Volume 19, Plate IX / Ornithology (Birds)

Blue-Headed, or Red Bee-Eater

Merops cæruleocephalus

A striking bee-eater whose plumage is bright brick-dust red above and lighter, rosier below, with a dull greenish blue head shaded black and brighter blue tail-covers. The quills are broadly tipped black with notched ends, the ears black and the under wing-covers rufous, the even notched tail bearing two attenuated, blackish middle feathers, the whole some thirteen inches long.