420 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
on and amongst the cattle, which are at first alarmed, and run about 
in wild confusion just as they do when troubled with gadflies; but 
their apprehensions are soon dispelled and exchanged for sensations 
of evident pleasure as the Ox-peckers run over their backs, sides, and 
bellies, like Woodpeckers upon trees, except when an ox, by an 
occasional jerk or sudden twist, appears to indicate that the claws of 
the bird have caused something like pain by touching some spot 
where the skin of the animal happens to be tender.” 
Greyish-brown; rump, breast, and body beneath, pale fulvous ; 
lateral tail-feathers ferruginous, shafts strong, and somewhat rigid ; 
bill orange; tip red. Length, 93; wing, 4}. The iris in the 
male is deep orange, and in the female orange-yellow. Mr. Andersson 
mentions a specimen in which the iris was greyish-green, and the 
bill dark horn-colour. 
Fig. Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afr. pl. 97. 
401. Buprwaca rrytarorurncna, Stanley. Red-billed Ox-pecker. 
Our friend the late Mr. Jules Verreaux was the first to affirm the 
occurrence of this bird in South Africa, having received it from 
Natal, where it was subsequently obtained by Mr. T. Ayres. 
Mr. R. 8. Fellowes procured the species at 8. Lucia Bay, where he 
found it not uncommon; its flight reminded him of that of the 
European Missel-thrush. Senor Anchieta has met with it at 
Katumbella in Benguela. 
Mr. Ayres has given the following note :—“ These are amongst the 
useful birds of Natal; their food consists entirely of Acari or ticks, 
which taey pick from the cattle. They run and climb all over an 
ox, much as a Woodpecker would about the stem of a tree. The 
cattle, for the most part, much enjoy the operation, and may be seen 
with tail partially extended, standing perfectly motionless whilst the 
birds are picking amongst the crevices of their ears, where the ticks 
generally adhere in the greatest numbers. These birds are mostly 
seen in small companies, varying from three to ten ; their flight is 
rather heavy; their notes are harsh, but not loud. The head is 
carried with the bill pointed upwards.” _) 
Above, grey-brown ; tail brown; the inner web of the external 
feathers rufescent; wing-feathers black; beneath, pale fulyous; 
throat grey; bill red. Length, 83; wing, 4” 5’". Irides reddish- 
orange with white outside ring. 
