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might have an opportunity of examining the type specimen; but continual calls on my time 
forbade my undertaking a trip to Paris in order to do so ; and, besides, I was unable to send over 
my artist, Mr. Iveulemans, in order that be might figure the type example for the present work, 
as bis time was so fully occupied here. 
However, I have now fortunately been able to examine two specimens obtained by Mr. 
E. Lort Phillips on the plateau of the Somali country above Berbera, which were most 
courteously placed at my disposal, one of which I have figured, and am glad to find that it 
is a most distinct and easily recognizable species, nearest allied perhaps to Melittophagus 
bullodd, but differing very appreciably and constantly from that Bee-eater. Eirst obtained by 
M. Bevoil in Somali-land, and described by M. Oustalet from the single example obtained by that 
gentleman, it has now been again obtained in the same country by Mr. Lort P hil lips, and I 
believe that these three specimens are the only ones at present known to ornithologists. 
A plate of this Bee-eater was published in M. Bevoil’s work (l. a.), and the following is the 
original description by M. Oustalet in the same work “ Yertice, alis caudaque viridihus, gula 
et pectore albidis, abdomine fulvescente ; superciliis, lumbis caudseque tectricibus superioribus et 
inferioribus caeruleis, regione interscapulari fulva, plaga postoculari, rostro pedibusque nigris.” 
According to Mr. Lort Phillips, this Bee-eater is common on the extensive plateau between 
Berbera and the Haynes Liver in Somali-land ; and M. Revoil, who also met with it in the Somali 
country, states that it was observed there in considerable numbers, but he only brought back one 
specimen, the type of the species. Beyond these meagre details nothing whatever appears to be 
known respecting this rare Bee-eater, and the only specimens I have been able to examine are 
the following, one of which is the specimen I have figured and described, viz. : — 
E Mm. E. Lort Phillips. 
a, b. Somali-land (E. L. Phillips). 
