50 PASSERES. MEROPID.E. 



are laid, and the young do not leave the hole till 

 able to fly, after which they sit on a branch for 

 a few days, and are fed by the parents. 



The Kingfisher is partially migratory in this 

 country ; and, though some remain with us through 

 the winter, they retire at that time from the 

 rivers and pools, to the estuaries and creeks of 

 the southern coast, where they can still obtain 

 their prey. 



Fabulous stories of great antiquity are current 

 concerning this bird ; and in country places, even 

 in this country, it is still the object of silly super- 

 stitions, which are not worth refuting. 



FAMILY VI. MEROPID^E. 



We trace, in the lengthened form of the beak 

 in this Family, an approach to the succeeding 

 Tribe of Passerine birds ; while yet many of the 

 species have this character modified so as to re- 

 semble more the Fissirostral type. The outer 

 pair of toes are united as in the Todies and King- 

 fishers. The beak is long, slender, tapering, and 

 slightly curved; the wings are long and pointed; 

 the first quill, for the most part, being nearly or 

 quite as long as any other. 



The Bee-eaters are generally of a green colour, 

 varied with blue. They associate in flocks, which 

 in their rapid flight, their evolutions, and their 

 long wings and tails, much resemble Swallows. 

 They feed on large insects, which they capture 

 and eat during flight; and are confined to the 

 continents and islands of the eastern hemisphere. 



