( 40 ) 



The Bee-Eater. Merops five Apiafter. 



Numb. XLIV. 



IT is for Bignefs equal to a Blackbird •-, from the Tip of the Bill, to the End of 

 the Tail, eleven Inches and a half long j Breadth, when the Wings were expanded, 

 eighteen Inches; in the Shape of the Body it is very like that of the Kingsfifher. 



The Bill is great, from the Tip to the Angles of the Mouth almoft two Inches 

 long, fave only, that it is a little more arch'd or bending downward than that of the 

 Kingsfijhen the Tongue flender, deeply cut in or torn at the Tip; the Irides of the 

 £yes of a lovely red, and in fome of a hazel Colour. 



The Head is great and oblong; th.e Colour of the Feathers at the Bafe of the upper 

 chap is white, then yellow and green ; the back Part of the Head of a dark red, but 

 in fome Birds, of a green and red Mixture j from the Corners of the Mouth, through 

 the Eyes on each Side, is extended a black Stroak, contiguous whereto under the 

 Chin are bright but pale yellow Feathers ; the Neck, Breaft, Belly, and Thighs of 

 a blueifh green ; the icapular Feathers green with a Mixture of red, in fome the Co^ 

 lour of the under Side is blue. 



The Number of beam Feathers in each Wing, is about twenty one or twenty two, 

 of an orange Colour tipt with black, intermixt with fome green Feathers ; the wing 

 Feathers varied in feveral Birds, in fome blue, in others more redj the Tail is about 

 tliree inches and a half long, made up of twelve Feathers of a green Colour, in fome 

 blue ; the -under Side of a dun Colour ; the two xniddlemoft Feathers run out in 

 Length beyond the reft, and end in fharp Points. 



The Legs are very fhort, but thick for the Length ; both Legs and Feet exaftly like 

 thofe of tlie Kingsffher ; for the fore Toes, as in that, are all joined together to the 

 iirft Joint, as if they were but one Toe ; of a blackifli Colour, in fome of a dusky 

 led ; the Claws black, 



The Liver was of a pale yellow ; the Stomach rather membranous than mufculous, 

 in which when diflefted was foun^ Beetles and other Infers. It feeds not only oh 

 Bees, but upon the Cicad£ Beetles, and alfo on the Seeds of the Nipplewort, baftard 

 Parllcy, Turnips, i^c. as Bellonius teftifies. 



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