The Toucans are a numerous race of South American birds, at once
recognizable by the prodigious size of their beaks and by the richness
of their plumage. "These birds are very common," says Prince Von Wied,
"in all parts of the extensive forests of the Brazils and are killed
for the table in large numbers during the cool seasons. Their eggs are
deposited in the hollow limbs and holes of the colossal trees, so common
in the tropical forests, but their nests are very difficult to find. The
egg is said to be white. They are very fond of fruit, oranges, guavas
and plantains, and when these fruits are ripe make sad havoc among the
neighboring plantations. In return for these depredations the planter
eats their flesh, which is very delicate."
The flight of these birds is easy and graceful, sweeping with facility
over the loftiest trees of their native forests, their strangely
developed bills being no encumbrance to them, replete as they are with a
tissue of air-filled cells rendering them very light and even buoyant.
On the ground they get along with a rather awkward hopping movement,
their legs being kept widely apart. In ascending a tree they do not
climb but mount from one branch to another with a series of jumps,
ascending to the tops of the very loftiest trees, safe from every
missile except a rifle ball. They have a habit of sitting on the
branches in flocks, lifting their bills, clattering them together, and
shouting hoarsely all the while, from which custom the natives call them
Preacher-birds. Sometimes the whole party, including the sentinel, set
up a simultaneous yell so deafeningly loud that it can be heard a mile.
They are very loquacious birds and are often discovered through their
perpetual chattering. Their cry resembles the word "Tucano," which has
given origin to the peculiar name.
When settling itself to sleep, the Toucan packs itself up in a very
systematic manner, supporting its huge beak by resting it on its back,
and tucking it completely among the feathers, while it doubles its tail
across its back just as if it moved on hinges. So completely is the
large bill hidden among the feathers, that hardly a trace of it is
visible in spite of its great size and bright color, so that the bird
when sleeping looks like a great ball of loose feathers.
Sir R. Owen concludes that the large beak is of service in masticating
food compensating for the absence of any grinding structures in the
intestinal tract.
Says a naturalist: "We turned into a gloomy forest and for some time saw
nothing but a huge brown moth, which looked almost like a bat on the
wing. Suddenly we heard high upon the trees a short shrieking sort of
noise ending in a hiss, and our guide became excited and said, "Toucan!"
The birds were very wary and made off. They are much in quest and often
shot at. At last we caught sight of a pair, but they were at the top of
such a high tree that they were out of range. Presently, when I had
about lost hope, I heard loud calls, and three birds came and settled in
a low bush in the middle of the path. I shot one and it proved to be a
very large toucan. The bird was not quite dead when I picked it up, and
it bit me severely with its huge bill."