12 
INTRODUCTION. 
however, they aie totally different; the toes of the Toucan being - placed two before and two behind, while 
the foot of the Hornbill is of a broad palrnated form, with three large partially united toes before and a 
moie feebly developed one behind : still, although so nearly allied, the two groups constitute two distinct 
families, representing each other in tlie respective countries they inhabit; the Hornbills dwelling in Africa, 
India and its islands, and the Toucans in tropical America. South America then is the true habitat of 
this gioup, and the forests hordering the mighty Amazon the centre whence they diverge on either hand. 
It is there that we find the greatest number of species, and there every generic form is represented. From 
this central stronghold they range as far south as Paraguay and Bolivia; and their progress northward 
is not bounded by New Grenada, several species inhabiting the Isthmus which connects Southern with 
Central America, and two even extending their range as far as Mexico. The forests of the Andes and the 
Cordilleras also afford to several species a congenial place of abode. Some frequent the humid woods of 
the temperate regions, while others resort to the comparatively colder districts, and dwell at an elevation 
of from six to ten thousand feet; those inhabiting the lofty regions are generically different from those 
residing in the lowlands, and are clothed in a more thick and sombre-coloured plumage; all the members 
of the genus Andigena are thus distinguished, as well as by their bills being strong, heavy and hard when 
compared with those of the true Toucans and Aracaris, all of which have bills of a more delicate structure, 
and in several species so thin and elastic on the sides as to be compressible between the fingers. 
Considerable diversity of opinion exists as to the peculiar uses for which the dispi-oportionate bills of 
these birds are especially adapted, and as to the nature of the food upon which they subsist; some writers 
stating that they are strictly frugivorous, and that they never partake of animal food ; while others affirm 
that they are quite omnivorous: my own belief is that fruits are, strictly speaking, their natural food, but 
that occasionally, as is the case with the Parrots and many fruit-eating birds, animal food is necessary to 
their well-being, and is then freely eaten : I have had many opportunities of observing that such is the case 
in a state of confinement, in confirmation of which I would refer to the interesting account by Mr. Broderip 
given with the description of Ramphastos erythrorhynchus. In this semi-domesticated state they will even 
eat mice, caterpillars, small birds, and flesh of any kind, especially raw beef; and I have little doubt that 
they would also eat fish if offered to them: Humboldt states, indeed, that the Toucan loves to fish on the 
banks of rivers, and it was doubtless some report of this kind that induced Linnaeus to give the name of 
piscworus to a species of this family; but I apprehend that in this particular both these celebrated men have 
been misinformed, for, as I have before said, I have every reason to believe that in a state of nature fruit is 
their principal food, the larger species, such as the Toco and the other members of the restricted genus 
Ramphastos , feeding upon Bananas and other succulent kinds, while the Pteroglossi and the Toucanets 
mainly subsist upon the smaller fruits and berries. 
Many interesting notes respecting these birds have been published by travellers who have explored 
South America, and I cannot perhaps do better than give them in their own words; for although uncon- 
