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migratory, appearing in favourable localities literally in thousands 

 during the breeding season, and breed in colonies; whist others are 

 more or less solitary. 



They all nest in holes in the ground, excavating long tunnels in 

 sandy banks of rivers or sides of ditches and roads, laying glossy 

 round white eggs on the bare earth, or on a pad of insect wings. 



Burmese name Pasinto. 



THE COMMON INDIAN BEE EATER. 



This is the familiar little green bird with a golden coppery sheen, 

 which skims through the sunlight in front of one. Two or more are 

 generally to be seen together, seated on some favourite perch, from 

 which they make sallies from side to side, flashing through the air with 

 pleasant rolling notes. It is in fact one of the commonest birds out 

 here, looking on telegraph wires and fences as its own particular 

 property, judging from the numbers to be seen perching on them. 



They are a beautiful grass green, the forehead having a golden 

 tinge, the remainder of upper plumage more or less burnished ; 

 chin and throat verdigris-blue with a black collar below; the two 

 middle tail feathers elongated and pointed; bill curved; length about 

 eight inches. They are more or less solitary in nesting habits, 

 burrowing into the banks of streams and roads, and laying three or 

 four beautiful shining round white eggs. 



Burmese name Ye-thugyi-gaung. 

 (No. 1026. Merops viridis.) 



THE BLUE TAILED BEE-EATER. 



Larger than the last, having its upper plumage green ' with a 

 coppery tinge, rump, upper tail coverts and tail bright blue, a black 

 line passing through the eye, bordered above and below by blue; chin 

 yellow, throat chestnut and breast green ; and the two central tail 

 feathers elongated ; total length about twelve inches. 



This is an extremely common bird in some parts, congregating in 

 countless numbers for nesting purposes in places where the river 

 banks are favourable, honeying these with numerous tunnels. After 

 the breeding season, which is in May and June, the majority seem to 

 disappear. They lay the usual round white eggs of the family. 



(No. 1027. M. philippinus.) 



THE CHESTNUT-HEADED BEE-EATER 



Not so common as the last, as it does not collect together for nest- 

 ing purposes, generally preferring well-wooded country and low hills. 

 A very handsome little bird, having its body green, its head a beauti- 

 ful rich chestnut, chin and throat yellow, upper breast rufous border- 

 ed with black. Its tail however is not lengthened like that of the 



