308 INSESSORES. 



fulva, (Lat. tawny,) the REPUBLICAN, or CLIFF SWALLOW. This 

 latter species was described by Gov. De Witt Clinton, in 1824. 

 Its winter retreat, is in Mexico. In summer, it is found in dif- 

 ferent parts of the United States, takingthe course of the valleys 

 of the Mississippi and Ohio. Its nest is composed of mud or 

 clay, with a narrow tubular neck, and resembles a coarse retort. 

 (See Plate XI. fig. 11.) 



THIRD FAMILY BEE-EATERS. 

 MeropidoR, (Gr. jue'^oi//, merops.) 



We place the Bee-eaters next the Swallows, following in that 

 arrangement the classification of Swainson, though sometimes, on 

 account of the lengthened form of the beak in this family, they 

 have been placed immediately before the tenuirostral, or thin- 

 billed birds. 



In addition to the long, slender and tapering beak, the Bee- 

 eaters are distinguished by their long pointed wings ; the first 

 quill, for the most part, being nearly or quite as long as any 

 other. 



These birds are generally of a green color varied with blue. 

 They associate in flocks, and in their appearance and rapid flight 

 are much like the Swallows. The food of the Meropida, con- 

 sists of large insects, which they capture and eat during flight. 

 One species is said to perch and watch for prey on the horn of 

 the Rhinoceros, giving notice to that animal of the approach of 

 the hunter ; but usually they take their food on the wing. These 

 birds are entirely confined to the continents and islands of the 

 eastern hemisphere. They do not construct nests, but lay their 

 eggs in holes. 



The EUROPEAN BEE-EATER, M. apiaster, (Lat. a bee-eater,) 

 in its coloring and shape, is not unlike the King-fisher. It an- 

 nually visits the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, ap- 

 pearing in flocks of twenty or thirty, and skimming over the 

 vineyards and olive plantations in pursuit especially of bees and 

 wasps. It is remarkable that these birds are never stung ; they 

 seize the insect, and with their strong beak crush it at once. 

 The flesh of the Bee-eater is sufficiently esteemed to be sold in 

 the markets both of Italy and Egypt. The boys of Candia, it is 

 said, take it after this manner : they bend a pin like a hook, and 

 tying it by the head to the end of a thread, they thrust it through 

 a Cicada, (as boys bait hooks with a fly,) holding the other end 

 of the thread in their hand. The Cicada so fastened, neverthe- 

 less continues its flight, which the merops perceiving, pursues 

 and catches it, swallowing pin and all, whereby she is captured. 



