THE 
SUPERB BEE-EATER. 
Generic Character. 
Bill curved, comprefled, carinated, and lharp 
pointed. 
Tongue (generally) laciniated at the tip. 
Feet grefforial, i. e. three toes forward and one 
backward; and the three lower joints of the 
middle toe clofely joined to thofe of the 
outmoft. 
Specific Character. 
RED BEE-EATER, with front, throat, and 
rump, blue; and the two middle tail-feathers 
longer than the reft. 
The colours of this bird differ fo much from thofe of 
the Merops Brafilienfis of Mr. Latham, to which it is 
yet extremely nearly allied, as to juftify its being re¬ 
garded as a diftind fpecies. I have therefore called it 
by a different title. The beautiful fpecimen from which 
the prefent figure was taken is preferved in the Britilh 
Mufeum. 
C % 
