w''aV^ -«.-. 



TlIK rAKTI-IOI.OTliE]) BAD BET.* 



Wo now come to tlic family termed I'h-i(la>, wliicli iucliulcs the barbets, the wood- 

 peckers, and the wrynecks, birds of true scansorial habits, climbing about the trunks and 

 larger branches of trees with great fticility, and feeding chiefly on such insects as secret 

 themselves cither in the crevices, beneatli the bark, or in tlie soft wood of decayed 

 trees. 



The Barbets are distinguished by their large conical beak, which appears, as it were, 

 swollen or puliod out at the sides of the base, and is bearded, from \\ hence the namc^ of 

 these birds is derived. The beak has five tufts of bristles, directed forwards. One of 

 these tufts is behind each nostril, one on either side of (he lower mandible, and the til'lli 

 is under tlie symjihysis. 



Tlieir short wings and heavy proportions do not admit of swift fiiglit ; and their prey 

 consists of insects and young birds, whicli they surpri^e^ and also of fruits. Their n(-s1s 

 arc generally built in the holes of trees. 



The sub-genus liiicvo, Cuvier, Capitu, Vieillot, embraces the true barbels, which have 

 the conical bill slightly compressed and a little elevated in the middle. Their plumage 

 is, generally speaking, gay ; and they are to be found both in Africa and Asia. During 

 tlie breeding sea.soii, they go iu jjairs, but the}' congregate in small flocks during 

 the remainder of the ycai-. Tlie butt-faced barbet f attbrds an example of the true 

 barbets. It may be obsciwed iu the JJritish ]\luseum ; its native place is uncertain. 



Hucco Viisiciilor. 



•f lilK'CO I.illllllMli. 



