THE BEE-EATER. 7 



families of tropical birds, such as the Motmots, 

 Todies, Frog-mouths, etc. They have a bridged 

 or " desmognathous " palate, and other anatomical 

 and osteological characters, which show their 

 affinity to the above-mentioned families. In the 

 front of the breast-bone, however, there is a 

 distinct perforation, allowing the feet of the 

 coracoid bones to meet through it. This is a 

 character only found in the Hoopoes {Upupide) and 

 Hornbills (Bucerotidce), and the Game-birds 

 (GallincE). 



Like the bulk of Picarian birds, the Bee-eaters 

 lay glossy, white eggs, which are concealed from 

 view. It is the constant habit of birds which lay 

 white eggs to observe this rule, the most striking 

 exception to which is afforded by the Pigeons, 

 which lay white eggs in an open nest. Thus we 

 find the white eggs of Passerine birds, such as 

 Martins, Tit-mice and Gold-crests, carefully con- 

 cealed from observation. The Bottle-Tit {^gi- 

 thalus vagans) builds a moss-nest, completely 

 domed in, the Gold-crests (Regulus regulus) sus- 

 pend their hammock-like nest under the friendly 

 shelter of a dark fir or yew tree ; while the 

 Martin builds a plaster-nest under an overhanging 



