merops was changed into an eagle, says Ovid, and placed among the constellations,-hence, I suppose, is selected by Emerson as a good type of the kind of soaring thinker he is describing.
"The Three Heron's Feathers"
Hermann Sudermann
The red-bird of our island was judged by Mr Anderson to be a species of merops, about the size of a sparrow, of a beautiful scarlet colour, with a black tail and wings, and an arched bill, twice the length of the head, which, with the feet, was also of a reddish colour.
"A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 16"
Robert Kerr
One of Mr Arnold's strongest points, for instance, not merely against Mr Newman but against Homeric translators generally, is concerned with the renderings of the Homeric compound adjectives, especially the stock ones-koruthaiolos, merops, and the rest.
"Matthew Arnold"
George Saintsbury