Jacamars

Jacamars, a small family of brilliantly-coloured birds (Galbulidæ), inhabiting dense forests in tropical America east of the Andes. They are apparently dull and stupid, like their near relatives the Puff-birds (Bucconidæ). The bill is long and usually straight, the feet are short and feeble, the front toes are united for some distance, the plumage exhibits a rich metallic splendour. They feed on insects. The white eggs (two) are laid in holes excavated in sandy banks. Technically this family, including about a score of species, is ranked among the Picariæ, subdivision Picoideæ, beside the puff-birds, and at a greater distance toucans and woodpeckers. The type is Galbula galbula, resplendent in golden green; Jacamerops grandis is the largest species; the members of the genus Urogalba shine like black steel.