1 10
might have an opportunity of examining the type specimen; hut continual calls on my time
forbade my undertaking a trip to Paris in order to do so; and, besides, I was unable to send over
my artist, Mr. Keulcmans, in order that he might figure the type example for the present work,
as bis time was so fully occupied here.
However, I have now fortunately been able to examine two specimens obtained by Mr.
E. Lort Phillips on the plateau of the Somali country above Berbera, which were most
courteously placed at my disposal, one of which I have figured, and am glad to find that it
is a most distinct and easily recognizable species, nearest allied perhaps to Melittophaijus
hvllochi, but differing very appreciably and constantly from that Bee-eater. First obtained by
M. Revoil in Somali-land, and described by M. Oustalet from the single example obtained by that
gentleman, i t has now been again obtained in the same country by Mr. Lort Phillips, and I
believe that these three specimens are the only ones at present known to ornithologists.
A plate of this Bee-eater was published in M. Bcvoil's work (1. c ) , and the following is the
original description by M. Oustalet in the same work:—"Vertice, alis caudaque viridihus, gula
et pectore albidis, abdominc fulvescente; supereiliis, lumbis cauda;que tectricibua superioribus et
inferioribus cseruleis, regione interscapular! fulva, plaga postoculari, rostro pedibusque nigris."
According to Mr. Lort Phillips, this Bee-eater is common on the extensive plateau between
Berbera and the llaynes River in Somali-land; and M. Revoil, who also met with it in the Somali
country, states that it was observed there in considerable numbers, but he only brought back one
specimen, the type of the species. Beyond these meagre; details nothing whatever appears to be
known respecting this rare Bee-eater, and the only specimens I have been able to examine are
the following, one of which is the specimen I have figured and described, viz. :—
E Mits. E. Lort Phillips.
a, h. Somali-land (E. L. Phillips).
I N D E X OF S P E C I F I C N A M ES
ADOPTED AND REFERRED TO.
Aerops, 19.
albicollis, 47.
Alcemerops, 1.
amicta, 3.
amictus, 3.
athertoni,7.
paUazureus, 7.
Apiaster, 75, 103.
bemjaltnsis torquatus, 31.
ex Francvr. insula, 27.
icterocephalos, 75.
Tnadai/a&carkitsis, 71.
• turijiiatus, 31.
pMlippensis, 55.
major, 55.
Archimerops, 19.
breweri, 21.
Hee-ealer, Abyssinian, 105.
, Angolan, 107.
, Australian, 51.
-, Hack-backed, 124.
, Black-headed Green, 22.
, Blue-browed Green, 40 i.
, Blue-cheeked, 63.
——Blue-necked, 7.
, Bluo-tailed, 55.
, Blue-throated Green, 41.
, Hue-vented, 133.
. , Buff-headed Green, 45.
, Carmine-throated, 94.
, Chestuut-aud-Green, 27.
, Chestnut-headed, 115.
, Common, 75.
, Forstcn's, 15.
, Green-throated, 89.
, Groy-and-lted, 87.
Eeo-eater, Javan, 121.
, Little Green, 31.
, Madagascar, 71.
, Pink-crowned, 3.
, Red-throated Blue, 127.
, Kevoil's, 139.
, Rufous-winged, 111.
, Sumatran, 24.
• , Swallow-tailed, 99.
White-fronted, 129.
, White-necked, 47.
, Yellow-throated, 137.
Blephamerops a:gyptius, 63.
savignyi, (¡3.
Blcpharomtrops, 19.
agyptius, 71.
daudini, 56.
javanicus, 55.
pldtippinus, 55.
sKpcrdliostts, 71.
Bombyhnax, 19.
brtwsri, 21.
a&ertoni, 7.
nipalcnsis, 7.
Cieonia abdimii, 91.
Coecolarynx, 103.
bolalavskii, 137.
bullod-i, 103, 133.
luUod-ioidtt, 129.
frcnatw, 133.
muiieus, 5.
Coraeiat garrulul, 83.
Cosmuereps, 19.
carulesccns, 51.
Coturnix communis, 83.