On the Woodpeckers of the Ethiopian Region. 401 



in size certain members of the genus Hcemophila. In all 

 respects, however, it appears to be a true Peuccsa, though 

 not closely related to any of the known species. 



5. CoNTOPus ocHRACEUS, Scl. & Salv. 



This very strongly marked species is about the size and 

 form of C. lugubris, but is very different in its coloration, 

 which strongly suggests that of the little Empidonax fla- 

 vescens. 



6. PaNYPTILA CAYENNENSIS (Gm.), 



An exact miniature of P. sancti-hieronymi, Salvin, of the 

 Guatemalan highlands, the only difference, that I am able to 

 detect, consisting in its very much smaller size. 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 June 27tli, 1883. 



S-. XXXVII.— A^o^e^ on Woodpeckers.— "^o. IV. On the Wood- 

 peckers of the Ethiopian Region. By Edward Hargitt, 

 RZ.S. 



(Plate XII.) 



It may, perhaps, occur to ornithologists that, after Mal- 

 herbe's extensive monograph, there would be little to write 

 on the subject of the Woodpeckers of Africa; but the criti- 

 cisms in Professor SundevalFs ' Conspectus ' alone would 

 show that the work of the above-named author was not alto- 

 gether satisfactory ; while the vast increase in our knowledge 

 of African ornithology since Malherbe's time seems to me to 

 warrant the necessity of a fresh revision of the family, as far 

 as the Ethiopian Region is concerned. I may state at the 

 outset that I have not much additional information to give 

 on the South- African Woodpeckers, as these birds were the 

 object of very careful study by Mr. Sharpe in his edition of 

 Layard^s ' Birds of South Africa,' and I am enabled in most 

 cases to endorse the conclusions arrived at by the last-named 

 author. If Mr. Sharpe has worked out many of the families 

 of South- African birds in the same conscientious manner as 



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