46 
the Bumi district in East Central Africa, and the second sent by Mr. R. -J. Thomson to Captain 
Shelley from the Rovuma river, E. Africa. Curiously enough, the two specimens were received 
at almost the same time ; consequently both were described within a few days of each other, indeed 
so nearly simultaneously that it became a question whether Dr. Reichenow’s name or that given 
by Captain Shelley should have precedence ; but, after making careful inquiries, I have satisfied 
myself that the former will stand. The specimen obtained by Dr. Boehm lacked the elongated 
central rectrices, and hence it was by Dr. Reichenow referred, in error, to the genus Meliitophagus. 
The specimen described and figured is the type of Merops dresseri, in the collection of Captain 
G. E. Shelley. 
In the preparation of the above article I have examined the only two specimens as yet 
known, viz. : — 
E Mus. Eerol. 
a. Bumi district. East Central Africa (Dr. Boehm ) : type of M. boe/rni. 
E Mus. G. E. Shelley. 
a. Itovuma river, East Africa (R. J, Thomson ) : type of M. dresseri. 
