NATURAL HISTORY. 
84 
[east, zool. 
the edge, and by their peculiar long, feather-like tongues; they live on 
fruit and small birds, and are only found in tropical America, building 
in the trunks of trees. 
The family of Woodpeckers ( Picid^, Cases 78—80) have a wedge- 
shaped bill, with the hard points and the sides compressed near the tip ; 
their tail lengthened and rigid; in others they are short and rounded. 
The Barbets ( Bucconince , Case 78) have thick conical bills, with the base 
swollen, and the tip compressed, and furnished with stiff bristles at the 
base; their wings short and rounded, and the tail short and mostly even 
at the end. They inhabit India and its isles, South America, and Africa; 
their food consists of insects, fruits, and small birds. The Picumincz 
(Case 78) have the tail short w 7 ith the end rounded, soft, and held 
elevated like the wren. They are found in South America and India. 
The Woodpeckers ( Picince , Case 78) have the posterior outer toe 
always longer than the anterior one; their bill with the lateral ridge 
always visible. They inhabit North America, India, and Europe. 
They traverse the bark of trees in every direction, and insinuate their 
long tongue into chinks and crevices to draw out the larvae of insects, on 
which they feed; they also subsist on soft fruits. The Dryscopina 
(Case 79) have the posterior outer toe of nearly equal length with 
the anterior one, their bill with the lateral ridge prominent. They are 
principally found in South America; and feed principally on fruits and 
the eggs of small birds. The Celeince (Case 80) have the anterior 
outer toe longer than the posterior one; their bill with the lateral ridge 
entirely wanting or but slightly apparent. They are found in Eu¬ 
rope, India, South and North America, and feed principally on insects, 
as ants, &c. The Ground Woodpeckers ( Colap Hike, Case 80) have the 
bill broader at the base than high, with the culmen considerably curved 
from its base ; their tarsi lengthened and equal to the outer posterior toe. 
These are found in South and North America and Africa; live princi¬ 
pally on the ground, and feed on ants, &c. The Wrynecks ( Ymcince , 
Case 80) have a rounded and less angular bill than the last; their tail 
moderate, broad, and soft. This species inhabit Europe, Africa, and 
India; and feed principally on ants, which they secure by means of 
their long tongue. 
The family of Cuckoos (Cuculule, Cases 81—83) have a slightly 
arched, compressed beak, and long rounded tail; they live chiefly on 
insects, and many of the species are birds of passage. The Indicators 
(Indicatorince, Case 81) have short, strong, and rather conic bills; their 
tarsi and toes very short. They inhabit Africa, where they are cele¬ 
brated for guiding the natives to the nests of wild bees, enticing them to 
the spot by flitting before them and reiterating a peculiar cry ; they are 
furnished with a very hard skin, but the bees attack their eyes. The 
Rain-birds ( Saurotherince , Case 81) have the bill lengthened, curved at 
the tip, and the margin serrated ; their wings very short and rounded ; 
their tarsi very long and robust. They inhabit South America, where 
they live on snakes, fruits and insects, and are generally seen on the 
ground. The Coucals ( Coccyzince , Cases 81 and 82) have short ele¬ 
vated bills, compressed towards the tip ; their vdngs short and rounded, 
and their tarsi lengthened. They are seen generally -on the ground, 
running about with quickness among reeds and grass, seeking their 
food, which consists of grasshoppers, lizards, and fruits. The Ani ( Cro- 
