[280] No satisfactory explanation has ever been offered of the immense size, and still less of the bright colours, of the toucan’s beak. Mr. Bates (‘The Naturalist on the Amazons,’ vol. ii. 1863, p. 341) states that they use their beak for reaching fruit at the extreme tips of the branches; and likewise, as stated by other authors, for extracting eggs and young birds from the nests of other birds. But as Mr. Bates admits, the beak “can scarcely be considered a very perfectly-formed instrument for the end to which it is applied.” The great bulk of the beak, as shewn by its breadth, depth, as well as length, is not intelligible on the view, that it serves merely as an organ of prehension.
[281] Ramphastos carinatus, Gould’s ‘Monograph of Ramphastidæ.’
[282] On Larus, Gavia, and Sterna, see Macgillivray, ‘Hist. Brit. Birds,’ vol. v. p. 515, 584, 626. On the Anser hyperboreus, Audubon, ‘Ornith. Biography,’ vol. iv. p. 562. On the Anastomus, Mr. Blyth, in ‘Ibis,’ 1867, p. 173.
[283] It may be noticed that with vultures, which roam far and wide through the higher regions of the atmosphere, like marine birds over the ocean, three or four species are almost wholly or largely white, and many other species are black. This fact supports the conjecture that these conspicuous colours may aid the sexes in finding each other during the breeding-season.
[284] ‘The Journal of Travel,’ edited by A. Murray, vol. i. 1868, p. 286.
[285] See Jerdon on the genus Palæornis, ‘Birds of India,’ vol. i. p. 258-260.
[286] The young of Ardea rufescens and A. cærulea of the U. States are likewise white, the adults being coloured in accordance with their specific names. Audubon (‘Ornith. Biography,’ vol. iii. p. 416; vol. iv. p. 58) seems rather pleased at the thought that this remarkable change of plumage will greatly “disconcert the systematists.”
[287] I am greatly indebted to the kindness of Mr. Sclater for having looked over these four chapters on birds, and the two following ones on mammals. By this means I have been saved from making mistakes about the names of the species, and from giving any facts which are actually known to this distinguished naturalist to be erroneous. But of course he is not at all answerable for the accuracy of the statements quoted by me from various authorities.
[288] See Waterton’s account of two hares fighting, ‘Zoologist,’ vol. i. 1843, p. 211. On moles, Bell, ‘Hist. of British Quadrupeds,’ 1st edit. p. 100. On squirrels, Audubon and Bachman, ‘Viviparous Quadrupeds of N. America,’ 1846, p. 269. On beavers, Mr. A. H. Green, in ‘Journal of Lin. Soc. Zoolog.’ vol. x. 1869, p. 362.
[289] On the battles of seals, see Capt. C. Abbott in ‘Proc. Zool. Soc.’ 1868, p. 191; also Mr. R. Brown, ibid. 1869, p. 436; also L. Lloyd, 'Game Birds of Sweden,’ 1867, p. 412; also Pennant. On the sperm-whale, see Mr. J. H. Thompson, in ‘Proc. Zool. Soc.’ 1867, p. 246.