2-798-561 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Toucan, at the Surrey Zoological Gardens, 1844. 'It is one of a class - the Ramphastidoe - so little known in this country, that only one living specimen was ever imported. Our bird is known to zoologists as the Ramphastos Toco, but by the marvel-loving sailor, he is called the Preaching Toucan, from the incessant "palaver" with which he cheers his native solitude - the virgin forest of South America. In his present confinement he has shown himself to be a docile, contented, and, in some respects, humorous, fellow - playing very strange pranks for the accommodation of his enormous bill...His plumage is of the gaudy and striking character...being made up of blue and white patches, edged here and there with yellow and little iridescent spots of lustrous beauty. In his instincts he is a very gluttonous bird, and longs to be chopping up large butterflys and humming-birds by the dozens'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol V.