124 BEE-EATER. 



B. — Merops ^Egyptius, Faun. Arab. p. 1. No. 2. Gen. Syn. ii. 671. B. Ind. Orn. i. 

 270. 2. y. 



The only description I find, given by Forskal, mentions that 

 the bird is wholly of a green colour; the throat yellow; the bill 

 black and rather strait ; tongue bidentated ; tail consisting of twelve 

 feathers, and even at the end ; legs flesh-colour. 



Inhabits Egypt ; the Arabian name is Chaddaejr. The young are 

 sold in the month of June. 



C. — Apiaster Philippensis minor, Bris. iv. 555. t. 42. f. 2. Id. 8vo. ii. 200. Gen. 

 Syn. ii. 672. C. Ind. Orn. i. 270. 2. S. 



Length six inches and a half. Plumage the same with the others, 

 excepting that the streak on each side of the head, and the band 

 on the throat are blue ; the two middle tail feathers do not exceed 

 the others in length, but are narrow the whole way, and black. It 

 is very probable, that the bird might have lost the two old feathers, 

 and had been supplied with two new ones, not yet arrived at the 

 full growth ; in which case, this bird would be very little shorter 

 than the first described, as the excess of length in that arose merely 

 from the two middle feathers. 



D.— Indian Bee-Eater, Gen. Syn. Sup. p. 120. Ind. Orn. i. 270. 2. t . 



This variety has a yellow forehead, and a deep blue throat; the 

 rest of the plumage as in the first described. 



This is a common species in India, where they are often seen 

 flying about, and are said to be fond of plantains. 



