290 BIRD&. 
Gal. 185, (the Epimaque, with twelve filaments), which, for a long 
time, was placed among the Birds of Paradise, on account of the 
long bunches of white plumes which decorate its flanks, the stems 
of these plumes being continued out, forming six filaments on each 
side. The body is usually of a violet black, and the feathers on the 
bottom of the breast have an edging or border of emerald green. It 
appears, however, that there are varieties with an entirely white body. 
The primaries of the wing are short, and much less numerous than 
in birds generally. 
Epim. magnificus, Cuv.; Epimaque proméfil, Vaill., Prom. 16. 
Velvet-black; tail, slightly forked; head and breast of a most bril- 
liant steel-blue; feathers on the flanks long, fringed, and black. 
Epim. regius, Less. and Garn., Voy. de Duperr. pl. 28; Ptiloris 
paradiseus, Swains. <A purple black; top cf the head and upper 
part of the breast of a fine brilliant green; feathers on the flanks 
rounded and edged with green. 
The second and smallest division of the Passerine comprehends those 
in which the external toe, which is nearly as long as the middle one, is 
united to it as far as the penultimate articulation, We make but a single 
group of them, the @ 
SYNDACTYLA, 
Which has long been divided into five genera, an arrangement to which 
we adhere. 
Merors, Lin. 
The Bee-eaters have an elongated bill, triangular at base, slightly arcu- 
ated and terminating in a sharp point. There is a double emargination 
on each side of the hind part of the sternum. Their long, pointed wings, 
and short feet, render their flight similar to that of Swallows. They pur- 
sue insects in great flocks, especially bees, wasps, and hornets; and it is 
remarkable, they are never stung by them. 
There is a species, common in the south of Europe, but rare in 
cur latitude, the M. apiaster, L.; Guépier commun, Enl. 938; 
Naum. 143; Vaill., Guep., 1 and 2. (The Common Bee-eater). 
A beautiful bird with a fawn-coloured back; front and belly of a sea- 
green blue; throat yellow, surrounded with black. It builds in 
holes excavated by itself along the banks of streams, which are from 
four to five feet in depth. The young birds remain a long time in 
this retreat with their parents, which induced the ancients to believe 
that the former supported the latter when worn out with age. 
The two middle quills of its tail are somewhat lengthened, the first 
indication of a much greater elongation in the greater part of the 
species foreign to Europe*. 
ee ee ee eee lee ee NT) eg 
6 Such are, Mer. viridis, 740, Vaill. 4 ;—ornatus, Lath. ; superbus, Nat. Mise. 78 ; 
— senegalensis, Enl. 314, and badius, 252, Vaill. 12, 13; superciliosus, 259, Vaill. 19. 
—-M, nubicus, Vaill. 5, Enl. 649 ; this individual had been deprived of its long quills. 
— M. Savignii, Vaill. 6.—M. Cuvieri, Vaill. 9, and Swains. Il. 76, under the name 
of SavigniiimM. Lamark, Vaill. 10. 
