MEROPS APIASTER. 



(The Bee-eater.) 



Mr.Tristram (in his 'Catalogue,' 1857,)says, "Merops apiaster breeds socially 

 in the banks of the desert ' wadys,' where the soil is not too hard. It 

 pierces a very narrow hole horizontally for a yard or more, frequently with 

 most sudden turnings, and then forms a most spacious chamber, and often a 

 second, each about a foot in diameter, where it deposits from four to seven 

 eggs. It is looked upon by the Algerians as the favourite harbinger of 

 summer." 



The 'Times' correspondent states, Aug. 28, 1854 : — " Near Varna, on 

 the Black Sea, a thin flickering cloud was observed advancing from the sea ; 

 presently over our heads, at the distance of a few yards, passed millions of 

 locusts ; as far as the eye could reach they spread over the country. After 

 going by in sheets for a quarter of an hour, they became less dense ; at last 

 the rear-guard of tired stragglers came, many of whom settled upon the grass. 

 A whole flight of Bee-eaters, Locust-eaters, &c. followed. They in their turn 

 were pursued by Hawks, Kites, Falcons, &c." 



HIRUNDO RUSTICA. 



(The SwaUow.) 



What is there about the Swallow which has caused it to be connected with 

 two such events as the Deluge and the Crucifixion by the Assyrians and the 

 Scandinavians respectively ? Mr. Smith translates from the ' Izdubar 



