eak 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."

THE RED-RUMPED TANAGER.

I have just been singing my morning song, and I wish you could have
heard it. I think you would have liked it.

I always sing very early in the morning. I sing because I am happy, and
the people like to hear me.

My home is near a small stream, where there are low woods and underbrush
along its banks.

There is an old dead tree there, and just before the sun is up I fly to
this tree.

I sit on one of the branches and sing for about half an hour. Then I fly
away to get my breakfast.

I am very fond of fruit. Bananas grow where I live, and I like them best
of all.

I eat insects, and sometimes I fly to the rice fields and swing on the
stalks and eat rice.

The people say I do much harm to the rice, but I do not see why it is
wrong for me to eat it, for I think there is enough for all.

I must go now and get my breakfast. If you ever come to see me I will
sing to you.

I will show you my wife, too. She looks just like me. Be sure to get up
very early. If you do not, you will be too late for my song.

* * *

"Birds, Birds! ye are beautiful things,
With your earth-treading feet and your clou