Among the characteristic members of the feathered tribe in these forests
are the jacamars, as they are found in no other part of the world. They
have straight, long, pointed bills, with a keel on the upper mandible.
Some species have only three toes, while others possess the usual number
of four. They live on insects, but in many respects resemble the
trogon; being even still less disposed to fly than they are. "Their
stupidity, indeed, in remaining at their posts, seated on low branches
in the shady parts of the forest, is somewhat remarkable in a country
where all other birds are exceedingly wary," observes Bates.
The green jacamar (galbula viridis) is a beautiful bird, about the size
of a lark; the upper parts of the body being generally of an exceedingly
brilliant, changeable green, glossed with copper-gold. The beak is two
inches long, black, slightly incurved, and sharp-pointed. The legs are
short and weak, of a greenish-yellow, and the claws black. It is a very
solitary bird, and delights to take refuge in the thickest parts of the
forest, where insects abound, and is seldom seen in company with others.
It has a short, quick flight, and a sweeter voice than most of its
feathered companions.
The paradise jacamar (galbula paradisea) frequents the more open parts
of the forest, and is generally found in pairs. It is a larger bird
than the former, being nearly a foot long. The prevailing plumage is
green, but the throat, front of the neck, and under wing-coverts are
white.
It seizes its food in the same way that the trogons do. It will sit
silent and motionless on a branch, moving its head slightly, and when an
insect passes by, within a short distance, it will fly off and seize it
with its long beak, and return again to its perch.
Most jacamars are clothed with a plumage of the most beautiful golden,
bronze, and steel colours. They bear a strong outward resemblance to
kingfishers, but are not further united to that group of birds. They
appear to have the same peculiar attachment to particular branches as
many humming-birds possess; and the spot can generally be discovered by
the number of legs and wings and hard cases of the insects they have
caught, and which they have plucked off before eating their victims.
The little three-toed jacamar possesses a few of the brilliant hues
which adorn his brethren.
The great or broad-billed jacamar is very like a kingfisher. The beak
is very broad, while the dilated ridge on the upper mandible is
distinctly curved. It feeds very much like the kingfisher,--darting
down from a branch to secure, with its bill, the active insects as they
fly by. It feeds exclusively on them, however, never attempting to
obtain food from the waters.