ABYSSINIAN RUFOUS WIUGED BEE EATER.
MEROPE LAFRESNArl.
M E L I T T O P H A G U S LAFRESNAYEI.
ABYSSINIAN KUEOÜS-WINGED BEE-EATEE,
Merops variegatus, Rüpp. Neue Wirbclth. p. 72 (1835, nee Vicill.) ; id. Syst. Uebera. p. 21, no. 100 (1815); Heugl.
Syst. Uebcrs. no. 143 (1855).
Merops lafresnayei, Guerin, Rev. Zool. 1843, p. 322; id. in Ferret & Galin. Voy. Abyss. Üi. p. 2-13 (1847); Brehm,
Habesch, p. 210 (18G3); Heugl. J. f. 0 . 1801, p. 355 ; id. Orn. N.O.-Afr. i. p. 20G (18G9); Harth & Finsch,
Orn. Ost-Afr. p. 192 (1870, footnote); Finsch, Trans. Zool. Soe. vii. p. 225 (1870); Blanf. Gool. & Zool.
Abyss, p. 322 (1870).
Merops Jcfebvrii, Des Mutt, Rev. Zool. 1810, p. 243 ; id. Icon. Orn. pi. 3 t (181G); Des Murs & Frev. in Lcfebv.
Abyss. Ois. pp. 83, 164, pi. v. (1850).
Melittophagus lafresnuyi (Guur.), Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 163 (1850); Licht. Nomcnel. Av. p. GG (1854); Von
Müller, J. f. O. 1855, p. 11.
Sphecophobus lafresnayi (Guer.), Reichcnh. Meropina:, p. 82 (1852); Gray, Hand-1. ofB. i. p, 100.no. 1220 (1869).
Figur w notabilea.
Ferret Sc Galin. Voy. Abyss. Atl. pi. 15; Des Murs, Icon. Orn. pi. 31; Lefcbv. Abyss. Ois. pi. v.; Rcichenhach,
Merophne, pi. ccccxlvii. fig. 3239.
HAB. The. highlands of Abyssinia.
Ad. supra, psittacino-viridis, fronte et supercilüs Isete ultramarinis : remigibus primariis viridibus intus versus basin
pallide. cinnamomeis: sceundariis cinnamomeo-aurautincis conspicuc nigro tcrminatis et in apice ipso fuscoalbido
marginatis : rcctricibus duabus ccutralibus viridibus, rebquis cinnaraomco-aurantiacis conspicue nigro
termiuatis et albido apicatis: stria trans oculari nigra: gulfl intense ilavfi : torque pcctorali late eyauco, infra
castaneo cinnamomco margin ato: abdomine reliquo rufescenti-aurautiaco: rostro nigro: pedibus fusco-
Juv. {fide Hcugliu) pallidior, supra magis cierulcsccns: gula ilavicanti-albida, latcralitcr purius alb!: torque
jugulari cyaneo nullo: pectore ct cpigastrio e cajrulescenti-viridi adumbratis.
Adult male (Seutife, 12th May).—Forehead and a broad superciliary stripe rich turquoiscblue,
the crown being also marked with the same colour; rest of the upper parts rich parrotgreen
; primaries green, the basal portions of the inner webs golden orange; secondaries golden
orange, broadly terminated with black, narrowly tipped with brownish grey, and marked with
green where the orange and black colours meet; elongated innermost secondaries green marked
with turquoise-blue; central rectriccs green like the back, the remaining tail-feathers deep golden
orange, broadly terminated with black and tipped with dull white; a broad black band passes
through and behind the eye; chin and throat rich deep yellow, below which a rich blue band