112 
Melittophagus collaris (Vieill.), Gray, Hand-1, of B. i. p. 101, no. 1223 (1869). 
Sphecophobus angolensis (Gm.), Gray, Hand-1, of B. i. p. 100, no. 1219 (1869). 
Melittophagus cyanostictus, Cab. J. f. Orn. 1875, p. 340 ; id. op. cit. 1878, p. 335. 
Figures notabiles. 
Briss. Orn. iv. pi. xliy. fig. 1 ; DAubenton, PI. Enl. 318; Levaillant, Hist. Nat. Guep. pi. 17; Reicbenbach, 
Meropinse, pi. ccccxlvii. figs. 3240, 3241. 
Hab. Africa, from Abyssinia and Senegal, down to Natal and the Transvaal. 
Ad. supra psittacino-viridis, remigibus dilute ferrugineis, primariis extus viridi marginatis et vix nigricanti apicatis : 
secundariis valde nigro terminatis et indistincte albido apicatis ; secundariis intimis elongatis dorso concolori- 
bus : cauda ferruginea conspicue nigro terminata et albido apicata, rectricibus dnabus centralibus dorso con- 
coloribus : taenia transoculari nigra supra vix cyaneo marginata : gnla flava, torque jugulari nigro plerumque 
cyaneo marginato : pectore lsete fusco-cinnamomeo : abdomine fulvo-aurantiaco vix virescente lavato : rostro 
et pedibus nigris : iride rubra. 
Juv. supra sordide psittacino-viridis, plumis pallidiore marginatis : gnla sordide fiavida : pectore sordide viridi : 
abdomine et subcaudalibus sordide flavido-cervinis, torque jugulari nullo. 
Adult (Fantee). — Upper parts bright parrot-green, not very dark in tinge; quills bright 
rufous, externally edged with green, the primaries narrowly, and the short secondaries broadly 
terminated with black, the latter narrowly tipped with greyish white ; elongated inner secondaries 
coloured like the back ; tail rufous, broadly terminated with black and narrowly tipped with 
greyish white, the central rectrices coloured like the back ; chin and throat yellow ; a broad 
black patch passes from the base of the bill through and behind the eye, and there is a slightly 
defined blue superciliary stripe ; lower throat crossed by a broad black band, narrowly edged 
above with blue ; below this band the underparts are rufescent orange, the colour being much 
darker near the band, and gradually fading towards the vent, which is rufous-buff ; under surface 
of the wings warm rufous-buff. Bill and legs black ; iris bright red. Total length about 5’5 
inches, culrnen IT, wing 3 - 2, tail 2 - 6, tarsus OT ; tail slightly emarginate, the outer feathers 
extending 0T5 beyond the central ones. 
Young (Kakoma). — Upper parts dull parrot-green, the feathers having somewhat paler 
edges ; throat dull honey-yellow, breast dull green ; abdomen and under tail-coverts dull yellowish 
buff ; no dark band across the throat. 
Although confined to the continent of Africa the range of the present species is widely extended, 
for it is met with on the east side of the continent from about 16° N. lat., and on the western 
side from Senegal, down to Natal and the Transvaal, but it does not appear to have occurred within 
the boundaries of the Cape Colony. 
Mr. Blanford found it common in the Anseba valley, Abyssinia, in July. Mr. Jesse procured 
two specimens at Bejook on the Anseba, but did not observe it elsewhere ; and, according to 
Yon Heuglin, it is one of the commonest of the Bee-eaters in North-east Africa, occurring in 
Southern Nubia and Takah, and he met with it from the Sarahar and Danakil countries into 
