98 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
Its range in the Cape Colony is not extensive, and not many — 
specimens have come under our notice from the colony itself. Mr. 
T. B. Bayley, of Wynberg, shot a specimen on the Cape Flats and — 
sent it to the Cape Town Museum, and Mr. Dumbleton, of the same 
town, assures us that these birds periodically visit a circumscribed — 
portion of the Flats in considerable numbers. On the 15th of Fe- — 
bruary, 1866, a specimen was sent to the Museum by Mr. Bishop, 
shot near Knil’s Riyer. In Natal, according to Mr. Ayres, they 
only inhabit the coast-lands, and are migratory, appearing only 
during the months of the South African summer. Dr. Kirk observed — 
them in the Zambesi district, where he says they were gregarious, 
but not found in any numbers during the wet season. Mr. Andersson 
first noticed them near the River Okavango, and afterwards obtained 
several specimens in Ondonga, on the 20th and 28th of November, 
1866. Senor Anchicta met with the species on the Rio Coroca im 
Mossamedes, and it has also been sent from Benguela by Senor 
Furtado d’Antas. It also extends to Angola proper, haying been ~ 
obtained there by Mr. Monteiro, whose specimens are now in the 
British Museum. 
Dr. Kirk gives the following note on its habits in the Zambesi 
district :—‘ The nests are formed in the clay or sandy perpendicular 
banks of rivers, and consist of long passages about three inches in 
diameter, tunnelled in the face of the bank and generally about two 
feet apart. The colony occupies a space of about fifty yards in 
extent. In the heat of the day they are seen flying together near 
their settlements, catching flies on the wing.”” Mr. Ayres writes :— 
“These birds take their food on the wing, and their flight somewhat 
resembles that of the Swallows: they frequently alight on the trees 
and branches to rest: during flight they utter a harsh grating 
note.” 
This species is one of the larger Bee-eaters, measuring as follows : 
—Total length, 10 inches ; bill, 1°7; wing, 5°75; tail, 4°03; tarsus, 
0°5; middle tail feathers, 6:2. The general colour is green both 
above and below, the forehead whitish, the ears black: both above 
and below the eye a more or less distinct bluish stripe; chin 
yellow, passing into chesnut, the latter forming a conspicuous gular 
patch. 
Fig. Shelley, B. Egypt, pl. vii. fig. 1. 
