220 MEROPID^E. 



one that was shot in October 1832 in the Mull of Gallo- 

 way ; and Professor Nilsson mentions that a male and 

 female were killed in Sweden in 1816. Montagu says, 

 "It is nowhere so plentiful as in the southern parts of 

 Russia, particularly about the rivers Don and Wolga, in 

 the banks of which they build their nests, perforating holes 

 to the depth of half a foot or more for that purpose. They 

 are said to be gregarious, as well in the breeding season as 

 in their migrations, excavating the clayey banks so near to 

 each other as to appear like a honey-comb. In autumn 

 they migrate in large flocks to the more southern latitudes." 

 These birds line their nesting-holes with soft moss, and lay 

 from five to seven eggs, which are smooth, white, and 

 shining, measuring about one inch in length by ten lines 

 and a half in breadth. To follow the Bee-eater back to 

 Africa by a different route, I may mention that it visits the 

 the countries between the Black and the Caspian seas : the 

 Zoological Society have received specimens from Messrs 

 Dickson and Ross, two zealous collectors at Erzerum, who 

 state that these birds frequent that country from May till 

 September ; it is found also in Turkey, in Greece, and in 

 Egypt. The Bee-eater takes its food while on the wing, 

 like the Swallows, living chiefly on winged insects, and 

 probably derives its name from a partiality to those of the 

 Hymenopterous order. A traveller speaking of the habits 

 of the Bee-eater in Asia Minor, says,* " They utter a rich 

 warbling chirp when on the wing ; they are often observed 

 among the turpentine firs, from which 'bees collect much 

 honey, and are sometimes attracted to the valleys by the 

 numerous apiaries of the peasantry." Montagu says that 

 " In Egypt it is called Melinoorghi, bees' enemy, and 

 that the bird itself is eaten as food. At the Cape of Good 



* Annals of Nat. Hist. November, 1839. 



