186 
SENEGAL LARK-HEEL. 
its flesh is coarse and rank, and the contents of the 
stomach, when killed, very fetid.” Short as is this 
notice, it is interesting and valuable on several ac- 
counts. In the first place, it shews that the birds 
of this genus approach the Crotophaga , or Anoo’s of 
Brazil, as much in their manners as they do in their 
general structure ; and it explains in a great mea- 
sure the reason why the feathers of the Lark-heeled 
Cuckoo are so peculiarly stiff and rigid, namely, 
that they should protect the bird from the injur) - it 
might otherwise receive from the “ thorny bushes” 
it frequents, and upon which, no doubt, those pecu- 
liar insects are found which constitute its principal 
food. We are yet in ignorance, however, of that 
part of the economy of these birds which renders it 
necessary that they should be provided with such an 
unusually long and straight claw on one of their 
hinder toes. 
We need only add, to our specific character, a 
few additional particulars. The greater scapular 
and the tips of the lesser quills are banded with 
dusky black, and faint indications of the same are on 
the thighs and tail-covers. The upper covers and the 
tail are brown glossed with green, and are darkest 
beneath. All the quills have blackish tips, the fifth 
and sixth being the longest ; the legs are very strong 
and dark greenish. 
Total length, 1 1^ inches ; bill, from the gape, 1 T 2 B ; 
ditto from the front, / a ; wings, 7 ; tail, beyond, 
5f ; ditto from the base, 8f ; tarsus, L} ; hind heel 
and claw, 1^; middle ditto, 1 T 6 5 . 
