328 FOREIGN BIRDS. 



Rice-Buntings, andTuRNSTONES ingenious abound; 

 And Bee-Eaters, ('*) Beef-Eaters, {'^) some were 

 there found » 



('«) Order, Pjce, (Linn.) Bee-Eater, the Common, the 

 Indian. 



The genus Merops, (Linn.) or Bee-Eater, contists of more 

 than forty species, one only of which, the Apiaster, or Common- 

 Bee-Eater, is found in this country. The characteristics of 

 this tribe are a curved, quadrangular, compressed, carinate, 

 pointed bill j tongue slender, the tip (generally) jagged ; feet 

 gressorial. They are scattered over India, Africa, and the 

 South of Europe. 



The Apiaster, or Common-Bee-Eater, from which the rest 

 of the species do not essentially differ, derives its name from 

 subsisting chiefly on bees, wasps, and other insects, which, like 

 the swallow, it catches when on the wing. The head and neck 

 of this bird are chesnut ; upper part of the body pale yellow, 

 with reflections of green and chesnut ; the lower parts azure, 

 brightening towards the tail; bill black, quadrangular, a little 

 bent and sharp at the point ; length ten inches. Digs deep holes 

 in sandy banks, where it lays from five to seven white eggs ; gre- 

 garious, found not only in England, but many other parts of 

 Europe, as well as in Asia and America. There is another va- 

 riety, having a convex instead of a carinate bill, and in which 

 the toes are not connected, as far as the third joint. 



The Rufus, or Rufous -Bee-Eater, is eight inches and half 

 long; plumage in general rufou«, deeper on the upper parts, in- 

 clining to yellow beneath ; builds a curious nest. See the Intro- 

 duction. Eggs four, white, spotted with rufous. Song trifling. 

 Found at Buenos Ay res, and on the River Plate. 



The Bee-Eater is said to be migratory in this country ; but, 

 although occasionally seen here in the summer season, its nest 

 has never, I believe, been discovered. It is said to be plenti- 

 ful, and to breed in the southern parts of Russia. 



