174 



THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



edges to the feathers ; no sex-difference or seasonal 



change. Young browner than adult. 

 Young. — Helpless at first, apparently, but they seem 



to run about fairly early. 

 Nest. — On the ground. 

 Eggs. — White. 

 Food. — Fish and aquatic reptiles, also the entrails of 



dead animals. 

 Gait. — A walk. 

 Flight. — High and powerful. 

 Note. — A clattering of the beak. 

 Disposition and Habits. — Sociable; frequenting 



marshes. 

 Economic Qualities. — Probably useful as a scavenger. 

 Captivity. — The species was exhibited in i860 in the 



London Zoological Gardens, and recently at those 



of Cairo. 

 Distribution and Important Species. — One species 



only {Balaeniceps rex) is known, from the country 



watered by the Upper White Nile. 



Woodpeckers {Picidce). 



Diagnosis. — Tree-birds, with straight beak of medium 

 thickness and toes in pairs, or one only behind. 



Size. — From that of a crow to that of a tit. 



Form. — Bill of medium length and stoutness, straight 

 or very slightly curved, usually compressed and 

 chisel-tipped, corner of mouth coming half-way to 

 eye ; feet with short shanks and strong sharp 

 curved claws, two toes in front and usually two 

 behind, sometimes only one behind, the inner hind 

 or first toe being in some cases rudimentary or 

 wanting ; wings of medium length or short ; tail 

 medium or short, usually very stiff and serving 

 as a support. Head large, neck rather long m 



