Birds - The Hornbill

( Originally Published 1894 )

The Hornbill is famous for the size and shape of its bill, which is very large. There are several varieties, African and Indian. They live mostly on fruit, though some are said to eat reptiles. They have some very curious habits. Mr. Wallace describes the habit of the male Hornbill of shutting up the female during, the period of incubation and feeding her through a small hole left open for the purpose.