CLASS II. AVES: ORDER 2. PASSERKS. 



95 



TiUi BUCCO VERSICOLOR. 



THE RED-THROATED TAMATIA. 



THE BUCCOS, BARBETS, OR PUFF-BIRDS. 



In this group the bill is very stout and conical, and inflated at the base, which is furnished 

 ■.vith several tufts of strong bristles; the tip of the upper mandible is curved or hooked ; the nos- 

 trils are concealed by the plumes and bristles of the forehead ; the toes are arranged in pairs, in 

 the same way as in the scansorial birds, with which they were formerly placed. The name of 

 Fuf-Birdsis applied to them from the manner in which their plumage is puffed out, a character 

 which gives them a dull, heavy appearance. This aspect is in accordance with their mode of life, 

 as they are solitary and melancholy birds, inhabiting the recesses of the forests of tropical Amer- 

 ica, where they perch upon the branches of trees to look out for the insects which constitute their 

 food. They are said to perch in the same spot for montlis together. They also occasionally 

 creep upon the bark of trees in search of insects, supporting themselves with the tail-feathers when 

 in this position, like the woodpeckers. They nestle in holes of trees. There are several genera 

 and many species. 



The Genus BUCCO : Biicco, includes tlie Buff-faced Barbet, B. chri/sopoffon, which is of gi'ay 

 plumage, lives in small flocks, and is found in Africa and Asia ; also, the B. versicolor, found in 

 Sumatra. 



The Genus BARBICAN : Laimodon ; this name indicates the resemblance in the species both 

 to the Barbets and the Toucans: the Barbary Barbican, L. duhius — Pogonkis major of Cuvier 

 — IS black above and red beneath ; the flanks yellow. It is an exceedingly brilliant bird. 



Genus BARBACOU : Monasa. — The species of this are of solitary and sedentary habits, and 

 resemble the cuckoos. The White-faced Barbacou of Brazil, M. per sonata, is one of the best 

 known species. It is of the size of a thrush. 



The Genus TAMATIA : Tamatia, includes the Pied Barbet, T. macrorhynchos. Swainson 

 says: "There is something very grotesque in the appearance of all the puff-birds, and their habits 

 in a state of nature are no less singular. They fi-equent open, cultivated spots near habitations, 

 always perching on the withered branches of a low tree, where they will sit nearly motionless for 

 hours, unless indeed they descry some luckless insect passing near them, at which they immedi- 

 ately dart, returning again to the identical twig they had just left, and which they will sometimes 



