The feathers of the whole head, neck, 
