24 THE TOUCAN.

at every season, and towards autumn particularly, in vast
numbers throughout the forest. Their large beaks give
them a very awkward appearance, more especially when
flying; yet in the trees they use them with as much
apparent ease as though they were to our eyes of a more
convenient form. Alighted on a tree, one usually acts
the part of a sentinel, uttering constantly the loud ery
-—Tucdno, whence they derive their name. The others
disperse over the branches, climbing about by aid of
their beaks, and seize the fruit. We had been told that
these birds were in the habit of tossing up their food
to a considerable distance, and catching it as it fell;
but as far as we could observe, they merely threw back
the head, allowing the fruit to fall down the throat. We
saw at different times tamed toucans, and they never
were seen to toss their food, although almost invariably
throwing back the head. This habit is rendered neces-
sary by the length of the bill, and the stiffness of the
tongue, which prevents their eating as do other birds.
All the time while feeding, a hoarse chattering is kept
up, and at intervals they unite with the noisy sentry,
and scream a concert that may be heard a mile. Having
appeased their appetites, they fly towards the deeper
forest, and quietly doze away the noon. Often in the
very early morning, a few of them may be seen sitting
silently upon the branches of some dead tree, apparently
awaiting the coming sunlight before starting for their feed-
ing-trees. ‘Toucans, when tamed, are exceedingly familiar,
playful birds, capable of learning as many feat« as any of
the parrots, with the exception of talking. When turning
about on their perch, they effect their object by one sudden
jump. They eat almost anything, but are particularly
fomd of meat.”