AFRICAN OX-PECKER. 51 



The African Ox-Pecker W as observed by Monsr. 

 Adanson during his residence in Senegal, and a 

 .specimen was by him communicated to Monsr. 

 Brissson, who has, with his usual accuracy, de- 

 scribed it in his Ornithology. Its size is not 

 larger than that of a Lark, measuring about eight 

 inches and a half in length: its colour is rufous- 

 brown above, and dull yellowish- white beneath: 

 the bill is nearly an inch long, and of a yellowish 

 colour with a red tip: the tail is cuneated, all the 

 feathers being pointed at the end: the legs and 

 claws are brown. 



Monsr. Levaillant, who observed this bird in the 

 country of the Greater Namaquas, informs us that 

 it is usually seen in small flocks of six or eight to- 

 gether. It is extremely wild or shy, and will not 

 easily admit of a near approach: the strength of 

 its beak is very great, and well adapted to the 

 purpose of extracting larva? from the skin of cattle; 

 but it also feeds on various other insects. The 

 female differs from the male in being rather 

 smaller, and in having the bill of a paler cast. 



