BEE-EATERS, ROLLERS, AND DRONGOS 143 



boughs, on the top of railings, or in similar sites 

 affording a good view, every now and then launch- 

 ing out into the air in a set of rapid strokes, 

 sailing onwards on widely-spread wings and tail 

 to secure an insect, and then wheeling suddenly 

 round to return to their perches, showing a series of 

 lovely and contrasting hues of bright green, golden 

 yellow, and warm brown as they alternately present 

 their upper and under feathering to view. When 

 they lay hold of an insect the mandibles are brought 

 together with a resounding snap that may be 

 heard at a considerable distance. The keenness of 

 their sight is astonishing, and one of them may 

 often be seen to sail suddenly out from his perch 

 on the top of a tall tree, and cross a wide open space 

 in order to secure a minute insect that has lighted 

 on the grass at the further side. They sometimes 

 make mistakes in their captures ; and one may 

 occasionally be seen to secure a passing butterfly 

 and almost at once let it go in disgust, so little 

 injured as to be able to continue its flight with 

 undiminished vigour. When an appetising insect 

 of any considerable size has been secured, it is at 

 once conveyed to a convenient place, and there 

 mashed up between the mandibles and against 

 the perch of its captor. 



Very few common gar den -birds are tamer than 

 bee-eaters: they will often alight so close to one 

 that the glinting of their bright eyes and all their 



