91 
only reached to about two thirds of their depth. Hartmann, after much trouble, got to two 
nests by digging from above ; one contained three and the other four wax-yellow unspotted eggs, 
which were placed on a few straws and feathers. They measured 23 by 17 millim. These birds 
retain the rich coloration of their plumage all the year, hut specimens obtained in September 
and October differed from those procured in May by the length of the central rectrices. 
Dr. Vierthaler obtained it in September on a journey to Kamlin, and remarks that it was 
then in full moult. They have a peculiar habit of perching on the backs of Storks ( Gicoma 
abdimii ) ; and to see these birds stalking along each with a red rider on his back is a most peculiar 
sight. 
According to Yon Heuglin ( l . c.) it “is gregarious and is occasionally found in flocks of 
thousands. It breeds about the commencement of the summer rains, in the negro countries 
along the Abiad as early as in March and April, and in East Sudan between June and August. 
One finds the breeding-colonies both alongside the water in the forests, in the open parts of the 
forest-region, and even on the steppes, though here more scattered and frequently in single pairs. 
The bird digs very deep, usually straight holes, extending either straight or crookedly in the 
ground ; and the nest-chamber is rather enlarged and contains on a slight bed of dry grass-straws 
three to five eggs, blunt oval in shape, glossy in texture, and pure white in colour ; when the egg 
is fresh it is pale rosy reddish in tinge, but when blown it is yellowish. They measure 11-12"' 
by 9-9-g"'. After breeding, these birds collect in flocks and migrate northwards to about 16° hi. 
lat., passing over the vast savannahs, where they find an abundance of food in the way of grass- 
hoppers. Early in the morning its loud flute-like gurgling call echoes from the bushes and trees 
where the birds have been roosting, and soon the entire flock flies off and circles about high in 
the air, uttering their cries, until the dew has dried, when they proceed to hunt after insects in the 
high grass and along the streams, and, except during midday, they continue hunting most 
zealously. They live almost exclusively on Orthoptera, which they usually capture on the wing. 
Should the prairie catch fire these Bee-eaters collect from far and near and shoot in amongst the 
smoke and flames to seize the insects that are scared up, taking no notice of the numerous birds 
of prey which have likewise collected in search of food. We frequently saw these birds on the 
backs of cattle when grazing, especially on asses, and even on the backs of Ciconia abclimii, which 
is a most eager grasshopper-hunter, and is usually seen in small family parties in the high grass. 
As they walk along they frighten up the smaller Orthoptera, which are caught by the Bee-eaters, 
who, after securing their prey, settle again on the animals’ backs ; and I usually observed that the 
same Bee-eater always returned to the back of the same Stork on which he had previously been 
riciing. During the heat of the day these Bee-eaters take shelter in bushes and trees, which they 
frequently literally cover, and a flock thus closely settled makes a lovely picture. Between 
December and April they migrate by degrees southward into the forest-region. In their habits 
they are, if any thing, more noisy and restless than their allies ; their flight is Swallow-like and 
rapid — they soar and glide along for some distance, then strike quickly with their wings, spread 
their tail, and rush like an arrow straight up into the air, descending again as quickly. On the 
Tana lake, in Abyssinia, I saw numbers in Eebruary and March, but in April and May they 
disappeared altogether.” 
Dr. Brehm speaks of it as being a migrant in the countries watered by the Nile, passing 
down to about 15° N. lat. during the rainy season, moulting there, and then travelling southward 
again. 
The specimens figured and described are in my own collection. 
