BEE-EATERS. 



In order to show at once which families we intend to include in the super-family 

 ALCEDINOIDE^E the following table has been prepared : 



Sternum 

 4-notclied 



1 carotid ; spinal space Mcropidoe; nude oil-gland ^ 



sternal notches } developed 



I 2 carotids ; no 

 I spinal space 



muscular for- 

 mula A X Y 



open TodidcK ; tufted oil-gland 



sternal notches 

 converted into 

 foramina MomotidCB ; aftershaft 



muscular for- 

 * mula A X 

 Sternum, at most, 2-notched Bucerottdu 



Alcedinida I no aftershaft 

 idee ) 



no caeca. 



We have already mentioned the synpelmous arrangement of the plantar tendons 

 in the present super-family, and it is interesting to remark that, while a similar arrange- 

 ment is found in some other groups, associated with bifurcation of the spinal feathcr- 



FIG. 195. Colius macrourus, long-tailed coly. 



tract between the shoulders, it is combined with a simple tract and a peculiar 

 conformation of the foot in the present division, as all the Alcedinoideffl are syn 

 dactylous, that is, have the outer and middle toes firmly united, at least as far as the 

 second joint. 



We shall treat of the families nearly in the sequence indicated by the above table, 

 consequently beginning with the Old World MEROPID.E, or bee-eaters, the typical species 

 of which is figured in the accompanying cut. These are among the most brightly- 

 colored Picarians, and inhabit especially the Ethiopian and Oriental regions, sending 

 a few species northward to breed in the wanner portions of the Palajarctic realm. 

 Their name is derived from the fact that their principal food is bees, wasps, and sim- 



