70 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



green, the two centre ones much longer than the others, 

 narrow towards the points, and of a blue-black colour ; rump 

 and vent light-blue. Length, lli". 



" Inhabits Africa ; rare in South Africa." Dr. A. Smith — non vidi. 



115. Merops Erythropterus, Gmei. , m. Minu- 



tus, Vieil., End., p. 392 ; Swain., B. of West Af, 



Vol. 2, p. 88. 

 Upper parts, excepting the primary and secondary quills, 

 and lateral tail-feathers glossy, changeable green ; ear-tufts 

 black ; chin and half the throat, clear, full yellow, with a 

 narrow edsjing in the middle of the throat of a delicate 

 greenish-blue, followed by a transverse spot of the deepest 

 black, placed in the middle of a patch of rich chesnut 

 extending across the breast. Total length, 9" ; wing, 3" ; 

 tail, 2" 7'". 



Dr. Hartlanb includes this among the birds common to Western, 

 North-Eastern, and Southern Africa. — Orn. W. Af., p. 40. 



Mr. Ayres also procured it at Natal, where he says it is resident all 

 the year round in certain localities. As far as I can ascertain, it does 

 not extend its range into this colony. 



116. Merops BuUockoides, Smith, Zooi. s. a., 



-PI. 9 ; Melittophagus BuUockoides, Boie. 



Front, chin, and moustache white, with a greenish lustre ; 

 hind-head rather rufous ; rest of the upper parts, with the 

 exception of the rump, green ; rump blue. On opening the 

 wings, the tips of some of the feathers will be found to be 

 black ; ear-tufts black ; under parts rufous, tinged with 

 green ; throat brilliant scarlet ; vent blue. Length, 9" ; 

 wing, 5|" ; tail, 4". 



Dr. Smith first obtained this species in 25° south latitude. I have 

 received several specimens through the kind exertions of Mi'. David 

 Arnot, of Colesberg, who, mindful of the interests of the South 

 African Museum, never loses an opportunity of contributing to it. 

 His specimens were procured in the Orange Free State. 



117. Merops Hirundinaceus. (Lath.) b. of w. 



Af., Vol. 2, p. 91 ; M. Taiva, Griff, Cuv., Vol. 2, p. 



404 ; M. Chrysolaimus, Jard. and Selby Illus., p. 99 ; 



M. Azuror, Less. Tr., p. 239 ; M. Furcatus, Stanl. 

 General colour green ; chin orange ; collar, belly, and tail- 

 coverts bright-blue ; tail much forked, the feathers with 

 whitish tips. Length, 8^" ; wing, 3i" ; tail, U". 



Found by Le VaUlant " in abundance on the banks of the Orange 



