262 Mr. H. F. Witherby — Ornithological 



from the grouncl_, gives a few rapid flaps, and then floats 

 along on outstretched wings, displaying the striking striped 

 plumage of the upper parts. 



Adult. Iris dark brown; bill reddish brown, black at tip; 

 legs and feet pinkish brown. 



61. CORACIAS ABYSSINICUS Bodd. 



This Roller was fairly evenly distributed in small numbers 

 throughout the country. Solitary birds were generally seen, 

 and very rarely a pair. They were always wild, and were 

 very fond of perching on the tops of the acacia trees. 



Adult. Iris dark brown; bill black; legs and feet yellowish 

 slate-colour. 



62. Merops pusillus P. L. S. Miill. 



My specimens are of the form with a blue spot behind the 

 eye, lately separated under the subspecific name of M. p. 

 ocularis by Prof. Ileichenow (see ' Ornithologische Monats- 

 berichte,' June 1900, No. 6, p. 86). We only noticed these 

 beautiful little Bee-eaters at two camps, viz. Kawa and 

 Shebesha, at both of which they were fairly common. Like 

 Merops apiaster, they are continually taking upward gliding 

 flights and then returning to perch on some bough. I once 

 saw an individual dart into the air and catch one of the large 

 black hornets which are so common. Returning to its perch, 

 the bird passed the insect to and fro through its beak, 

 and having thus crushed it thoroughlv, swallowed it whole. 



Adult. Iris crimson ; bill black ; legs and feet brownish 

 grey. 



63. Merops apiaster Linn. 



We only saw one specimen, which was the last bird we 

 collected near Khartum on May 16th. 



Adult. Iris crimson; bill black; legs and feet brownish 

 black. 



64. Merops viridissimus Swains. 



Mr. Hartert has pointed out to me that in Indian birds of 

 this species the throat is blue, whereas in African specimens 

 it is always green. My specimens vary considerably, 



