91 



FORK-TAILED, BLUE- VENTED BEE-EATER. 



Merops hirundinaceus, LATHAM. 

 PLATE X. 



Green ; chin, orange ; collar, belly, and tail-covers, bright 

 blue ; tail forked, the feathers with black and whitish tips. 



Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Lath. Gen. Hist. iv. p. 141 M. 



taiva, Griff. Cuv. ii. 404 Le G. a queue fourchue, Le 



Vaill. pi. 8 Merops chrysolaimus, Jardine & Selby, Illust. 



pi. 99. 



THIS is one of the most beautiful bee-eaters of 

 Western Africa, conspicuously distinct, not only by 

 its colours, but also by having the tail more forked 

 than any species yet discovered. Although speci- 

 mens are seldom sent to this country, we learn that 

 Le Vaillant found it in abundance on the banks of 

 the Orange river in South Africa. In Senegal, 

 however, it seems rare. 



The size is rather less than that of the common 

 species : the general aspects, both above and below, 

 is uniform brilliant green, which gradually changes 

 on the belly to bright sky-blue, which colour spreads 

 over the vent, as well as the upper and under tail- 

 covers. The chin is bright orange-yellow, which 

 colour is separated from the green of the lower part 



