The BEE-WOLF (_Melittotheres nubicus_) is recognisable from its congeners
by its comparatively powerful frame, strong beak, and the great length
of its centre tail-feathers. The magnificently-tinted plumage of this
beautiful bird is deep red on the back, and rose-pink on the under side;
the head, throat, rump, and centre tail-covers are blueish green; the
cheek-stripe from the corner of the beak, around the eye to the ear, the
tips of the exterior and anterior quills, and the extremities of the
centre tail-feathers are black. The eye, like that of all Bee-eaters, is
light red, the beak black, and the foot brown. This gorgeous species is
thirteen inches and a quarter long, the wing measures five inches and
three-quarters, and the outer tail-feathers four inches and one-third; the
long centre feathers are seven inches long.
The "Bee-wolves" inhabit the eastern coast of Africa, and are very
numerous in some parts. Heuglin tells us that in Cordofania he constantly
saw them perching on the backs of cattle, and from thence darting down to
seize the grasshoppers disturbed by these involuntary assistants as they
wander over the plain.