BARBETS, the English name for a family of birds of the order Scansores, or Climbers ; Les Barbus of the French, and the genus Bacco of Brisson and Linnaeus. They are distinguished by their large conical beak, which appears swollen, as it were, or puffed out at the sides of its base, and is bearded (whence their name) with five tufts of stiff bristles directed forwards. One of these tufts is behind each nostril, one on either side of the lower mandible, and the fifth is under the symphysis.
Their short wings and heavy proportions do not admit of swift flight ; and their prey consists of insects and young birds, which they surprise, and also of fruits. Their nests are generally built in the holes of trees. The Barbeta are divided into the three following sub-genera : Sub-genus Pogonias.
Pogonias (Illiger) is furnished with one or two strong teeth on each side of the upper mandible, and the beard is very strong. A frit% and the Indies are the places where they are found, according to envier, who says that the species of this sub-genus feed more on fruits than any of the others. Pogonicu Airmaus (Swainsou), an African species, is a good example.
Puff-P.irds, as they are called, give them, 11.4 Cuvier observo., an air of stupidity, which their melancholy and solitary habits do not !wren. They are said to feed entirely ou bisects, and all the recerded species are American. In Paraguay, according to Aram, they are called Clteurus. Tomminek affixes the name Capita to this sub-genus.
Tamatia mart-or-4mM°. which that author obtained from southern Brazil, and which ho in disposed to colander a variety of the • Sub-genus Beet°.
Bruce (Cuvier), Capito (Vieillot), embraces the true Barbels, which have the conical bill slightly compressed and a little elevated in the middle. Their plumage is, generally speaking, gay; and they are to be found both in Africa and Asia. During the breeding season they go in pairs, but congregate in small flocks during the remainder of the year. The Buff Faced Barbet (Hutto Latkamt)affords an example
of the true Barbels.
Latham refers to a specimen in the British Museum, and says that its native place is uncertain.
Subgenus Tamatia.
Tamatia (Cuvier), the name by which one of those birds is known In Brazil according to /ilarcgrave, comprises those species whichihave the bill a little more elongated and compressed, and slightly curved at the extremity. The great head, short tail, and largo bill of these greater Pied Barbet of Latham, will give a good idea of the character of these birds.
Swainsou gives the following interesting account of their habits:— " There is something very grotesque in the appearance of all the Puff Birds, and their habits in a state of nature are no less singular. They frequent open cultivated spots near habitations, always perching on the withered branches of a low tree, where they will sit nearly motion less for hours, unless indeed they descry some luckless insect passing near them, at which they immediately dart, returning again to the identical twig they had just left, and which they will sometimes frequent for months. At such times the disproportionate size of the head is rendered more conspicnous by the bird raising its feathers so as to appear not unlike a puffball; hence the general name they have received from the English residents in Brazil, of which vast country all the species, I believe, are natives. When frightened, this form is suddenly changed by the feathers lying quite fiat. They are very confiding, and will often take their station within a few yards of the window. Tho two sexes are generally near each other, and often on the same tree." The length of this species is about eight inches. Plumage black and white, except the belly and vent, which are tined with buff BAIIBUS. [linunri.]