SCANSORES. 215 



upper mandible but slightly arcuated, and the nostrils pierced obliquely in the middle of each side of 

 it. Their tail consists of twelve feathers ; and they nestle in holes of trees like the preceding, and 

 inhabit forests. It is said that they are principally frngivorous. 



[They are closely related to the Puff-birds of America, and like them produce only two eggs, and have the first 

 and fourth toes directed laterally, enabling them to perch lengthwise.] 



The Honey-guides {Indicator, Vaillant) — 

 Are birds of South Africa that feed on honey, and which are celebrated for guiding the natives to 

 the nests of wild Bees, enticing them to the spot by flitting before them, and reiterating a peculiar 

 cry ; [they also, however, lead them in like manner to where a beast of prey lies concealed]. Their 

 beak is short, high, and nearly conical, like that of a Sparrow. There are twelve tail-feathers ; and 

 the tail is at the same time wedge-shaped and a little forked. Their skin, singularly tough, protects 

 them from the stings of Bees ; which latter, however, continually tormenting them, sometimes kill 

 them by attacking the eyes. 



[These curious birds are most nearly allied to the Woodpeckers, and climb trees in the same manner, having 

 similar feet and claws. Their colours are sombre, and, contrary to what occurs in all the Cuckoo tribe, there is a 

 distinct accessory plume to their feathers. They lay several pure white eggs in the holes of trees, precisely like 

 those of the Woodpeckers.] 



The Barbacous (Monasa, Yieillot) — 

 Have the beak conical, a little compressed, lengthened, slightly arcuated towards the tip, and anned at 

 its base with stiff bristles or barbless plumes, which approximate them to the Barbets, [or rather to 

 the Puff-birds, which the author ranges with the Barbets, like which they have also twelve tail-fea- 

 thers, and the first and fourth toes directed laterally. The sternum resembles that of a Cuckoo, but 

 with a small second emargination. 



These birds have blackish plumage, and generally coral-red bills. Their habits are precisely the 6ame as those 

 of the Putt'-birds, which they further resemble in laying two eggs in holes, and in being peculiar to America.] 



The Mai.kohas {Phoenicophceus, Yieillot) — 

 Have a very thick bill, round at its base, and arched towards the tip, [somewhat as in the Toucans], 

 with a great naked space round the eyes. Some have round nostrils, placed near the base of the bill, 

 while in others they are narrow, and situate near its edges. They are natives of Ceylon [and other 

 warm parts of the eastern hemisphere], and live, it is said, principally on fruits. 



Certain species of them should probably be distinguished, that have the beak less thick, and no bare 

 space round the eyes. 



The Rain-fowl (Scythrops, Latham) — 

 Have the beak still longer and thicker than in the Malkohas, and furrowed on each side with two 

 shallow longitudinal groves: their nostrils are round, and the space surrounding t ; eyes naked. The 

 beak approaches that of the Toucans [in its superficies only], but the tongue is not ciliated as in 

 those birds. 



Only one is known, the Australian Rain-fowl {Scr. australatia, Shaw), B grey bird of the tize of a trow, whitish 

 and a little barred underneath. [Its sternal apparatus and digestive organs resemble I of the European 



Cuckoo, as do also its system of coloration, and the structure of its feathers. Mode of propagation unknov. n . 



The Barbets (Bucco, Lin.) — 

 Have a thick conical beak, bulged on the sides of its base, with five overlying bundles of still' bristles 

 directed forwards ; one behind each nostril, another on each side of the base of the lower mandible, 

 and the fifth placed at its symphysis. Their wings are short, and their proportions and flight rather 

 heavy. Tiny subsist on insects, and attack smaller birds; occasionally feeding on fruit : nestle in the 

 holes of trees. 



They require to be divided into three subgenera. 



Tin. BaBBICANS {Poyonias, Illigcr) — 

 Have one or two strong domiciliations on each side of the upper mandible, the ridge of which is 

 arcuated and obtuse, [and the sides marked with transverse grooves]. Their bristl rj stent. 



They inhabit Africa and India, and feed more on fruit than the Othi 



[Th< species are not numerous, and are generally black variegated with crimson. The compressive force of their 

 beak is ut able ; and they seldom climb.] 



