There are many strange and wonderful forms among the feathered tribes ; but 
there are, perhaps, none which more astonish the beholder who sees them for the 
first time, than the group of birds known by the name of Hornbills. 
They are all distinguished by a very large beak, to which is added a singular 
helmet-like appendage, equalling the beak itself in some species, while in others 
it is so small as to attract but little notice. On account of the enormous size of 
the beak and the helmet, which in some species recede to the crown of the head, 
the bird appears to be overweighted by the mass of horny substance which it has 
to carry ; but on a closer investigation, the whole structure is found to be 
singularly light, and yet very strong. 
On cutting asunder the beak and helmet of a Hornbiil, we find that the 
outer shell of horny substance is very thin indeed, scarcely thicker than the 
paper on which this description is printed, and that the whole interior is com- 
posed of numerous honey-combed cells, with very thin walls and very wide 
spaces, the walls of the cells being so arranged as to give every part strength 
when the bill is used for biting, and with a very slight expenditure of material. 
The general appearance of the dried head of a Hornbiil, with its delicate cellular 
arrangements, and its thin polished bony shell, is not unlike the well-known shell 
of the paper nautilus, and crumbles in the grasp almost as easily. 
Five species of Hornbills are shown in this engraving. The upper figure is the 
common Rhinoceros Hornbill {Buceros Rhinoceros); the handsome, but 
smaller bird on its left is the White-crested Hornbill {Buceros albocristdtm). 
Of the two figures that occupy the middle of the drawing, the left bird represents 
the Crested Hornbill {Buceros cristatus ), and that on the right is the Two- 
horned Hornbill {Buceros bicornis ) ; the smaller bird at the bottom is the 
Woodpecker Hornbill {Buceros Pica). 
In all the Hornbills, the beak varies greatly in proportion to the age of the 
individual, the helmet being almost imperceptible when it is first hatched, and the 
bill not very striking in its dimensions. Rut as the bird gains strength, so 
does the beak gain size, and when it is adult the helmet and beak attain their 
full proportions. It is said that the age of the Hornbill may be known, by 
inspecting the beak, for that at every year a wrinkle is added to the number of 
furrows that are found on the bill 
The object of the huge helmet-like appendage is very obscure, but the 
probability is, that it may aid the bird in producing the loud roaring cry for 
which it is so celebrated. When at liberty in its native forests, the Hornbill is 
lively and active, leaping from bough to bough with great lightness, and appearing 
not to be in the least incommoded by its large beak. It ascends the tree by a 
succession of easy jumps, each of which bring it to a higher branch, and when it 
has attained the very summit of the tree, it stops and pours forth a succession of 
loud roaring sounds, which can be heard at a considerable distance. 
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