14 
and the three lower joints of the middle toe clofely 
joined to thofe of the outmoft. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 
Black Merops varied with yellow. 
THE bird figured in its natural fize on the prefent 
plate is a fpecies of Merops, or Bee-Eater; a tribe which 
appears to be peculiarly prevalent in the extenfive regions 
of Auftralia, fince more birds of this genus have been 
difcovered than of any other, except the very numerous 
one of Pfittacus. 
This fpecies is readily diftinguifhed by its remarkable 
colour from every other kind of Merops yet known. In 
its particular habits and manner of life it probably re~- 
fembles the reft of its congeners; feeding chiefly on 
infects. 
