AO2 
AFRICAN 
_ BEEF-EATER. 
BEEF-EATER. 
- 
Genus X BEEF-EATER. 
Buphaga Africana, Ind. Orn. i. p. 147. 10 
Pic-boenf d’ Afrique, Levazll. Oi/. pl, 97-—Daudin. Orn. il. p. 294. pl. 22. 
African Beef-eater, Gen. Syn. i. p. 359. i. tab. 12. 
ITHERTO we have heard of this bird only as a native of Senegal; 
but M. Levaillant affures us that he has met with it in the 
country of the great Namaquas, near Caffraria, and that it coincides 
much with the Starling in point of manners, forming itfelf into fmall 
troops, of a dozen or more in each, alighting on the backs of oxen, 
antelopes, and other quadrupeds, where by preffing the elevated part 
of the hide of the animal, containing the larve of the oefrus, it forces 
it out, to the great relief of the animal, enjoying itfelf a delicate 
repaft. » Befides thefe, the bird is faid to feed on various kinds of in- 
fects. It has a fharp kind of cry, by no means approaching to any 
thing like what may be termed a fong. 
