EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 1G5 



Its eggs appear to be two in number, and he describes them as 

 more yellow in tinge than the eggs of the Common Goatsucker, 

 while they are also smaller and paler. I have not been able to 

 obtain a specimen to figure in the present work. 



THE BED-NECKED NIGHTJAB. 

 (Gaprimulgus ruficollis.) 



Plate 17, Figs. 1, 3. 



The claim of the Bed-necked Nightjar to be included in the list 

 of British birds rests upon a single example which was shot 

 on the 5th of October, 1856, at Killingworth, near Newcastle. 

 This species has a very restricted range, and is only known to 

 breed in North-west Africa and the Spanish Peninsula, though it 

 has occurred several times near Marseilles, and in other localities 

 in the extreme south-east of France. 



Like the Common Nightjar it lays two eggs on the bare ground, 

 and they can scarcely be distinguished from those of C. europccus. 



FAMILY MEBOPID.E, 



OR BEE-EATEBS. 



Of the two species of Bee-eater entered on the British list, 

 the Blue-tailed Bee-eater has been shot on one occasion, while 

 M. apiaster has occurred many times. 



THE COMMON BEE-EATEB. 



{Merops apiaster.) 

 Plate 48, Fig. 6. 



The Common Bee-eater is only an accidental straggler to the 

 British Islands. It is a regular summer visitor to Europe south 

 of the Carpathians. Throughout North Africa it is principally 

 known as a spring and autumn migrant, but many remain to 



