INSESSORES. MEROPS. 113 



birds of active and powerful flight, and obtain the whole of 

 their food in the air, consisting of insects, particularly those 

 of the Hymenopterous order. In the genus Nyctyornis (of 

 Swainson), the members of which (like the Caprimulgidge) 

 feed during twilight and night, the wings become shortened 

 and rounded, and the body, as he observes, if the distin- 

 guishing characters of the head were hidden, might be sup- 

 posed to belong to the Motmots (Priojiites), a genus of birds 

 belonging to the family of the Buceridce in the conirostral 

 tribe of the order, thus becoming a link to connect the mem- 

 bers of these tribes. Of the various forms belonging to this 

 family, we possess but two examples, viz. a single species of 

 the genus Meroj)S, and another of the genus Coracias, both 

 of which are recognised in our Fauna as occasional visitants. 



Genus MEROPS, Ltnn. BEE-EATER. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill rather long, slightly curved, sharp pointed, sub- 

 quadrangular, and carinated. Nostrils basal, lateral, oval, 

 and open, partly hidden by reflected bristles. Feet having 

 the tarsus short, with three toes before, and one behind, the 

 outer toe being joined to the middle one as far as the second 

 joint ; the inner one the same, as far as the Jlrst. Claws small, 

 curved ; that of the hind toe the smallest. Wings long, acu- 

 minate ; having the first quill very short, the second being 

 the longest. 



This genus of birds take their food, consisting of bees, 

 wasps, &c. upon the wing, like swallows. They breed in the 

 banks of rivers, in which they dig holes to a considerable 

 depth. They are totally natives of the warmer parts of the 

 ancient continent. Like the King's-fishers, their plumage is 

 brilliant, the prevailing colours being blues and greens of 

 various shades, and tinged by beautiful reflected lights. 



VOL. I. H 



