BUCEROTID.E 



LOPHOCEROS 



109 



All the birds of this genus, so far as is yet known, nest in hollow 

 trees, the female being imprisoned by the plastering up of the 

 entrance-hole until incubation is completed. 



Twenty-two species, all confined to Africa, are recognised by 

 Shelley ; of these six are found within South African limits. 



FIG. 3G. Foot of Lophoceros melanoleiicus. x {. 



Key of the Species. 



- 1 . Without a white streak down the centre 

 of the back. 



a. Outer tail-feathers slightly tipped with 



white, wing-coverts unspotted L. melanoleucus, p. 110. 



b. Outer tail-feathers white with black 



bases only, wing-coverts spotted with 



white L. monteiri, p. 113. 



B. With a white streak down the centre of 

 the back. 



c. Outer tail-feathers slightly tipped with 



white, lower mandible with diagonal 



yellow lines L. epirliinus, p. 114. 



<l. Outer tail-feathers white except at the 

 bases. 



