194 
BIRD-LIFE. 
It is here that the largest of all the Senegal Swallows 
(Gecropis senegalensis ) lives, and its allied forms. Here, 
too, are found the most remarkable of all Goatsuckers, 
which the Arabs aptly name the four-winged (Macrodipteryx 
africanus, Cosmetornis vexillcirius), because one or two of 
their pinion-feathers extend beyond the others in an 
extraordinary manner, and the extremity is furnished 
with an outstretched plume, so as to resemble, indeed, a 
second wing. There are but few songsters worthy 
of any particular mention, though there are some 
extraordinary birds of this kind in Africa; at the 
same time, it is rather among other groups that 
characteristic specialities are to be found. Amongst 
slender-billed birds may be noticed the Nectarinidce, 
of which numerous forms are found in Africa: these, 
however, are found in Asia and the Southern Archi¬ 
pelago. Next to these we may mention the Promeropidce , 
Pr outer ops. The soft-billed birds are represented by the 
Honey-guide ( Indicator ) and Coucals ( Sericosomus ), very 
remarkable birds; and also of the Bee-eater (Merops) 
mention must here be made, for, in Africa, they are 
developed in an exceptional manner. 
Africa is far behind Asia with respect to Gallinaceous 
birds; still she possesses forms and species peculiar to 
herself. This country is the true home of the Sand 
Grouse (. Pterocles ), Francolins, and Guinea-fowl. The 
Sand Grouse and Francolin are also found in Europe 
and Asia, but must, nevertheless, be regarded as 
specially characteristic of Africa, for they are genuine 
children of that land. They are pre-eminently crea¬ 
tures of the desert, in a sense in which none 
others are, for they wear the pale livery, which at 
once shows where they live. Sand-colour and black 
