, sn) 
measure about 5 inches; bill is black; irides ruby red ; feet plum- 
beous ; plumage is bright leaf or rather grass-green, with golden 
gloss on the head and hind neck, nape a little more guilded in some 
of the specimens. Sides of the head with a black streak from the 
bill to above ear-coverts ; quills with a tinge of red ; throat verdigris 
green; it has a black collar above the breast ; under parts bright 
green ; undertail coverts and vacinity ccerulian. In Darjeeling the 
two species which may occasionally be met with are gyptius (120) 
and athertoni (122) ; but these even not often. 
(120) Mrerops Aicyrtivs, Egyptian Bee-eater, is similar in shape 
and colour to viridis ; but a closer inspection will show a variety of 
differences. In size, bigger, being 12 inches in length. Colour generally, 
is more verdigris blue above, more so on the back and upper tail 
coverts ; it has a light yellow line and broadish band of blue over 
the eyes ; a similar line of black through the eyes to ear-coverts, 
which was observed to be black in viridis, is more greenish blue ; 
throat chesnut ; lower parts of the body bluish-green. 
(122) Mycriornis ATHERTONI, blue-necked Bee-eater, is much 
larger than either, being 14 inches in length. It is found in forests 
and thick bushy jungles, usually below 5,000 feet elevation,. more 
frequently near, foot of the hills. Bearing in mind the general run 
of Bee-eaters, this species presents, but few difficulties in recognising 
it. The prevailing colour is bright vernal green (colour of new 
spring leaves); forehead blue; neck hackles, are long, blue ; 
beneath traces of buff; a good deal of buff about the plumage of 
the bird, more noticeable when it is flying; legs have a greenish 
tinge; irides yellow. The following lines from Hodgson, most 
aptly reveals characteristics of this species. “They are of dull, staid 
manner. In the Rajah’s (Nepal) shooting excurtions, they are fre- 
quently taken alive by the clamorous multitude of sportsmen, some 
two or more of whom single out a bird, and presently make him 
captive, disconcerted as he is by the noise,” and Captain Boys says 
“This beautiful bird has a peculiarly wild note and is very difficult 
to approach.” It has dense soft plumage, long stiff hackles on the 
breast ; wings shorter and more rounded than the merops ; bill is 
long, curved, strong and compressed. 
Famity CORACIAD: ( Rollers) 
are well known birds in India, perhaps better known than even Bee- 
eaters. They are birds of large size, from a distance, not unlike 
Jays in appearance, consequently the popular name Blue Jay, given 
to them by Europeans in India, which name for some reason or other 
