OF VICTORIA. 155 



state a case in their favour, because, while the bee-keeper 

 is likely to suffer a little, the cultivators of the soil 

 benefit much. Go to their nests when the callow young 

 are in them, and in the majority of cases you will find 

 an exceedingly large number of insects (not bees) awaiting 

 home consumption. Previous to this they are either 

 on trees perched in anticipation of a bettle or fly passing 

 that way, or are in pursuit of it. It makes short 

 incursions from a branch, returning to the same 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 white 

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

 of little 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." People who eat " robins on 

 toast" are not good examples for Australians to follow. It 

 is rarely seen so far south as the latitude of Melbourne. 



Nest. — Tunnelled in the flat or rising ground, or in the 

 bank of a watercourse ; no vegetable nest at the end of it. 



Eggs. — Five to the clutch ; pearly white. Length, 0*8 

 inch ; breadth, 0*7 inch. 



