Expedition io the Zambesi River, 97 



The food of this species consists chiefly of various beetles. 

 The stomachs of many specimens that we procured contained 

 nothing but these insects. 



On August linear the village of Umquasi, some 60 miles 

 below Tete, a bird was observed with building material in its 

 beak; this species often breeds in company with M. natalensis. 



133. Merops apiaster (Linn.). 



On October 28 we saw for the first time a flock of this 

 species beating down the river at a rapid rate, and another 

 flock two days later. 



133. Merops persicus (Pall.). 



It was not till after the first rain had fallen (November 21) 

 that we observed these Bee-eaters^ which suddenly appeared 

 in small parties of five or six and frequented the tops of the 

 tall acacia-trees, whence they uttered their peculiar notes — 

 a weak rattle. The majority were adults, the feathers of the 

 upper parts becoming blue. 



134. Merops boehmi (Reichen.). 



Rare. We observed it in only one locality, some 60 miles 

 below Tete, on the left bank, and where the country was 

 thickly wooded. We landed here on August 1, and while 

 forcing our way through the thick undergrowth we came 

 across a few of these elegant little Bee-eaters. It was towards 

 evening and they were very busy catching their prey, darting 

 frequently straight up from their perches with a'' whirring ^^ 

 sound of wings, followed by a click of beaks whenever prey 

 was caught, and then graceful circular swoops down to their 

 perches again. This bird is shy and retiring by nature, and 

 seeks a home in the little natural clearings that are common 

 in the thick woods. 



Adult. Wing 3" 14 inches, culmen Tl, tail 3, centre tail- 

 feathers 5 '7. Iris red. 



135. Merops natalensis (Reichen.). 



Our first observation of this beautiful Bee-eater was just 

 above Senna, where the Shire river joins the Zambesi. Our 

 steamer, towards evening, had stuck on a sandbank, and 



SER. Vri. VOL. VI. H 



