68 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA, 



The Sixth Family, MEROPIDJE, 



have the bill longer than the head, with both mandibles 

 curved and acutely pointed ; the sides compressed and sloping 

 from the culmen ; the nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, and 

 partly hidden by short bristles ; the wings more or less long 

 and pointed ; the last long, broad, and the middle feathers 

 sometimes prolonged beyond the lateral ones ; the tarsi very 

 short ; the toes long, with the lateral ones more or less 

 united to the middle toe ; the hind toe long, and broadly 

 padded beneath. 



The only Sub-Family, MEROPIN^, or Bee- 

 Eaters, 

 have the same characters as previously given for the Family. 



Genus MEROPS, Linn., 

 Bill long, curved, and pointed, with the culmen curved, 

 keeled, and the sides much compressed to the tip, which is 

 very acute ; the sides sloping from the culmen to the lateral 

 margins for its entire length ; the gonys very long and 

 arched ; the nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, and covered with 

 a few short hairs. Wings reaching two-thirds the length of 

 the tail, and pointed, with the first quill spurious, and the 

 second the longest. Tail long, broad, more or less even, 

 with the ends of the two middle feathers more or less pro- 

 longed beyond the others. Tarsi very short, robust, and 

 covered in front with narrow transverse scales. Toes long, 

 the lateral ones unequal, the outer the longest, united as far 

 as the second joint, and the inner as far as the first joint 

 of the middle toe ; the hind toe long, strong, and broadly 

 padded beneath ; the claws moderate, curved, and acute. 



111. MeropS Apiaster. (Linn.) Tem. Manuel, Vol. 

 1, p. 420 5 Swain,, B. of W. Af, p. 76 ; M. Chrysoce- 

 jplialus, Gmel. ; Berg Schawler (mountain-swallow) of 

 Colonists. 



Forehead light-bufi", fading into green ; top of head, neck, 

 and shoulders rufous ; back orange ; wings and tail green ; 

 under parts bluish-green ; chin and upper part of throat 

 golden-orange, followed by a narrow black line; ear-tufts 

 black ; middle tail-feathers pointed, and slightly elongated 

 beyond the others. Length, 10"; wings, 5f " ; tail, 5". 



The European bee-eater, during its period of visitation, extends 

 all over the colony. I have generally found it come in with the quail 



