B E E - E A T E R. 6% 



than thofe already mentioned. It takes the name of Bee-eater 

 from its being very fond of thofe infects; but, befides thefe, will 

 catch gnats, flies, cicada*, and other infects, on the wing, like the 

 Swallow. It is faid to be moft plenty in the IJle of Candia; and 

 in defect of infects, to eat feeds of many kinds ; and Ray f fup- 

 pofes, from its fimilarity to the Kingsfifher, it may poffibly feed 

 on fijh. Moft probably fome think it good to eat, as Willughby 

 faw many of them expofed for fale in the markets of Rome. 

 Thefe birds make their nefts in deep holes in the banks of rivers, 

 like the Sand Martin and Kingsfijher, at the end of which the fe- 

 male lays from five to feven white eggs, rather lefs than thofe of a 

 Blackbird. The neft itfelf is compofed of mofs %. 



* Willughby tells us, from Belon, " that its Angular elegancy invites the 

 Candy boys to hunt for it with cicada, as they ctb for thofe greater Swallows, 

 called Swifts, after this manner : — bending a pin like a hook, and tying it by the 

 head to the end of a thread, they thruft it through a cicada, (as boys bait a hook 

 with a fly) holding the other end of the thread in their hands ; the cicada, fo 

 fattened, flies neverthelefs in the air, which the Merops fpying, flies after it with 

 all her force ; and catching it, fivallows pin and all, wherewith fhe is caught." 

 Will. orn. p. 148. 



+ Syn. a<v. p. 49. 



J Kramer el. p. 337. who fays, that it feeds chiefly onfiies and gnats. 



Meropi 



