168 



BLUE-HEADED BEE-EATER. 



Merops caerulocephalus. M. ruhery capite uropi/gioque herylUnis, 

 Cauda suhoequalu 



Pved Bee-Eater, with beryl-blue head and rump, and nearly even 

 tail. 



Merops caerulocephalus. M. ruber, capite gvla uropygioque cceru- 



leO'Viridibus, cauda suhforficata. Lath, ind, orn, 

 Le Guepier rouge a tete bleue. Bz^. ois. FL Enl. ^^p* 

 Blue-headed Bee-Eater. Lath. syn. 



Described by BufFon, and figured in the 

 Planches Enhiminees : size rather less than that 

 of the Common Bee-Eater: colour of the upper 

 parts fine rufous, deepest on the wing-coverts and 

 tail : under parts pale crimson : head and throat 

 beryl-blue, deepest on the throat : rump and upper 

 tail-coverts of the same colour : the middle quill- 

 feathers edged with blue ; the larger ones brown 

 towards the tips : tail nearly even, or very slightly 

 subfurcated ; the feathers edged with blue-green : 

 bill black: legs ash-colour.. Native of Nubia, and 

 described by Buffon or Montbeillard from a draw- 

 ing or specimen communicated by Mr. Bruce. . 



