Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume VIII.djvu/838

 nORNBILL a tree of the genus ostrya (the ancient classical name), closely related to carpinus in botanical characters ; in this the bracts of the fertile aments are tubular, and at maturity each be- comes a closed, bladdery, oblong bag, enclo- sing a smooth nut; these bag-like involucres together form a sort of strobile, in size and ap- pearance so like that of the hop as to justify the common name. The tree, which has the same geographical range as the American hornbeam, never attains a large size, and bears a strong general resemblance to the black birch in manner of growth and the shape of its leaves ; it is a handsome tree when in fruit, and is worthy of the attention of those plant- ing for ornament. The wood has the same general character as that of the hornbeam, is used for the same purposes, and like that is called ironwood. The European hop horn- beam (0. vulgaris), a native of southern Eu- rope, so closely resembles our native tree that some have supposed that they may be forms of the same species. IIORNBILL (buceros, Linn.), a genus of coni- rostral birds of Africa and the East Indies, of the family fiucerotidce. The principal genus buceros is characterized by an enormous bill, long, broad, curved, surmounted by helmet- like prominences of various sizes and shapes, with compressed sides and acute tip ; the lat- eral margins are more or less jagged and ser- rated in the adult ; the nostrils are basal, lat- eral, and small; the wings are rather short, with the third quills nearly as long as the fourth and fifth, which are equal and longest ; tail long and broad, more or less graduated ; tarsi short, robust, covered in front by large transverse scales; toes broad and long, and united at the base so as to form a kind of sole ; the hind toe large and flat, giving a firm sup- port in their leaping mode of progression; claws long, curved, and sharp. The face and throat are more or less naked, sometimes with a gular pouch ; above the eyes are a few bris- tly hairs, like lashes ; the tongue is small and cartilaginous. Nearly 40 species are described, in which the bill, always large, has a great di- versity of form, varying in its protuberances according to age ; bulky though it be, it is of a light and cellular structure, and by no means the formidable weapon its size would indicate ; its awkward shape and slight mechanical sup- port render it difficult for the bird to manage except for seizing objects requiring slight force ; its thin edges, broken by use, undergo a constant process of repair. Most of the spe- cies are of large size ; they are observed singly or in parties, in the dense jungles and woods, perched on the highest branches, especially on decayed limbs near rivers; they feed upon pulpy fruits, small quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, and insects, which they crush with the bill, and, after tossing them into the air, swallow whole ; when hard pressed they will not refuse carri- on. The flight is heavy and straight, general- ly at a considerable height, and accompanied by a remarkable noise ; the cries are hoarse croaks or harsh screams ; the nest is hollowed in a decayed tree, and the eggs are about four. The largest species is the rhinoceros hornbill (JB. rhinoceros, Linn.), nearly 4 ft. long, with an expanse of wings of about 3 ft. ; the bill is Bhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros). nearly a foot long, the upper mandible having a recurved prominence like a rhinoceros horn, giving the head the appearance of being top- heavy; the general color is black, the tail being tipped with dirty white ; the bill is black at the base, reddish in the middle, and light yellow at the point. It is a stupid and cowardly bird, seldom showing any vivacity except when in search of food ; it is found in Ked-billed Hornbill (Buceros erythrorhynchus). India and its archipelago, and is common in collections of natural history ; it is voracious, and in captivity is decidedly omnivorous. The red-bitted hornbill (B. erythrorhynchus, Temm.), a native of Africa, like the rest of the genus, breeds in hollow trees ; it occupies