2S2r Lieut. 11. M. Sperling on the 



ranean. They migrate to Africa in the winter, leaving Europe 

 about the middle of September, and returning early in April. I 

 have repeatedly met them at sea during their migrations ; besides 

 which, I have remarked them as being very common in Syria, 

 Malta, and Rhodes; in the latter place they were hawking for 

 flies in the air. 



60. Bee-eater. {Merops apiasfei-.) 



This graceful bird is also common in the Mediterranean, and 

 is certainly one of the most beautiful members of its avifauna. 

 In the hottest days their bubbling, bell-like notes sound from 

 far off as they float towards you, glittering like green flakes 

 when the sun strikes the varied tints of their plumage. They 

 are generally in flocks of about ten or twelve ; and I have noticed 

 that, after they have been in one place about half an hour, they 

 will move off and " beat " in another locality. They leave Africa 

 for Europe about the 10th of April. 



61. Kingfisher. [Alcedo ispida.) 



Common about the marshes and salt-water lagoons of Greece. 



62. Black-and-White Kingfisher. {Alcedo rudis.) 



I have seen some of these birds on the coast of Syria, hovering 

 amongst the small coasting-vessels. I have also noticed a few 

 of them on the inland rivers of that country. 



63. Roller. [Curacias garrula.) 



Like the Hoopoe, this is a common bird round the shores of 

 the Mediterranean. I have observed it in Malta and Syria, in 

 the latter locality in great abundance. In most accounts of the 

 Roller's habits it is stated to be a shy bird, frequenting woods 

 and forests; my experiences of it are exactly the reverse. I 

 think, observations are often made on the habits of birds in the 

 vicinity of towns or thickly populated districts, where, from being 

 so much exposed to raids from the human species, they would 

 naturally be more shy than in more retired and natural haunts. 

 On the Plain of Sharon, where the distance between trees is 

 measured by miles, I have seen Rollers in the greatest abun- 

 dance, their beautiful green bodies bending the slender reeds of 

 a swamp, apparently waiting for deluded frogs to make their 



