Mr. S. S. Allen on the Birds of Et/t/pt. 359 



2. Egyptian Bee-eater [Merops pcrsicus). 



Three of the Meropida are found in Egypt, namely, M. apiaster, 

 M. persicus, and M. viridis, of which the last only is a resident 

 throughout the year. 



The two former species arrive in Lower Egypt together, early 

 in April, on their way from their winter-quarters in the equa- 

 torial regions of Africa to their respective breeding-places ; but 

 whilst M. apiaster continues its journey across the Mediterranean 

 and Asia Minor to Eastern Europe and the shores of the Black 

 Sea for that purpose, M. persicus remains in the Delta, and 

 breeds on the banks of the Nile. 



In note, flight, food, and habits generally, M. persicus very 

 closely resembles the commoner species, as also in its size and 

 shape, except that the bill is longer and more tapering, and the 

 two middle feathers of the tail are considerably longer in the 

 former. 



These birds mostly fly in flocks of twenty or thirty, though 

 sometimes in much greater numbers. Whilst on their way 

 in the day-time they keep at a considerable height, and sail 

 about like Swallows, though not so rapidly, descending at night 

 to roost in trees. They have a sharp twittering cry, which is 

 often distinctly audible when the birds are almost out of sight. 

 The Arab name of "Dar-doon'^ is applied to both species. 

 The plumage of the male bird is rather brighter than that of 

 the female. The irides are red ; the beak black ; the legs and 

 feet purplish, the two outer toes being united for half their 

 length, as in the Kingfishers. 



Whilst returning from an ornithological excursion down the 

 Nile to Damietta on the 21st of April (1862), our attention was 

 attracted by a large flock of M. persicus hovering over one par- 

 ticular spot, where others of their number were settled on the 

 ground. On a closer examination, a large number of holes were 

 seen in a piece of ground between the river and a field of young 

 wheat, which very slightly shelved down towards the water, in 

 and out of which holes Bee-eaters were constantly passing. 

 After digging out a passage of nearly 4 feet in length, which 

 went in at an angle of 10° or 15°, we found a slightly enlarged 

 chamber, which formed the nest. The bottom of this chamber 



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