486 PASSERINES. 



build its nest, and the sea remained perfectly calm. To its dead 

 body the attributes of turning aside thunder-bolts, of giving beauty, 

 peace and plenty, and other absurdities were ascribed. Even now, 

 in some remote provinces of France, the dead birds are invested 

 with the power of preserving woollen stuffs from the attack of the 

 moth ; hence they are called Moth Birds by drapers and shop- 

 keepers. They are inhabitants of almost every region of the 

 globe, and comprehend a great number of species, spread over 

 Asia, Africa, and America.* Europe possesses one species not 

 larger than a Sparrow, and which is remarkable for the rich 

 colouring of its feathers. What, indeed, can surpass the bril- 

 liancy of the King-fisher as it suddenly darts along some mur- 

 muring brook, tracing a thread of azure and emerald ? Some 

 authors separate the King-fishers, properly so called, or river- 

 side birds, from the Bee- eaters and other Fissirostral birds, which, 

 while they resemble each other in many physical characteristics, 

 differ essentially in their habits ; in short, while the one haunts 

 the river, feeds upon its inhabitants, and nests upon its margin, 

 the other keeps to the woods and forests, feeds upon insects, and 

 builds in holes in trees. 



The Ceyx Menintmg of Lesson {Alcedo Biru of Horsfield) very 

 closely resembles the King-fisher of Europe in its habits ; it darts 

 in short, rapid flight along the surface of lakes and rivulets, emit- 

 ting shrill, discordant sounds ; it perches on trees on the river 

 banks, and feeds on small fishes and aquatic insects. The tarsus is 

 smooth, the inner toe suppressed ; in other respects its habits 

 are those of the King-fisher. 



The Bee-eaters {Meropidce) have the beak long, thin, slightly 

 curved, and pointed, the mandible having a trenchant edge ; the 

 tarsi short ; the wings long and pointed ; the tail well developed, 

 tapering, or forked. The}^ are slender, light, and clamorous ; 

 their cries are incessant, while they skim through the air on 

 rapid wing with well-sustained flight. Their name of Bee-eaters 

 they take from their principal food, which consists of various 

 Hymenoptera, especially bees and wasps. They seize their prey 

 either on the wing, like the Swallows, or they hide themselves at 



* In China a great number of species are to be found, all robed in the most 

 lliant plumage, nine of which we have collected. — Ed. 



