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rest of the underparts rich golden huff, except the lower abdomen which, with the under tail- 
coyerts, is rich deep cobalt-blue ; hill black ; legs dark brownish ; iris deep brownish red. Total 
length about 8 inches, eulmen 1-3, wing 3‘9, tail 3-68, tarsus 0'45. 
The range of this Bee-eater is restricted to Eastern and North-western Africa, being replaced in 
Southern Africa by Melitlophagus bullockoid.es. Yon Heuglin met with it at Senaar; Vierthaler 
obtained it at Abu Schok on the 24th December, and found a breeding colony on the banks of the 
Nile, but did not obtain its eggs; Antinori records it from the Blue Nile; and, as stated below, 
Yon Heuglin met with it on the Wan river, in East Central Africa, in April. 
On the western side of the African continent it is recorded from Senegal and the river 
Gambia ; Petit obtained it at Malimbe, and Mr. Eorbes met with it near Shonga on the Niger. 
Antinori considers this Bee-eater to be a migrant on the Blue Nile and not to be found there 
from December to Eehruary ; but Yon Heuglin and Brehrn say that it breeds there from December 
to March. According to Yon Heuglin (l. c .) this bird “ has a very limited range in North Africa. 
Biippell, and probably also Eerret and Galinier, found it in the north-eastern lowlands of Abyssinia ; 
and we met with it on the Mareb at Hamedo, on the western slope of the Abyssinian high- 
lands, especially near the rain-beds which have their outfall in the Dender, Bahad, and Atbara, 
on the upper Blue Nile in Eazogl, and, lastly, on the Wau river in Central Africa, in April. 
Except in the breeding-season only one pair or one family are met with together ; and they are to 
he seen in the forenoon and afternoon in the groves, or near water, sitting watching for insects 
on the dead boughs of bushes or low trees, or else on high grasses or plants. They are less noisy 
and restless than their allies.” In October 1859, when Dr. Hartmann, together with the late 
Dr. Peney, ascended the Blue Nile, the latter shot a pair from an Acacia nilotica at one discharge : 
these were the last they saw that season, for they were migrating further towards the equator. In 
March 1860, Dr. Hartmann, when settled at Boseres, saw several small flocks which remained 
there until late in April : early in the morning and at sunset they were busy hunting up insects 
from the ground ; but during the heat of the day, when some pairs had retired to the shade of the 
palms, most of them left for the higher places above Boseres, where they hunted after insects 
amongst the gum-trees which grew plentifully there. He found in the stomachs of these birds 
honey-eating insects. The plumage of this species, especially the red neck-spot, is much richer in 
colour in March and April than in October, and its feathers are then much fresher. 
On the western side of the African continent this Bee-eater is by no means uncommon, as 
many specimens have been sent from Senegal and the river Gambia. Petit obtained it at 
Malimbe ; and Mr. Eorbes, who met with it near Shonga on the Niger on the 17 th December, says 
that it was observed in some numbers, settling in high trees on the banks and flying off in true 
Bee-eater style. So far as I can ascertain, there is no authentic instance of Melittop Jiagus bullock/, 
having occurred in South Africa. 
Like its allies this Bee-eater nests in holes which it excavates in the banks of rivers. Yier- 
thaler found it breeding near Abu Schok on the Nile in December, hut did not obtain its eggs ; 
and Dr. A. E. Brehrn writes (J. f. O. 1853, Extrah. p. 97) as follows : — “ Of the Bee-eaters I only 
found breeding colonies of Merojps bullockii. A party of forty to sixty pairs select a smooth firm 
bank on the shores of the Blue Nile to excavate their nest-holes, ut such a place is always 
