Notwithstanding the prejudices which are entertained, by many farmers, against these birds, arising from a supposition that they feed upon grain, and consequently are destructive to the crops, there can be little doubt that the services they perform are infinitely greater than any injury they commit. Often may flocks of them be seen following at a little distance the ploughs, to devour the grubs or caterpillars of such insects as may be thereby exposed to their attacks. These of the cockchafer are destroyed by them in thousands; and it is remarkable that the nostrils, chin, and sides of the mouth, in old rooks, are white, and bared of feathers, in consequence, as it is supposed, of their frequent habit of thrusting their bill into the ground in search of these insects. The late Mr. Stillingfleet was informed, by an intelligent farmer in Berkshire, that, one year, while his men were hoeing a field of turnips, a great number of rooks alighted in a part of it where they were not at work; and that the consequence was a remarkably fine crop in that part, while in the remainder of the field there were scarcely any turnips. Young rooks are sometimes used as food; but it is requisite to skin them, previously to their being cooked, as otherwise they would be too strong-tasted to be eaten. 132. _The RED-BELLIED TOUCAN_ (Ramphastos picatus) _is a bird about twenty inches in length, with an enormously large bill of yellowish green colour, and serrated at the edges; the upper part of the body blackish, the breast yellow, and the belly and the tip of the tail red._ _This bird is found in Africa, and in several of the eastern parts of South America._ We are assured, by travellers in South America, that the red-bellied toucans are held in great esteem by the Indians, not only on account of their _flesh_ as food, but also for their _plumage_; particularly the feathers of the breast, which are used to ornament their dresses. The Indians even cut out the skin of this part, with the feathers on, and, after it has been dried, glue it to their cheeks, considering it a great addition to their beauty. We are informed by one of the French voyagers that, whilst he was off the island of St. Catherine, near the coast of Brazil, the governor, among other presents, sent on board the ship fifty skins of toucans which had been dried with the feathers on. 133. _The BIRD of PARADISE_ (Paradisea apoda, Fig. 32) _is characterized by its having a chesnut-coloured body, the neck being of a gold green colour beneath, the feathers of the sides being longer than the body, and the two middle tail-feathers very long and bristly._ _These birds inhabit New Guinea and the adjacent islands of Aroo; being found on the former in the fine, and the latter in the rainy seasons._