SCANSORES. 215 



upper mandible but slightly arcuated, and the nostrils pierced obliquely in the middle of each side of 

 it. Their tail consists of twelve feathers ; and they nestle in holes of trees like the preceding, and 

 hiUahit forests. It is said that they are principally frugivorous. 



[They are closely related to the Puil-birds of America, and like tlicin prodace only two es"3:s, and nave the tirst 

 and foartli toes directed laterally, eualilinj; tlieni to perLii lengthwise.] 



The lIoNi>,Y-GuiDEbi (l/idicdfor, Vaillant) — 

 Arc birds of South Africa that feed on honey, and "which arc celebrated for guidi[ig the natives to 

 the nests of wild Bees, enticing tlicni to the spot by flitting before them, and reiterating a peculiar 

 cry ; [they also, however, lead them in like manner to where a beast of prey hes concealed]. Their 

 beak is short, high, and nearly conical, like that of a Sparrow. There are twelve tail-feathers ; and 

 the tail is at the same time ^vcdge-shaped and a little forked. Tlieir skin, singularly tough, protects 

 them from the stings of Bees ; which latter, however, continually tormenting them, sometimes kill 

 tliem by attacking the eyes. 



[These curious birds are most nearly allied to the Woodpeckers, and climb trees in the same manner, having 

 similar feet and claws. Their colours are sombre, and, contrary to what occurs in all the Cuckoo tribe, there is a 

 distinct acccJisory plume to their feathers. They lay several pui-e white c'^'^^ in the holes of trees, precisely like 

 those of the Woodpeckers.] 



The Bareacous {ilonam, Vieillot) — 

 Have the beak conical, a litile compressed, lengthened, slightly arcuated towards the tip, and armed at 

 its base with stift' bristles or barblcss plumes, which approximate them to the Barbcts, [or rather to 

 the Puff-hirds, which the author ranges with the Barbcts, hkc which they have also twelve tail-fea- 

 thers, and the first and fourth toes directed laterally. The sterunm resembles that of a Cuckoo, but 

 with a small second emargination. 



These birds have blackish pluniag;e, and generally roral-red bills. Their habits are precisely the same as those 

 of the Puft'-birds, which they further resemble in layins two e^RS in holes, and in being peculiar to America.] 



The MALKOtrAS {Pli(entcojj/i(Sus, Vieillot) — 

 Have a veiy thick bill, round at its base, and arched towards the tip, [somewhat as in the Toucans], 

 Willi a great naked space round the eyes. Some have round nostrils, placed near the base of the bill, 

 wliile in others they are narrow, and situate near its edges. They are natives of Ceylon [and other 

 warm parts of the eastern beniisidicre], and live, it is said, principally on friuts. 



Certain species of them should probably be disliuguislied, that have the beak less thick, and no hare 

 space round the eyes. 



The PiAlN-FOVVL (Scf/t/irojis, Latham) — 

 Have the beak still longer and thicker than in the llalkohas, and furrowed on each side with two 

 shallow longitudinal groves : their nostrils are mutul, and the space surrounding the eyes naked. The 

 beak approaches that of the Toucans [in its suiierficics only], but the tongue is not ciliated as in 



those birds. 



Only one is known, the Australian Rain-fowl (.'?«•. aiistralasia, Shaw), a grey bird of the size of a Crow, whitish 

 and a little barred underneath. [Us sternal apparatus and digestive organs resemble those of the European 

 Cuckoo, as do also its system of coloration, and the structure of its feathers. Mode of propagation unknown]. 



The Barbets {Bacco, Lin.) — 

 Have a thick conical beak, bulged on the sides of its base, with five overlying bundles of stiff bristles 

 directed forwards ; one behind each nostril, another on each side of the base of the lower mandible, 

 and the fifth placed at its symphysis. Tlieu- wings are short, and their proportions and flight rather 

 heavy. They subsist on insects, and attack smaller birds ; occasionally feeding on fruit : nestle in the 

 holes of trees. 



They rctpdrc to be divided into three sid)genera. 



The Barbicans {Pogoiiias, lUiger) — 

 Have one or two strong dentictilations on each side of the itpper mandible, the ridge of which is 

 arcuated and obtuse, [and the sides marked with transverse grooves]. Their bristles are very stout. 

 They inhabit Africa and India, and feed more on fruit than the others. 



[The species are not numerous, and are generally black variegated with crimson. The compressive force of their 

 lieak is very considerable ; and they seldom climb.] 



