169 



POE BEE-EATER. 



Merops cincinnatus. M. atro-'viridis nitens, cincinno collari utrin-' 



que fasciaque humerali albis. 

 Glossy blackiah-grecn Bee-Eater, with a feathery white curl on 



each side the neck, ajid a white band on each shoulder. 

 Merops cincinnatus. M. viridi-atro-nitens, lateribus juguli utriri' 



que cincinno fasciaque alarum albis. Lath. ind. orn, 

 Poe Bee-Eater. Cook's Voy. \ . p. 48. 150, Lath, syn. 

 The Poa. Rubf, Laurie's plate. 

 Kew Zealand Creeper. Brown ill. t. Q. 



This most elegant species is a native of New- 

 Zealand, and of some of the scattered islands in 

 the South Seas. Its size is that of a Blackbird, 

 and its length about eleven inches : the general 

 colour of the whole bird is glossy greenish black, 

 but the rump is glossed with rich deep blue, and 

 strong varying glosses of green accompany the 

 general plumage of the back and wings: the larger 

 wing-coverts are white, forming a bar of white 

 across the wings : the feathers of the neck are of a 

 loose silky texture, and of a lengthened shape, 

 curving slightly upwards at the tips : each is also 

 marked down the middle by a whitish streak ; but 

 the principal mark of distinction in this elegant 

 bird is a moderately large and lengthened pendent 

 tuft of broadish white feathers curving upwards at 

 the tips, and situated on each side the neck be- 

 neath the ears: the bill is slightly curved, and of 

 a black colour, as are also the legs. This bird is 

 greatly valued by the natives of the Southern 



