RAMPHASTOS DICOLORUS, Linne.

Red-breasted Toucan.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Ramph. rostro luteo, marginibus serratis rubris, fascia lata basali nigra : ater chalybeo splendens ;

pectore aurantiaco, lined sulphured cincto ; abdomine caudceque tectricibus coccineis.

Beak greenish yellow with red serrated edges, the base of both mandibles surrounded by a broad
band of black; naked skin round the eye red; the upper parts of the body, wings, tail,
thighs and vent, black with steel blue reflections; centre of the breast bright orange
encircled by a band of delicate primrose yellow ; the belly, upper and under tail-coverts
rich scarlet red; feet and legs blueish lead colour.

Total length, from 14 to 17 inches; length of dz// from 2% to 33, breadth at base 14; wing, 7;

tail, 6%; tarsus, 14.

Ramphastos dicolorus. Gm. Linn., p. 556. Lath., Ind. Orn., p. 135.2. Turton, vol. 1. p.211.
Swains., Zool. Ilus., vol. 2. pl. 108. Jard. & Selby, Illus. of Orn., vol. 1. pl. xxix.

Yellow-throated Toucan. Lath., Syn., 1. 325., Gen. Hist. Birds, vol. 2. p. 282. Turton, vol. 1.
pelt Brsson, Orn: tom. 4p! 40t plesit tf t Button; el: Enl., 269.

Le petit Toucan a ventre rouge. Le Vaill., Hist. Nat. des Toucans, pl. 8.

Le Tucat. Azar., Voy., 3. p.143.n.51. Wagler, Syst. Avium.

Ramphastos Tucai. Lichtenst., Catal., p. 7.

Ramphastos chlororhynchus. 'Temm., Man. dOrn.

OrnituoLoeists of the present day are induced to consider the bird here figured as referrible to the
Ramphastos dicolorus of Linnzus; and without venturing to question the accuracy of this opinion, it must
nevertheless be observed that the specific term is somewhat inapplicable to a bird possessing three decided
and conspicuous colours. This species has been illustrated by Sir W. Jardine and Mr. Selby, in their valuable
‘Tlustrations of Ornithology,” as a typical example of the true Toucans; in which publication will also be
found a somewhat lengthened description, as well as an account of the general habits and manners, of the
species comprising this family.

The Ramphastos dicolorus may be readily distinguished from all other species by several prominent characters.
It is the smallest of the genus, and in the colour and development of the bill much variety exists.

To the want of opportunity of examining a series of specimens at one time may be attributed the confusion
in the nomenclature with respect to this bird. I am fully persuaded, however, that these changes are entirely
attendant on age, sex, or season. The females have always the shorter bill and rather less brilliant colouring,
offering also in stature the same disproportion, independent of which no other external differences are to be
discovered, and these even are so trifling as scarcely to indicate the female without actual dissection.

The young bird, which is represented in the lower figure, is barely arrived at that period at which it is
capable of providing for its own wants; the bill at this age is extremely delicate in texture, and is so soft and
yielding as to require food of the most pulpy and nutritious nature, in all probability fruits, larvae of insects, &c.
Even at this youthful stage the plumage has assumed its perfect colouring, and the tints are scarcely less
brilliant than those of the adult: in this particular the family of Ramphastide closely resemble the Fissirostral
birds, and like them lay white eggs, and incubate in holes or dark recesses.

The present species is extensively spread over the Brazils. It has been received from Rio de Janeiro,
Bahia, and Paraguay.