4060 CORACIIFORMES CHAP. 
most abundant in the Indian and Neotropical Regions, several 
forms occurring in the Antilles. ‘ 
Geocolaptes olivaceus, an olive-coloured bird with whitish 
marks on the wings and tail, crimson rump, and crimson-washed 
abdomen, is common in the Cape Colony and Natal, and is re- 
markable for nesting in holes in banks or mud-huts: it feeds 
upon the ground, and family-parties are stated by Mr. Layard to 
keep together until the following breeding-season. Similar habits 
have been observed in Colaptes agricola of the Argentine Republic 
and Patagonia, in timberless districts; but, as the trees grow, it 
recurs to its natural habits. C. auratus, the golden-winged 
Flicker of North America, has a phase (C. mexicanus) found west 
of the Rocky Mountains and in Mexico, with red coloration of 
the wings in place of yellow, intermediate races occurring in the 
intervening regions; considerable controversy has consequently 
arisen as to whether hybridization has taken place, or whether this 
is a case of specialized forms of a generalized ancestor, due to 
climatic or other causes. The colour above is dove-brown with 
black streaks; the head being lead-coloured with a crimson band 
on the nape, the rump white, the lower throat black, the under 
parts pinkish-brown with round black spots, and the wings strongly 
washed with yellow on both surfaces. The bill is more arched and 
less wedge-shaped than usual. The food consists of fruit, wood- 
lice, ants, and so forth, much of which is procured upon the earth. 
Gecinus viridis, our well-known Green Woodpecker, Yaffle, or 
Rain-bird, the “laugh” of which is supposed to predict wet 
weather, is a green bird with yellow rump and red head; the 
habits being those common to the whole group, though a certain 
preference is shewn for feeding on the ground or on ant-hills. 
It ranges throughout Europe to Asia Minor and Persia, while 
other nearly allied forms, differing in their black occiputs or scarlet 
rumps, extend over nearly the whole Eastern Palaearctic and 
Indian Regions. Chloronerpes is a Central and South American 
genus of smaller birds, among which C. rubiginosus has golden- 
rufous upper parts, with a red nape, and yellowish under surface 
crossed by dark bars. Akin to this is the Ethiopian Campethera, 
C. punctata being yellow, olive, and brown above, with a crimson 
head, and yellow below with small black spots. Chrysophlegma 
extends from the Himalayas to China and the Malay Islands. 
C. flavinucha is about the size of the Green Woodpecker, but 
