HO THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



distinguish one species from another, and knows something of their 

 habits. Except the Sand Martin, they all take up their abode close 

 to our habitations, building their nests and rearing their young almost 

 before our eyes. So constantly are they about us, and withal so elegant 

 in appearance and lively in their manners, that we seem to look upon 

 them as a necessary part of summer, and should miss their presence, 

 even as we should miss the flowers from the woods, fields, and 



The Bee-eater, a rare visitor to our shores, belongs to the geniss 

 Merops, and is somewhat similar in its habits to the Swallow, capturing 

 its prey on the wing in the same manner. It is remarkable for its 

 elongated bill, small and feeble feet, and brilliant plumage, resembling 

 in all these particulars the Kingfishers, to which family naturalists have 

 attached it. 



