CHARACTERISTIC BIRDS. 
201 
them alone; they sip the nectar, and inhabit only those 
* 
heavenly zones where blossom follows upon blossom in 
an everlasting spring.” It would seem scarcely necessary, 
after speaking of these, to mention other birds charac¬ 
teristic of South America, and yet I must not pass them 
all by in silence. These that follow are peculiar to that 
continent: Jacamars ( Galbula ) and Puff-birds ( Bucco ); 
the Trogons are more perfectly developed here than in 
any other country, and the Trogon may be regarded 
perhaps as the most beautiful bird in the world; 
add to these several Cuckoos, and among them the well- 
known Ani (Crotophaga ani ), which must be mentioned 
before any others. In South America we find the Toucans 
(Ramphastos), those singular creatures which may very 
well be compared with the Hornbills of the Old World; 
there are many singular Pigeons here : the Tinamous 
(Grypturus ), the different Guans ( Penelope , Ortalida , 
Oreophasianus ), and the Curassows ( Hokos , Crax) . The 
Ehea (Rhea) here fills the place of the Ostrich of 
the Old World; amongst Bails are found the note¬ 
worthy Screamers ( Palamedea ); amongst Herons and 
Storks, the Boat-bill, Trumpeter, and Cariama {Can- 
croma , Psophia, Dicholophus); the unassuming Spoonbill 
of the Old World is here replaced by one dressed 
in a lovely rose-colour; while our Swan with its 
uniform colour is here represented by one with a black 
neck and white body ( Cygnus nigricollis ); among the 
Pelicans, Cormorants, and Barters, we find the Frigate- 
bird. Richness, exuberance, and splendour, characterize 
America; alongside of the beautiful and the brilliant are 
found the abnormal and the singular, and these are often 
united in one and the same creature. 
If, in accordance with recent views, we regard all the 
