Its range in the Cape Colony is not extensive, and not many
specimens have come under our notice from the colony itself. Mr.
T. B. Bayley, of Wynberg, shot a specimen on the Cape Plats and
sent it to the Cape Town Museum, and Mr. Dumbleton, of the same
town, assures us that these birds periodically visit a circumscribed
portion of the Plats in considerable numbers. On the 15th of February,
1866, a specimen was sent to the Museum by Mr. Bishop,
shot near KuiTs River. In Natal, according to Mr. Ayres, they
only inhabit the coast-lands, and are migratory, appearing only
during the months of the South j\frican summer. Dr. Kirk observed
them in the Zambesi district, where he says they were gregarious,
but not found in any numbers during the wet season. Mr. Andersson
first noticed them near the River Okavango, and afterwards obtained
several specimens in Ondonga, on the 20th and 28th of November,
1866. Senor Anchieta met with the species, on the Rio Coroca in
Mossamedes, and it has also been sent from Benguela by Senor
Furtado d'Antas. I t also extends to Angola proper, having been
obtained there by Mr. Monteiro, whose specimens are now in the
British Museum.
Dr. Kirk gives the following note on its habits in the Zambesi
district:—“ The nests are formed in the clay or sandy perpendicular
banks of rivers, and consist of long passages about three inches in
diameter, tunnelled in the face of the bank and generally about two
feet apart. The colony occupies a space of about fifty yards in
extent. In the heat of the day they are seen flying together near
their settlements, catching flies on the wing.” Mr. Ayres writes:—
“ These birds take their food on the wing, and their flight somewhat
resembles that of the Swallows : they frequently alight on the trees
and branches to rest: during flight they utter a harsh grating
note.”
This species is one of the larger Beereaters, measuring as follows:
—Total length, 10 inches ; bill, f r ; wing, 5'75 ; tail, 4’03 ; tarsus,
0-5 ; middle tail feathers, 6'2. The general colour is green both
above and below, the forehead whitish, the ears black: both above
and below the eye a more or less distinct bluish stripe; chin
yellow, passing into chesnut, the latter forming a conspicuous gular
patch.
Fig. Shelley, B. Egypt/ pi. vii. fig. 1.