Fig. 189.—Sulphur Cockatoos (Cacatua suiphurea, Wood).
Toucans.
The characteristic of the birds which compose the family of Toucans is their enormous beak. This is much longer than the head, is curved at its extremity, dentated at its edges, and possesses a projecting bone at the middle of the upper mandible. It is not so heavy to bear, and incommodes the movements of the birds less than might be supposed, for it is formed of a spongy tissue, the numerous cells of which are filled with air. Thus it is very weak, and does not serve to break, or even to bruise, fruits, notwithstanding the idea one forms at first sight of its strength, for it is not even capable of breaking off the bark of trees, as certain authors have urged. This wonderful bill encloses a still more strange tongue; very straight, and as long as the beak, which is covered on each side with closely-packed barbs, similar to a feather, the use of which remains a complete mystery to us. This curious instrument so struck the naturalists of Brazil, where many Toucans are found, that it furnished these birds with a name. In Brazilian Toucan means "feather."
Fig. 190.—Toucan (Ramphastos toco, native name).
Toucans feed on fruits and insects; they live in bands of from six to ten, in damp places where the palm tree flourishes, for its fruit is their favourite food. In eating they seize the fruit with the extremity of the beak, make it bounce up in the air, receive it then into the throat, and swallow it in one piece. If it is too large, and impossible to divide, they reject it. They are rarely seen on the ground, and although their flight is heavy and difficult, they perch on the branches of the highest trees, where they remain in ceaseless motion. Their call is a sort of whistle, frequently uttered. Very timid, they are approached with difficulty. During the breeding season they attack the weakest birds of their own race, chase them from their nests, and devour the eggs or nearly-hatched young ones which they enclose. They build their nests in holes hollowed out by Woodpeckers or other birds. They all have very brilliant plumage, and inhabit Paraguay, Brazil, and Guiana.
Fig. 191.—Yellow Toucan (Pteroglossus Humboldtii, Gould).
This family is divided into Toucans, properly speaking, and the Aracaris. These are distinguished from the former by their much less size, more solid beak, and longer tail. The most beautiful species of the family is the Brazilian Toucan, described by Humboldt under the name of Yellow Toucan ([Fig. 191]). The beautiful orange feathers which cover this bird are sometimes employed for ladies' dress. This fashion has passed from Brazil and Peru into Europe, and muffs made of the throats of Toucans sell at a great price.