OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 163 



place or one near by. It is one of those birds that come into 

 Northern Victoria about October of each year, and go out 

 nearly the same way as they came, in January or February. 



The birds associate in small flocks, and their elegance and 

 beauty make them general favourites whenever they are seen 

 beyond the close environment of bee-farms. It is all over 

 Australia, and is a world-wide form, our one being the 

 Australian species, and the only species known on this 

 continent. In its nidification it is very much like the 

 Kingfishers, tunnelling holes for nests and laying vrhite eggs. 

 Mr. Arnold says : — " The Spaniards, who eat all sorts of 

 httle game, with no regard for plumage or habits, capture 

 bee-eaters at night by going round and pouring water into 

 holes in banks and trees where they roost, at the same time 

 holding a net over the entrances, into which the affrighted 

 birds speedily dart." These people pay a penalty for every 

 bird destroyed. It is rarely seen so far south as the latitude 

 of 37 degrees. 



Nest. — A tunnel in flat or rising ground, or in the bank of a 

 watercourse ; no vegetable nest at the end. 



Eggs. — Five to the clutch ; pearly white. Length, 0.8 inch ; 

 breadth, 0.7 inch. 



