its monotonous call, its body being jerked up and down the while. It feeds on fruits and 
berries, and is said to build in hollow trees.” 
Mr. Layard also quotes the following note given by Mr. Atmore : — “ I see them fre- 
quently feeding on the ground ; they nestle in holes of trees, but do not make the holes : 
they lay spotted eggs.” 
It is quite clear that Mr. Atmore must be referring to some other bird of a different 
genus; for none of the Barbets are known to lay spotted eggs, and they seldom, if indeed 
ever, descend to the ground. 
Since writing the above, the following note has been received from Mr. Layard : — 
“ In addition to what is stated in the ‘ Birds of South Africa,’ I may add that Mr. H. 
Jackson declares the eggs are white, and sends some specimens for inspection. They are 
elongated, roughish, not shiny. Axis 11'", diam. 8"'. I found the bird common in the 
Albany district; and one evening, at ‘Table Farm,’ near Graham’s Town, we took five out 
of a hole in the stem of an aloe flower (Agave americana ), being the old male and female 
and three young birds (all fully fledged however). Mr. White’s family, residing at the farm, 
assured me that they always retired to roost in this way, and that they dug the holes for 
themselves. The flower-stump was quite dead and dry ; and any one who knows the hard- 
ness of the Agave - stem when dry, must concede that they had some tough work to do to 
bore through the silicious rind, though the interior is soft enough. It is upon these birds 
and P. torguatus that the various ‘ Honey-guides ’ ( Indicator ) are parasitic. I find that 
Mrs. Barber, no mean authority, says the eggs are spotted.” 
Our description and the figures in the Plate are taken from specimens in our own 
collection from Damaraland, given us by Mr. Sharpe. 
