708 
Mr. W. L. Sclater on Birds collected 
North-Eastern. Transvaal, and the Inhambane, Beira, 
Gorongoza, and Tete districts of Portuguese East Africa. 
In habits this little Bee-eater is somewhat different to the 
other species; it is usually observed along the banks of 
rivers and streams or low-lying swampy ground, where it 
sits on the tops of the bushes and reeds, from which it darts 
out on to its prey, coming back to its perch in a graceful 
circle. In the Inhambane district I have seen it some 
considerable distance from water, and I have found it sitting 
in the bushes and stumps in native clearings and lands. 
The call is a sharp single note, not loud, and is often 
uttered when disturbed, especially by pairs. It apparently 
breeds from October onwards, and I took the eggs and 
young in the Beira district in October and December 
respectively. The nesting-hole is placed in a bank, often on 
the railway, and runs in only about two feet in length, with 
a slight upward tendency and a cavity at the end. The 
hole is usually run in straight. I have seen it turned 
at right angles at a few inches from the entrance, but this 
is generally due to the birds meeting with hard soil or roots. 
The clutch is apparently four, although three is often taken, 
and both birds assist in incubation and feeding the young. 
The food consists of insects, which are usually caught on 
the wing. 
The soft parts of the adult are :—Irides crimson; bill, 
legs and toes black. In the young the irides are brown.] 
411. Melittophagus btjllockoides. 
Tv. Legogot, Apl., May (5); P. Tete, Sept. (1). 
[This is distinctly a scarce Bee-eater. At Legogot it 
was fairly common, going about in flocks of twenty or more 
and generally hawking high up out of shot ; towards evening 
these would congregate together, and with much calling and 
circling at a great height go away towards the Legogot Moun¬ 
tains, where they roosted on the ledges of the rocks or in 
the deep dongas. In the Tete district only a pair or so were 
seen. The cry is somewhat sharper and shriller than that 
of the other Bee-eaters. 
The soft parts are:—Irides hazel; bill, legs and toes black.] 
