The SWALLOW BEE-EATER (_Melittophagus hirundinaceus_), another species
inhabiting Africa, differs from the birds above described in the formation
of its very deeply forked tail. The mantle is glossy yellowish green, the
lower part of the back and tail being of a somewhat deeper shade; the
under side is light green; the throat saffron yellow, and divided from
the breast by a line of rich ultramarine blue; the vent and a line that
passes from the nostrils over the eyes are deep blue; the cheek-stripes
are black. The body of this species is eight inches and a quarter long;
the wing measures three inches and a half, and the tail four inches
and one-sixth. Le Vaillant, who discovered this beautiful bird in
Southern Africa, tells us that it lives in pairs till after the period
of incubation, when old and young associate in small parties, previous
to the season of migration; they then assemble in very large flocks.
The nest resembles those of other Bee-eaters. The eggs, six or seven in
number, have a blueish-white shell. We also learn from Vaillant that this
brilliant creature exhales a very agreeable odour, resembling the perfume
of a fragrant flower.