134 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 
and Cochin China; it extends westwards into Assam, 
Cachar, Sylhet and Tipperah, and even as far as 
Calcutta, but from that place eastwards for a considerable 
distance the birds are of mixed blood, for the two 
species interbreed freely, in spite of the theories of those 
naturalists who maintain that the distinctive markings 
of closely related birds like this serve the purpose of 
preventing mésalliances. Similar cases are those of the 
Goldfinches and Swallows, which I have already mentioned, 
but no acquaintance with such facts hampers the 
average Zoological theorist ! 
THE BEE-EATERS. 
Bee-eaters are birds of rather small size, with long 
curved bills and very small feet ; there are three toes in 
front joined together in a common skin, and one behind. 
The wings are powerful, and the birds live on insects 
captured in flight. The plumage is always very pretty ; 
the cock and hen are alike in colour, and the young 
closely resemble them. The Bee-eaters lay white eggs 
in a burrow which they dig out themselves, many pairs 
breeding in company. 
They are found in warm and temperate climates in 
the Old World, and several kinds are to be seen in 
India. Of these one is among the commonest birds in 
the country. 
THe GREEN Bee-EaterR (Merops viridis). This bird, 
commonly called a Flycatcher by Europeans and known 
in Hindustani as Patringa, and in Bengali as Banspati, 
is conspicuous everywhere by its beautiful green 
