85 



BEE-EATEE. 



YELLOW-THROATED BEE-EATER. COMMON BEE-EATER. GNAT-SNAPPER. 



PLATE XLI. PIG. I. 



Merops ajyiaster, LTNN^US. PENNANT. 



" chrysocephalus, LATHAM. 



" galilceus, HASSELQUIST. 



THE nest is placed in holes in banks, which latter are thus, as is 

 only to be expected in the case of a Bee-eater, completely 'honey- 

 combed/ The bird scoops out a hole by means of its bill and feet, 

 to the depth of from one to two yards, sufficiently large to admit its 

 body, and its legs being short, a wide orifice is not required; this 

 passage is widened out at the end into a receptacle for the nest, which 

 is said to be composed of moss. 



The eggs, which are hatched in May, are glossy white, of a globular 

 form, and from five to six or seven in number. 



