612 THREMMAPHILUS COW-BIRD. 



would not be small. This, it is obvious, is mere trifling. He 

 then suggests Pecuarius^ and informs us that M. Brehm uses 

 Boscis : — both ill-constructed names. I have therefore chosen 

 Thremmaphilus, a name compounded of ^^=fA/Ma, cattle, and p/Xog, 

 friend. 



The Thremmaphili are represented as resembling the Star- 

 lings in their mode of life, and, according to M. Temminck, 

 " follow cattle even more assiduously, perch on their backs to 

 pick the acari and ticks attached to their skin, flock upon 

 dung ; and also feed on large insects, such as grasshoppers." 

 According to authors, they resemble the Starlings in their 

 habits, nestle in the holes of trees, in crevices of rocks, and on 

 old buildings, and inhabit various parts of Asia and Africa. 

 Some of them, as Thremmaphilus Pagodarum, are remarkable 

 for their vocal powers. 



