seldom climbs like a Nuthatch, is not easy in its movements, having a short, quick, 
noisy, and jerky flight. It appears to breed in natural holes, or in ones made by itself; 
at least I have seen it several times go out of holes in the branches and fissures of old 
stems. Its food consists of insects, larvae of Cerambyx, and ants. I have also found 
vegetable remains in the stomach.” 
We are indebted to the kindness of Professor Barboza du Bocage for the loan of the 
specimen of this Barbet, from which our description and figure have been taken. It was 
obtained by Riippell during his voyage in Abyssinia in 1834, and is now in the Lisbon 
Museum. 
