THE OHESTNUT-BACKEI) BEE-EATEB 
M crops viridis [Linn.) 
Malay nom^ : — Beberek, B&rek-bgrek, 
Description: — Two species of bee-eaters are met with 
more or less commonly in Singapore. As regards general 
form the plate of Merops t'indis wliich we publish wjU do for 
both as the chief difference is in the plumage. The sexes are 
a little different. 
In the present species the male has the head, upper neck 
and back deep chestnut, the rump very pale blue and the tail 
greenish. The wings are grass green, On the underparts the 
chin and throat are light blue, the breast and abdomen green, 
palest on the abdomen; under tail coverts pale blue. 
The female diflfers in lacking the chestnut colour, the head, 
neck and back being green like the wings. 
The iris is red and the bill and feet black. 
Length of the male including the long tail feathers about 
II inches; wing about 4^ inches. Without the long tail feathers 
the length is just over 8 inclies. 
Distribution: — This bee-eater is found in southern China 
thence southwards throughout the Malay Peninsula to the 
Malaysian Islands. 
Status in Singapore A common bird m Singapore said 
by Ridley to breed in the sand-pits on the Serangoon Road. 
We are by no means sure of its movements. At some 
times it seems to be numerous and others entirely absent, 
a condition suggestive of partly migratory habits. It is greatly 
outnumbered in the autumn months by another species which 
we describe below. 
Field Notes : — This bird should need but a very brief 
introduction to the resident of Singapore because of its con- 
spicuous habits. It is almost the size of a starling but with 
a long thin tail and is usually seen either flying about in 
flocks — sometimes at quite a good height in the air or resting, 
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