M E R O P S
BLACK-HEADED
B R E W E R I .
GREEN BEE-EATER.
Merops breweri, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil. 1859, p. 1 4 ; Bocage, Orii. d*Angola, p, 537 (1881).
Bombyhnax breweri (Cass.), Heine, J. f. Orn. 1859, p. 4 3 4 ; G. E . Gray, Haiid-1. of B . i. p. 98, no. 1200 (1869) ;
Eeichenow, J. f. Orn. 1877, p. 21.
Meropogon breweri, Cass. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil. 1859, p. 3 9 ; Heine, J. f. O. 1859, p. 4 3 3 ; Cass. J. Acad. N .
Sc. Phil. 2nd ser. iv. p. 321, pi. 49. fig. 1 (1860); Sharpe & Bouvier, Bull. Soc. Zool. France, i. p. 4 0 (1876).
Archimerops breweri (Cass.), Hartl. in Wicgm. Archiv, xxvi. p. 90 (1860).
Figura unica.
Cassia, J. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil. 2nd ser. iv. pi. 49. Jig. 1.
HAD. West Africa.
Ad. capite et collo saturate nigris i corpore et alis supra cum rcctricibus centralibus duabus elongatis, saturate
psittacino-viridibus : eaudil castaneo-ruf.1, rectricibus extcrnis utrinque in pogonio extcrno saturate viridibus:
corpore subtus aurantiaco vix viridi tincto : rostro et pedibus nigris : iridc rubra.
Adult male (Landana, W. Africa).—Head and neck deep black; upper parts generally and
the two central elongated rectrices rich deep parrot-green; tail deep fox-red tipped with green,
and the outer web of the external feather on each side deep green; undcrparts deep golden orange
with a greenish wash ; beak and legs black, iris red. Total length about 12 to 13 inches, culinen
1-9, height of culmen at base 0"4, wing 4-G, tail 6i>, central rectrices extending 1'9 beyond the
lateral ones, tarsus 0'55.
Adult female.—Does not differ from the male.
BUT little is known respecting this rare species, and it is only lately that specimens have been
obtainable through dealers. It was first obtained by DuChaillu on t he Gaboon, and was described
by Cassin from a specimen brought back by him. It is stated by DuChaillu to occur on the Gamma
and Ogobai rivers in Gaboon; Dr. Beicheuow records it from the Loaugo coast; and Professor
Barboza du Bocage writes (I. c.) that it inhabits the coast of Loaugo and Chinchouxo, giving as
his authorities Dr. Falkcnstein and I I . L. Petit alné. This latter gentleman met with it on the
Couo-o; and I am indebted to him for the following notes respecting its habits :—" This pretty
black-headed Bee-eater is not common, and on only one occasion did I meet with about forty
individuals perched on a tree on the banks of the Chiloaugo river near Landana, ami was