AFRICAN OX-PECKER. 51 



The African Ox-Pecker was 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 neaply 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 larvae 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. 



