ANGOLAN BEE EATER
MEI.1TTOFHA.CUS S0NN1N1I
M E L I T T O P H A G U S S O N N I N IL
ANGOLAN TÎEE-EATEE.
Le Guêpier à collier gros-bleu ou le Guêpier Sonnini, Levaill. Hist. Nat. Guêp. p. 33, pl. 7 (1807).
Me/ittoplwgus sonnini, Boic, Isis, 1828, p. 31G ; Bp. Consp. Gcn. Av. i. p. 1G3 (1850).
Merops angolensis, Gray, Gcn. of B. 1. p. 86 (1816, nec Gm.) ; Reichcnow, J. f. Orn. 1877, p. 81.
Mclitlophagiis cyanipectus, Yerrcaux, Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1851, p. 209.
Merops cyanipectus (Verr.), Reich en bach, Mcropinie, p. 71 (1852).
Sphecophobus sonnini (Boic), Rcichcnbach, torn. cit. p. 82 (1852).
Sphecophobus cyanipectus (Verr.), Rcicbcnbacb, torn. cit. p. 82 (1852).
Mrlillopliagus angolensis, Cab. Mus. Hein. Si. p. 135 (1859-60, nec Gm.).
Merops sonnini (Boic), Bocage, J. Sc. Ac. Lisb. ii. p. 135 (1807); id. op. cit. iv. p. 332 (1869).
Merops varieijatus, Bocage, Orn. d'Angola, p. 91 (1881, nec Yicill.).
Figures notabiles.
Lcvaillant, Hint. Nat. Gufp. pl. 7 ; Ilcichenhach, Meropinje, pl. ccccxlvii. figs. 3237, 3238.
HAD. West Africa.
Ad. M.pusU/o similis, sed sllprà eoloribus satiiralinriliiis : fascia pectoral j ketè. c;crille;i nee nigrà cl gui a1 I iti rilj -
albis facile distiuguendus ; rostro et pedibus nigris, iride rubrâ.
Jul'. M.pusillo similis, sed major cl guhc lateribus albidis.
Adult (Omoro, Gaboon).—Resembles M. pitsillus, but lias tbc upper parts rather darker;
the band across the lower throat is deep blue, and the sides of the throat below the black band
which passes through and behind the eye are pure white. Legs and bill black ; iris red. Total
length about 6 inches, culinen 1-25, wing 3-1, tail 2-75, tarsus 045 ; tail very slightly cmarginate,
the outer rcctrices being barely longer than the central ones.
Young (Muni river).—Resembles the young of M. pitsillus, hut may be distinguished by
being rather larger, and having the black facial patch bordered below with dull white.