208 



particularly Jay-like at a distance, is rather larger and 

 has a brown back, and a much duller and darker blue 

 general plumage than the first named, while a third 

 has a brown head and royal-blue and black upper 

 and lower parts. 



Of the second genus (^Eurystonuis) we have one 

 species, a bird about the size of a Thrush but built 

 like a Grosbeak, and with a broad triangular yellow 

 bill with a broad gape and arched ridge. Its general 

 colour above is a rich burnt sienna, with deep blue 

 wings, while below it is a lovely purple and mauve. 

 This Roller is not so common as the others, and is 

 usually seen only in places where there are tall trees, 

 the upper branches of which are its favourite haunt. 



The BEE-EATERS {Meropidcs), which are 

 smaller and more graceful birds than their cousins 

 the Rollers, are common all over Africa. Here we have 

 at least four or five species var\'ing from about six to 

 ten inches in length. The smallest is the dwarf Bee- 

 eater (^Melittophag2is pusilLjis), which usually haunts 

 patches of long grass in flocks of a hundred or more. 

 Their colour above is sheen}^ emerald green, below 

 yellow with a black breast - patch and shading into 

 reddish brown towards the vent ; the two middle 

 feathers of the upper tail-coverts are thread-like at 

 the ends and prolonged to equal or exceed the tail- 

 feathers in length ; the bill and feet are black : the 

 irides crimson. Other species are the Swallow-tailed 

 Bee-eater {Diavcercus fjircaius), and at least three 

 representatives of the genus Merops, in two of which 

 green, orange and pink are the chief colours, while 

 in the third (/I/. 7iubic7cs) the plumage is mainly 

 crimson and black. 



All the Bee-eaters are strong active fliers, hawk- 

 ing like Swallows high in the air, except when, like 

 Flycatchers, they take up positions on dead branches 

 or stakes and thence make rapid dashes after passing 



