21.8 ^Ir. Guy A. K. Alarsliall on 



not appear to frequent the river-banks, but occurs in small 

 parties of three or four^ settling on low trees and bushes in 

 the open forest, far from water. I have never seen it flying 

 high in the air, like the larger species. Stomachs contained 

 grasshoppers and hymenoptera. 



117. Meltttophagus meridionalis. (Little ]5ee-eater.) 

 A common resident species, always found in proximity to 



water, generally in pairs, but occasionally in small flocks. 

 Its flight is low and rarely sustained for any great distance, it 

 being a fearless little bird. Stomachs contained small wasps 

 and beetles. 



118. Merops apiaster. (European Bee-eater.) 



This is our only migratory Bee-eater, arriving from the 

 north generally about November and breeding in colonies in 

 the sandy banks of the larger rivers. It is usually seen in 

 fairly large flocks, which occur on the outskirts of the bush, 

 especially near water, and often soars to a considerable 

 height. Stomachs contained hymenoptera, winged termites, 

 and locusts. 



119. Merops natalensis. (Carmine-throated Bee-eater.) 

 This lovely bird is very scarce near Salisbury, but is 



fairly plentiful in the loAver veldt all round. In its habits it 

 is very similar to the preceding species, but is an even more 

 persistent high-flier. I have often found that lighting a 

 grass-fire is an eff"ectual way to draw them down to earth 

 again, for they will come to hawk for insects in the smoke, 

 like the Drongos. In November 1897 I saw a large colony 

 nesting in holes in the sandy bank of the Odzi river in 

 Manika. They are especially partial to the migratory locust, 

 and I was much surprised to find in the stomach of one of 

 them an example of a blister-beetle. 



120. Merops albifrons. (White-fronted Bee-eater.) 

 Obtaiued by Mr. Ayres on the Lower Hanyani river. 



121. Ceryle RUDis. (Pied Kingfisher.) 



Fairly common, occurring in pairs along all the rivers. 



