BEE-EATER. 
Merops ApiAstEr, Lin. 
This is one of the most elegant of the Kuropean 
birds, and next to the Roller and Kingfisher, may 
be considered as the most brilliant in point of 
colour. It is a native of the warmer parts of 
Europe, being found particularly among the Islands 
of the Grecian Archipelago, and many parts both 
of Asia and Africa. ‘There is no doubt that it is 
also an occasional visitant in this country, several 
specimens having been killed at different periods ; 
but in the north of Europe it is seldom seen. It 
breeds in numbers on the banks of the rivers Don 
and Volga, and along the southern borders of 
Russia, making long horizontal holes for that pur- 
pose. The nest is made of moss and other soft 
materials; the egos are of a pure white colour, 
about an inch in length, and from five to seven in 
number. 
BrTTE RN, AMERICAN. 
ARDEA LENTIGINOSA, Mont. 
This species appears to be generally distributed 
in North America. At certain periods of the year, 
Dr. Richardson says it is a common bird in the 
marshes and willow thickets of the interior of the 
fur country, and in the summer it is frequently seen 
