Birds of Gazaland, Southern Rhodesia. 283 
the rivers. The birds were very bold, readily permitting a 
near approach as they sat upright, uttering their harsh cries, 
on the topmost twigs of the trees ; they preferred projecting 
dead branches, whence they could see and pounce upou 
passing insects without hindrance from the foliage. A 
female which I shot on the Chinyika in the same month 
contained an egg which would shortly have been laid ; and, 
also in November, a pair nested in a hole in the overhanging 
bough, unfortunately quite inaccessible, of a large tree on 
the outskirts of Chirinda. They brought off two young in 
safety, and remained about the spot for some weeks after 
these could fly, the four birds promptly attacking and 
chasing, for some three or four hundred yards—all the 
while dashing down on it from above with loud cries—every 
Hawk, Eagle, and Raven which ventured near the spot. 
Like Coracias caudatus, this bird is said by the natives to kill 
and eat small birds, and it is limed by them in the same 
way, with a striped mouse as a bait. 
103. Merops apraster. European Bee-eater. 
These birds are extremely plentiful during the summer 
months, especially in the Jihu type of country, where, in 
particular, they by no means restrict themselves to the 
neighbourhood of water, flocks, and even single individuals, 
being commonly found circling about and settling on trees 
and bushes some miles from the nearest good-sized stream. 
They are frequently to be seen flying swiftly at a great 
height in large flocks, uttering in unison a pleasant bell- 
like note. In 1899 they arrived in December, and I should 
say that the usual date is early in that month: they are 
always abundant during its latter half. They are said by the 
natives to call especially before rain. 
104. MetirropHacus meripionatrs. Little Bee-eater. 
Fairly plentiful in grass-jungle, where, like the preceding 
species, it may commonly be found at considerable distances 
from water; though elsewhere along the banks of rivers. 
I found a number of these birds settling on the reeds of the 
Lower Zona in December, and secured a female, in immature 
