232 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



The Third Family, PICID^, or 

 Woodpeckers, 



have the bill generally lengthened, acute, and straight, with 

 the base more or less broad, and the sides much compressed 

 towards the tip, which is usually obtuse. 



The Sub-Family, CAPITONIN^, or Barbets, 



have the bill large, broad at the base, usually furnished with 

 bristles, and compressed towards the tip ; the tail generally 

 short, even, and the feathers rounded at the ends. 



Genus LAIMODON, Illiger. 

 Bill large, elevated, and broad at the base, with the culmen 

 arched, and the sides compressed towards the tip, which is 

 acute ; the lateral margins strongly and irregularly dentated ; 

 the nostrils basal, lateral, and concealed, and the base of both 

 mandibles furnished with long bristles; wings moderate, 

 with the third to the sixth quills nearly equal and longest ; 

 tail moderate, even ; tarsi as long as the outer toe, and 

 covered in front with broad scales ; toes unequal, the outer 

 pair equal, and the two anterior ones united to the first 

 joint ; claws short, compressed, and curved. 



463. Laimodon Leucomelas. (Bodd) pi. Eni., 



688, f. 1 ; Bucco Rujifrons, Steph. ; Bed-fronted 

 Barbet; P. Stephenii, Leach ; Le Barbu d Plastron 

 Foir, BufE ; Bucco Niger, Gmel. ; Shaw, Vol. IX., Pt. 

 1, P. 30 ; Le Vail. Barb., t. 29, 30, 31. 



Forehead crimson : from whence a black stripe passes over 

 the head, and down the back part of the neck to the back ; 

 sides of head, neck, and breast white ; the white on the side 

 of the head is diversified first by a streak of yellow, which is 

 placed over the eyes, and secondly by an irregular one of 

 black, that begins at the base of the upper mandible, and 

 divides the white into two parts, ending on the shoulders; 

 chin and fore parts of neck black ; upper parts of body, and 

 wings, brown and yellow mixed, the edges of the feathers 

 being generallj'^ fringed with yellow; rump pale bright yel- 

 low ; tail brown, with yellow margins. 

 South Africa (Shaw). — Sed non vidi. 



