BEE-EATERS. 



395 



In order to show at once which families we intend to include in the super-family 

 ALCEDINOIDE^E the following table has been prepared : 



1 carotid; spinal space Meropidce; nude oil- ; 



sternal notches 



open Todidce ; tufted oil-gland 



sternal notches 



converted into 



foramina Momotidce ; aftershaft ) 



caeca 

 developed 



Sternum I f muscular for- 



4-notehed 1 I mula A X Y 



2 carotids ; no I 



- spinal space | 



muscular for- < no C8eca - 



1 mula A X Mcedinida no aftershaft ) 



Sternum, at most, 2-notched Bucerotidat ) 



We have already mentioned the synpelmous arrangement of the plantar tendons 

 in the present super-family, and it is interesting to remark that, while a similar arrange- 

 ment is found in some other groups, associated with bifurcation of the spinal feather- 



FiG. 195. Colins macrounis, long-tailed coly. 



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

 conformation of the foot in the present division, as all the Alcedinoideae are syn 

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

 N'cond joint. 



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

 consequently beginning with the Old World MEROPIDJE, or bee-eaters, the typical species 

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

 colored Picarians, and inhabit especially the Ethiopian and Oriental regions, sending 

 a few species northward to breed in the warmer portions of the Palaaarctic realm. 

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



