Its bill, like that of its mate already observed, was of a yellowish-white, the upper mandible being reddish around the base, while the casque-like protuberance exhibited a mottled surface of white and black.
Ossaroo had to tell them pretty nearly all he knew in relation to this curious bird; for although there are several species of hornbills natives of India, it is by no means a common creature, even at home in its own country.
Karl could have told them much more about its species and habits, and no doubt he would have done so had they been otherwise engaged.

But situated as they were, with an angry elephant besieging them in the tree, and now for a while interested in observing the movements of the bird itself, Karl was in no humour to deliver an ornithological lecture.
He might have told them that ornithologists have differed much about the classification of the hornbill--some of them placing it among the toucans, while others assert that it belongs to the crow family.

Its immense beak--out of all proportion to its body--is not the only point of resemblance it bears to the toucans.

Like them, it flings its food into the air, catching and swallowing it as it comes down.

Unlike the toucans, however, it cannot climb trees, and is therefore not of the Scansorial order.