Page:The naturalist on the River Amazons 1863 v2.djvu/363

 had stolen him, and which was situated at the further end of the village.

The Curl-crested Toucan (Pteroglossus Beauharnaisii).—Of the four smaller Toucans or Arassarís found near Ega, the Pteroglossus flavirostris is perhaps the most beautiful in colours, its breast being adorned with broad belts of rich crimson and black; but the most curious species, by far, is the Curl-crested, or Beauharnais Toucan. The feathers on the head of this singular

bird are transformed into thin, horny plates, of a lustrous black colour, curled up at the ends, and resembling shavings of steel or ebony wood: the curly crest being arranged on the crown in the form of a wig. Mr. Wallace and I first met with this species, on ascending the Amazons, at the mouth of the Solimoens; from that point it continues as a rather common bird on the terra firma, at least on the south side of the river, as far as Fonte Boa, but I did not hear of its being found further to the west. It appears in large