59 



that they build their nests in holes on the banks of 

 rivers in the same manner as the King-fisher, to which 

 they seem much allied. 



The European Bee- Eater (Merops Apiaster), is a 

 native of many of the warmer parts of Europe, but 

 is rarely seen in the British dominions. It is extremely 

 common in Greece, and the islands of the Archipe- 

 lago; and in Crete is most plentiful. It is in this 

 latter island that the curious mode of bird-catching, 

 described by Bellonius, is said to be frequently prac- 

 tised with success, viz. a cicada is fastened on a bent 

 pin, or a fish-hook, and tied to a long line. The in- 

 .sect, when thrown from the hand, ascends into the 

 air, and flies with rapidity ; the Merops, ever on the 

 watch, seeing the cicada, springs at it, and swallowing 

 the bait, is thus taken by the Cretan boys. 



CREEPERS (CERTHIA). 



These birds bear a strong resemblance to the Hum- 

 ming-Bird as to size and the varied tints of glossy 

 colouring, but the legs are always longer, and the bill 

 in general more bent and sharper at the point. They 

 are likewise dispersed over every part of the world, 

 while the Humming Birds are confined to America. 



Their food is insects, which they find under the bark 

 of trees. The common Creeper (Certhia Famili- 



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