BEE-EATERS. 



395 



In onlor to show nt onro ^vliioh fnmilios -we intend to inchule in tlic super-family 

 ALCEDINOIDE.E tlio following tubk- has been prepared : — 



Sternum 

 4-notched 



2 carotids ; no 

 spinal space 



mnsonlar for- 

 nnila A X Y 



Cieca 



1 carotid ; spinal space Mcropidw; nude oil-gland j 



sternal notches > developed 



open Todida: ; tufted oil-gland ) 



sti>rnal notches 



converted into 



foramina Momotidm ; aftershaft 



^ no CKCa. 

 dlcedinlda: ', 



nniscular for- 

 nuila A X 



■ no aftershaft 



all. ft ' 



Sternum, at most, 2-notched Jiua-rotida: > 



We have already nieiilioned the sj-npelmous arrangement of the jilantar tendons 

 in the jiresent su]ier-faniily, and it is interesting to remark that, while a similar arrange- 

 ment is found in some other groups, associated with Infureation of tlie spinal feather- 



Fio. 195.— Colius macrourui, long-tailed coly. 



tract between the shoulders, it is combined with a simple tract ami a peculiar 

 conformation of the foot in the ])resent division, as all the Alccdinoideaj are syn 

 dactvlous, that is, have the outer and middle toes firmly united, at least as far as the 

 second joint. 



We shall treat of the families nearly in the sequence indicated by the above table, 

 consequently iieginning with the OM World MiiKopii).«:,or bee-eaters, the typical si)ecies 

 of which is figured in the accompanying cut. These are among the most brightly- 

 colored I'icarians, and inh.abit especially tlie Ktiiiopian and Oriental regions, sending 

 a few species northward to breed in the warmer ]>ortions of the I'ala'arctic realm. 

 Their name is derived from the fact that their jirincipal food is bees, wasps, and sim- 



