The ARASSARI (_Pteroglossus aracari_), a native of Brazil, is principally
of a deep metallic green; the throat and head are black, the cheeks shaded
with brownish violet, and the lower breast and belly pale greenish yellow;
the rump, and a line along the centre of the belly, are red; the tail is
blackish green above and greyish green beneath. The eye is brown, the bare
places round the eyes are greyish black, the upper mandible is yellowish
white, with black culmen and mouth-corners, while the lower portion of the
bill is black, edged with white; the legs are greenish grey. This species
is seventeen inches long; the wing measures six, and the tail six and a
half inches.
[Illustration: THE TOCO TOUCAN (_Ramphastus toco_).]
The Arassari, as we learn from the Prince von Wied, inhabits the primitive
forests of Brazil, and closely resembles the Toucan in its habits; during
the period of incubation it lives in pairs, but at other seasons in small
parties, which fly over the face of the country in search of the fruits
upon which they mainly subsist. Their flight, which resembles that of the
Toucan, is undulatory and very rapid. When perched on the summits of high
trees, they constantly repeat the two short notes that form their cry,
and whisk with the tail after the manner of the Common Jay. The nest is
made in a hollow tree, and contains two eggs. Towards many birds of prey,
especially Owls, the Arassaris exhibit much hostility, and frequently
assemble to harry and annoy them as they sit droning away the bright hours
of daylight. The flesh of this species is good food, and they become
very fat during the winter. Burmeister, who affirms that the Arassaris
do not confine themselves to a fruit diet, but freely eat insects and
beetles, describes their appearance and movement among the trees as
closely resembling those of a party of Parrots. Bates mentions that on one
occasion, when descending a gully, having fired at one of these birds,
as it sat apparently alone upon the bough of a lofty tree, he was much
startled to find his victim's cry of pain answered by the simultaneous
appearance of a large number of its terrified companions. In the twinkling
of an eye every branch was occupied; and the birds, indignant at being
thus roused from their repose, fluttered, shrieked, and flapped their
wings like so many furies, in defiance of the unwelcome intruder. All
attempts to capture any of the belligerents proved fruitless, for the
cries of their dying associate had no sooner ceased than they retired as
suddenly as they had appeared, and immediately ensconced themselves in
some unseen but safe retreat within their leafy fastnesses.
* * * * *
The TOUCANS PROPER (_Ramphastus_) are at once recognisable by the
extraordinary size of their curved beak, which is very thick at its base,
compressed at its tip, and furnished with a sharp ridge at its culmen.
The high, powerful legs are covered with large flat scales, the tarsi are
short, and the toes long; the small, broad, rounded tail, is composed of
feathers of equal length; the wings are short, and the fourth and fifth
quills longer than the rest; a black gloss predominates in the coloration
of the plumage, enlivened by red, white, or yellow patches on the throat,
back, and wings. All the various species of these birds live in pairs,
within the shade of the forest, only exceptionally congregating into small
parties, and never venturing near the abodes of man.