474 



SCANSOEES, OE CLIMBEES. 



in common. Are not these little republics models of peace and 

 conciord? and does not man find in them salutary examples 

 of disinterestedness and affection ? The two principal species of 

 the genus are the Razor-biU of Jamaica and the Crow Blackbird 

 of America. The former is the size of a Blackbird, the latter of a 

 Jay. 



Barbets (Fig. 193) owe their name to a number of straight 

 hairs which they have upon their beak. They are massive in form, 

 and their flight is heavy. Inhabiting warm countries of both con- 

 tinents, they conceal themselves in thick forests, either alone or 

 in small bands. They feed on fruits, berries, and insects. Certain 

 species even attack and devour young birds. They build in the 



Fig. 193. — African Barbet {Pogonias hirsutus, Sw,). 



trunks of trees. The number of eggs they lay is two, sometimes 

 (though rarely) three. Levaillant asserts that the old and 

 infirm Barbets are cared for and fed by those in the enjoyment 

 of all their vigour. He says that, having taken five Barbets 

 in a nest of Republicans, one of which was so old that it could 

 not stand on its legs, and having enclosed them in a cage, 

 " the four healthy Barbets hastened to give food to the one lying- 

 in a dying state in a corner of the cage." He adds that the 

 nest whence he had taken them was filled with husks and the 

 remains of insects, which led him to think that the old invalid had 



