BIEDS OF EGYPT, 171 



149. Merops viridis, Linn, Little Green Bee-eater. /^ 



(Plate VII. fig. 2.) ^ 



This pretty little Bee-eater is a resident in Middle Egypt 

 througiiout the year, but does not during the winter months 

 range north of Golosaneh. They do not congregate in flocks, 

 like the last two species, but are generally to be met with in 

 pairs or family parties, often perched in rows on the long 

 leaves of the date-palms, or on the outer twigs of the sont 

 trees. In flight they look extremely beautifid, as they skim 

 gracefully through the air with outspread wings, showing the 

 orange colour underneath like an illuminated transparency. 

 They breed in holes in the banks in April. 



In this species a black band extends through the eye ; and 

 it has a partial black collar ; remainder of the plumage bril- 

 liant green, excepting under the wings, where it is bright 

 rufous ; the two centre tail-feathers are very much elongated ; 

 legs brown ; beak black ; ii-ides crimson. 



Entire length 11 inches; culmen M ; wing, carpus to 

 tip, 3-7 ; tarsus 4. 



Fam. CYPSELIDJE. 



150. Cypselus melba (Linn.). Alpine Swift. 



The Alpine Swift is a j-are bird of passage in Egypt and 

 Nubia, only met with in the more mountainous parts during 

 the autumn and spring. 



The entire plumage is very dark brown, almost black, 

 except the throat and abdomen, which are white ; beak and 

 legs black ; irides very dark brown. 



