78 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Description. 



only of both, but also of the intermediate sizes. 

 It is an ill-favoured bird ; the head much resem- 

 bles that of a cat: it has a crooked bill, the upper 

 mandible hanging a good way over the under, 

 the eyes are large and sprightly, shining like crys- 

 tal, the inner circle appears of a whitish yellow ; 

 it has two large tufts of feathers near two fingers 

 long, upon the head, resembling ears ; the tail is 

 so short, that it is not seen when the wings, 

 which are very long, are closed. 



The thighs and legs are covered with short 

 down, or feathers, as low as the feet, which are 

 armed with strong crooked claws, near three 

 inches long, and very sharp. The feathers of 

 the whole body are of a gold colour sprinkled up 

 and down with black and white spots. 



THE BEE-EATER, 



WHICH very much resembles the kingfisher, 

 and is about the size of a common black-bird, has 

 a large oblong head, the feathers at the base of the 

 upper chap, are white shaded with a sort of green 

 amongst it ; from the corners of the bill, along each 

 side of the head, there is a black stroke extend- 

 ing itself beyond the eyes ; contiguous to which, 

 on the under part of the head, the feathers are of 

 a pale yellow; th,e belly, neck, and breast are of 

 a bluish green ; the scapular feathers in some 

 are blue; in others green, with a mixture of red. 



