during a journey to the Matabili Country. 363 



found two eggs of this species on the bare ground in an open 

 space in the bush ; the bird was on the eggs^ which were pink, 

 spotted all over with greyish brown. 



Merops apiaster, L. 



S - River Meathly, Bamangwato, October 24, 1873. 



Beak black ; legs dark brown ; iris crimson. 



This species was only observed on one occasion, when it 

 appeared to be migrating. On that day I saw several large 

 flocks hawking about after flies and occasionally settling on 

 the small bushes. The note of all the Bee-eaters I have met 

 with seems to be almost exactly the same. 



Merops pusillus (Miill.). 



6 . Transvaal, November 29th, 1873. 



Beak and legs black ; iris dark hazel. 



I saw one or two pairs of this species on the banks of the 

 Limpopo on my way up, and another pair or two on the Sa- 

 mouqui river, in the Matabili country. They were plentiful 

 in comparatively open country in the north of the Transvaal 

 on our way down, and were to be seen sitting, singly or in 

 pairs, on a small branch of a bush on the look-out for insects, 

 which they caught on the wing. I once saw a small party of 

 about eight together. 



Merops bullockoides. Smith. 



d . Transvaal, July 1st, 1873. 



Beak and legs black ; iris dark hazel. 



Common through the north of Transvaal. On my return 

 I found them breeding in the banks of the Limpopo, perhaps 

 seven or eight pairs in one colony. 



CoRACiAs N^viA, Daud. 



S . Matabili, October 6th, 1873. 



? . Transvaal, July 1st, 1873. 



Beak black ; Legs yeUow ; iris dark hazel. 



Fairly common ; generally seen singly or in pairs. It re- 

 sembles C. caudata in its habits and flight. I have seen the 

 young of the latter about the middle of November, evidently 

 not long out of the nest ; so the Rollers must be amongst the 

 earliest breeders. 



