HABITS OF THE BEE-EATER 189 



them into " propolis," or that substance with which they harden the edges of their cells, 

 caulk the crevices of the hives, and perform many other useful tasks. It does not, 

 however, confine itself to the hymenopterous insects, but is fond of beetles, cicadas, grass- 

 hoppers, and similar creatures. These it eats entire, ejecting the wing-cases or " eljiftra," 

 the wings, legs, and other indigestible portions, after the manner of the hawk and owL 



Taking advantage of its insect-eating propensities, the boys of the Greek Archipelago, 

 where the Bee-eater is very common, are in the habit of capturing it by means of a hook 

 and line, in a kind of aerial angling, in which the atmosphere takes the place of water, and 

 the victim is haTiled struggling downwards, instead of being drawn struggling upwards. 

 A hook is attached to the end of a strong but slender line, and fastened to a cicada or 

 other insect, in such a manner as to cause no impediment to its flight, and the cicada is 

 then allowed to fly about at will. The Bee-eater soon perceives its fluttering prey, and 

 darting upon it with open beak, is caught by the hook and made prisoner. Swallows are 

 often captured in a somewhat similar manner ; and many a fisherman has been 

 disappointed of his cast by finding that a swallow had taken his fly while it was passing 

 through the air, in the backward sweep preparatory to its fall upon the water. 



While engaged in the pursuit of its prey, the Bee-eater flies at various heights, according 

 to the weather and the species of insect which it is engaged in eating. Sometimes it may 

 be seen careering high in air at so great an elevation that its beautiful colours cannot be 

 distinguished, but attracting great admiration on account of its great command of wing 

 and easy gliding movements. At another *ime it sweeps over the very surface of the 

 ground, snapping up the bees, wasps, and other insects that are not in the habit of 

 ascending to any great height. 



In allusion to its insect-eating propensities, the colonists of the Cape of Good Hope, 

 where the Bee-eater is found in plenty, call it by the name of " gnat-snapper," and the 

 Hottentots find it a very useful bird, as it often directs them to the spot where the wild 

 bees have made their nests. In Egypt it is called by a name which signifies " bees' 

 enemy." 



The Bee-eater is a gregarious bird, being generally seen in flocks that vary from ten 

 to forty or even fifty in number, and presenting a very handsome appearance as they wheel 

 round in the air, displaying the metallic effulgence of their beautiful plumage, and 

 occasionally perching upon the branches of a tree and resting awhile from their toil 

 While flying after insects the Bee-eater continually utters its curious cry, \v liich is a rich- 

 toned warbling chirrup. In many places where the Bee-eater is common, it is killed and 

 eaten by the natives, who are not deterred by any sesthetical prejudices from destroying 

 so lovely a bird for the sake of roasting, but estimate the creature in proportion to its 

 gastronomical value. It will be remembered that the equally beautiful roller meets with 

 a similar fate in the lands where it is most frequently found. 



The nest of the Bee-eater is not unlike that of the kingfisher, being placed at the 

 extremity of a burrow made in some convenient bank. The burrow is excavated by the 

 bird itself, and it often happens that the Bee-eaters are as gregarious in their nesting as in 

 their flight, honeycombing the clay banks in a manner very similar to that of the sand- 

 martin. The burrows do not run to any great depth, seldom exceeding six or eight inches 

 in length. The nest is composed of moss, and contains about five or six beautifully 

 white and pearly eggs. 



Of the habits of this bird, Mr. Thompson has given so graphic and elegant a 

 description in his work on the birds of Ireland, that his account must be subjoined 

 in his own words. 



" I have had the gratification of seeing the Bee-eater in scenes with which its brilliant 

 p^mage was more in harmony than with any in the British Isles. It first excited my 

 admiration in August, 1826, when visiting the celebrated grotto of Egeria, near Rome. 

 On approaching the classic spot, several of these birds, in rapid swift-like flight, swept 

 closely past and around us, uttering their peculiar call, and with their graceful form and 

 brilliant colours proved irresistibly attractive. My companion, who, as well as myself 

 beheld them for the first time, was so greatly struck with the beauty of their plumage 



