166 THE FOOD Or BIRDS IN INDIA. 



derus minutus and Sinoxylon anale the only two insects I could 

 see on the wing at the time. A large proportion of the insects 

 taken were seen to be these two insects. The fact that it takes 

 these Wood-borers may be of some little value, if the bird occurs 

 in districts where these stacks exist. Considerable damage is at 

 times done to wood in stacks (I saw. at Quetta, a great deal of 

 wood practically ruined by borers of various kinds which had 

 attacked it after it had been stacked), and the presence of these 

 birds is then of some value, as a check on these insects. 1 have 

 not observed this habit with M . viridis, but considering the general 

 similarity in the feeding habits of the two species, we may certainly 

 assume that viridis will take these insects. 



1028. Merops persicus. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. Said to 

 line its nest with Dragon-flies wings. S. J. Pt. I., C. N. H., 424. 



1029. Merops apiaster. European Bee-eater. Polistes hedrceus. 

 B. N. H. S. J. XIV, 627. 



Nest holes in which were strewn remains of beetles and winged 

 jnsects. B. N., H. S. J., XVI, 749. Said to line nest with elytra 

 and legs of beetles. Jerd., B. L, I, 211. This and other large 

 Bee-eaters feed on various insects chiefly bees and wasps. F. I., 

 Ill, 114. In Spain is a perfect pest to the bee-keeper, catching 

 the workers as they enter and leave the" hive. E. B., C. N. H., 

 p. 388. 



1030. Melittophaga swinhoei. Chestnut- headed Bee-eater^ 

 "Gnats over water (probably ephemerids C. W. M.). "Blue dra- 

 gon-fly. Larvae and eggs of mosquitoes." B. N. H. S. J., X, 540. 

 Small black beetles on sand (not flying). Usually feeds as other 

 bee-eaters, on insects on wing. B. N. H. S. J., XII, 561. 



1031. Nyctiornis athertoni. Blue-bearded Bee-eater. B. N. 

 H. S. J., XII, 60. Bees : beetles. Remains of bees, beetles, and 

 wasps stored in nesting holes. B. N. H. S. J., VI, 333. Bees : 

 leaf and flowers hunted for insects. Eggs eaten by Khasias, so few 

 clutches get hatched. B. N. H. S. J., XVII, 965. Its food is 

 bees and wasps, also Scarabaei, Cicadse, &c. Jerd. B. I., I, 212. 



