97 
Expedition to the Zambesi River. 
The food of this species consists chiefly of various beetles. 
The stomachs of many specimens that we procured contained 
nothing hut these insects. 
On August linear the village of Umquasi, some 60 miles 
below Tete, a bird was observed with building material in its 
beak; this species often breeds in company with M. natalensis. 
132. Merops apiaster (Linn.). 
On October 28 we saw for the first time a flock of this 
species beating down the river at a rapid rate, and another 
flock two days later. 
133. Merops persicus (Pall.). 
It was not till after the first rain had fallen (November 21) 
that we observed these Bee-eaters, which suddenly appeared 
in small parties of five or six and frequented the tops of the 
tall acacia-trees, whence they uttered their peculiar notes— 
a weak rattle. The majority were adults, the feathers of the 
upper parts becoming blue. 
134. Merops boehmi (Reichen.). 
Rare. We observed it in only one locality, some 60 miles 
below Tete, on the left bank, and where the country was 
thickly wooded. We landed here on August 1, and while 
forcing our way through the thick undergrowth we came 
across a few of these elegant little Bee-eaters. It was towards 
evening and they were very busy catching their prey, darting 
frequently straight up from their perches with a u whirring 33 
sound of wings, followed by a click of beaks whenever prey 
was caught, and then graceful circular swoops down to their 
perches again. This bird is shy and retiring by nature, and 
seeks a home in the little natural clearings that are common 
in the thick woods. 
Adult. Wing 3T4 inches, culmen IT, tail 3, centre tail- 
feathers 5*7. Iris red. 
135. Merops natalensis (Reichen.). 
Our first observation of this beautiful Bee-eater was just 
above Senna, where the Shire river joins the Zambesi. Our 
steamer, towards evening, had stuck on a sandbank, and 
ser. vri.— yol. vi. 
H 
