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crosses the lower throat ; rest of the underparts of a deep tawny golden tinge, becoming almost 
fox-red just below the blue band, and paling to a golden buff on the under tail-coverts ; bill 
blackish; legs brownish grey; iris red. Total length about 7| inches, culmen 1*3, wing 3'9, 
tail 3 - 6, tarsus 0'45. 
Adult female . — Resembles the male. 
Young {fide Heuglin). — Paler in colour than the adult, the upper parts more blue ; throat 
yellowish white, on the sides pure white, the blue pectoral band wanting ; underparts bluish green. 
The present species appears to be restricted to North-east Africa, where it inhabits the more 
elevated portions of Abyssinia. According to Mr. Blanford (Geol. & Zool. of Abyssinia, p. 322) 
it is a common species in Abyssinia in the passes from 3000 feet upwards, and was often seen by 
him in the highlands, especially after the month of March. In the Anseba valley it was replaced 
by Melittopliagus pusillus. Mr. Jesse says that it was common up the pass from Sooroo to Senafe 
during April and May. Yon Heuglin says (l. c .) that he found this species in the warmer portions 
of Abyssinia, never in flocks, but in pairs and families. It probably does not migrate, as he saw it in 
January, February, and March on the Takazie, at Gondar, and in the Galla country, and in July and 
August in the Samhar and Bogos countries ; Lefebvre met with it in August in Schirie, and Brehm 
at Mensa in. the spring. Ruppell speaks of it as a migrant at G-ondar in March. It is nowhere 
common and appears very local, inhabiting localities at an altitude of from 1500 to 7000 feet, and 
affects high trees along ravines and forest-streams, where it keeps within a limited range, which it 
leaves unwillingly. In December these birds were fresh moulted, and fledged young were seen 
directly after the rainy season. Respecting the habits of this Bee-eater I find nothing on record 
beyond the meagre details above given ; and I have no data respecting its nidification, in which it 
doubtless closely resembles its allies Melittopliagus sonnini and M. pusillus. 
The specimen figured and described is in my own collection. 
In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 
E Mus. EL. E. Dresser. 
a, <y. Senafe, Abyssinia, 12th May, 1868 (Jesse), b. Abyssinia ( Verreaux ). 
E Mus. Tweeddale. 
a. Sooroo, Abyssinia, 5th April, 1868 (Jesse). 
E Mus. Brit. 
a, b. Anseba river, Abyssinia (Esler). c. Abyssinia, 3000 feet, 17th February, 1868 (TV. T. Blanford) . d. Baraket, 
Abyssinia, 7500 feet, 24th May, 1868 (TV. T. Blanford). e, f . Senafe, Abyssinia, 12th May, 1868 (Jesse). 
E Mus. Paris. 
a , b, c, d. Abyssinia (Petit fy Dillon). 
