NATURAL HISTORY. 



231 



stream, little more than a drain, at little Hinton, Wiltshire, 

 where no fish lived, nor were there any to be i'ound within a 

 considerable distance. The eggs are from four to seven in 

 number, of a pearly whiteness, and remarkably globular in 

 shape. In many parts of the country it is fully believed that 

 if a kingfisher is dried and suspended by the beak, the breast 

 will always turn in the direction of the wind. This belief has 

 caused the death of no few kingfishers, whose suspended bodies 

 may be seen in many a cottage, their brilliant blue and red 

 plumage rotating in a most impartial manner. The length of 

 this bird is seven inches. 



Family VI. . . Meropidie. 

 Sub-family a. . Meropince. 



MKROPS. (Gr. Mtpoi/>.) 



Apiaster (Lat. Bcc-eatcr.) 



The BEE-EATER is common on the Continent, but seldom 

 visits England. In appearance it is not very unlike the king- 

 fisher, both in shape and its brilliant colours. It has long 

 been celebrated for the havoc it causes among the inhabitants 

 of the hive, although it does not restrict itself to those insects, 

 but pursues wasps, butterflies, &c., on the wing, with great 

 activity. Like the kingfisher, it lays its eggs in holes bored in 

 banks. The eggs are white, and from four to seven in number. 

 Its length is eleven inches. 



