P. bidentatus belongs to the same subgroup as P . dubius and P. rolletti; from both
these it may be distinguished by its entire red breast, from P . melanopterus by its black
upper plumage, and from all other species of this genus by its pale-yellowish bill, which is
powerful and has t h e upper mandible furnished with two distinct teeth on each side.
The Red-winged Barbet is apparently not an uncommon bird on the West coast of
Africa. Mr. Ussher, t h e Governor of Fantee, writes, in a letter to Mr. R. B. Sharpe, that
this species is frequently to be found in the low thorn-bushes. This is an uncommon place
of resort for a Barbet, especially for one of t h e larger species, such as this i s ; and the notice
of it is very interesting. Nothing has been recorded of its breeding or nidification.
There are several figures of this bird in the works of the older authors, the most recent
being, we believe, that given by Leach in 1815 (I. c).
Our Plate is drawn from an adult specimen in our own collection sent from Fantee by
Mr. Ussher, and given to us by Mr. Sharpe.