324 Dr. J. Kii'k on the Birds of the Zambesi Region. 



Fam. MEROPIDiE. 



64. Merops nubicoides. 



Rather local; observed, however, both on the Zambesi and 

 Shire. On the former we found colonies of them, tmmelliug 

 their nests in the river-banks. 



65. Merops savignii. 



Gregarious ; not seen in any numbers during the wet season. 

 The nests are formed in the clay or sandy perpendicular banks 

 of rivers, and consist of long passages about 3 inches in dia- 

 meter, tunnelled in the face of the bank, and generally about 2 

 feet apart. The colony occupies a space of about 50 yards in 

 extent. In the heat of the day they are seen flying together 

 near their settlements, catching flies on the wing. 



66. Merops bullockotdes, Smith. 



Solitary in habits, frequenting the banks of streams. 



67. Merops variegatus. 



Widely distributed in the vicinity of water, catching insects 

 during the heat of the day. Found solitary, or in pairs, but 

 not in social colonies. 



Fam. CORACIIDiE. 



68. CORACIAS CAUDATA. 



A very common bird in the open woods and bush-country, 

 near the Zambesi and other rivers. Cry harsh. The plumage 

 varies considerably at different seasons, during the cold and 

 dry being much less brilliant. 



69. EURYSTOMUS AFER. 



Local, and observed rarely near Tete. Frequent in the river- 

 valley at Chibisa, on the river Shire. Its habits resemble 

 those of Coracias caudata. 



Fam. UPUPIDiE. 



70. Upupa minor. 



Everywhere rather rare, but widely distributed ; found in the 

 interior of the continent and near the coast. It is not injured 

 by the natives, by some of whom it is named the " Little Doctor," 

 in connexion with some superstition. 



