068 ALCEDIN^. 



third and fourth united for more than half their length ; wings 

 rather short, broad, somewhat rounded ; tail rather short, and 

 rounded. 



1. Alcedo Ispida. European Kingfisher. Upper parts green 

 and light blue ; lower parts yellowish-red. 



GENUS II. MEROPS. BEE-EATER. 



Bill arched, longer than the head, four-sided, compressed, 

 and tapering to a point ; feet very small ; tibia bare at its lower 

 part ; tarsus extremely short, roundish, with indistinct scales ; 

 toes feeble, the second nearly as long as the fourth, which is 

 united with the third for more than half its length ; wings 

 long, broad, pointed, but with the first quill extremely small ; 

 tail long. 



1. Merops Apiaster. Yellow-throated Bee-eater. Upper 

 parts chiefly yellowish-red ; lower light green ; throat yellow, 

 with a transverse dusky band. 



