BEE-EATER.— KINGFISHER. 171 



Carter, near Chichesterj in May 1829, and is mentioned by 

 Mr. Knox (0. R. p. 219). The second, which does not seem 

 to have been recorded in any journal, is thus mentioned in a 

 note to the ' Catalogue of British Birds,' sold at Godalmiug 

 in March 1890 : — " This rare bird was obtained from a person 

 who found it on the sea-shore between Arundel and Worthing 

 in 1833." The third was shot at Icklesham in A-ugust 1834, 

 but not recorded in the ' Zoologist ' till 1850 (p. 2953) . It 

 was mounted by Mr. Martin, of Hastings, and purchased by 

 Mr. EUman, from whom it passed into my collection. 



The Bee-eater frequents the South of Europe, and breeds, 

 often in large numbers together, in holes in banks, or sand- 

 hills, excavating them to the depth of three or four feet, 

 enlarging them into a chamber of about a foot in diameter, 

 and lays on the bare soil. The legs and wing-cases of the 

 insects on which it feeds, which are the castings of the 

 bird, accumulate in such quantities that a handful may be 

 taken up at once. It feeds on humble-bees, wasps, grass- 

 hoppers, and many kinds of beetles. Its flight resembles 

 that of the Swallow, and its note has been described as a 

 rich warbling chirp. (See Yarrell's ' British Birds,' vol. ii. 

 pp. 421-2.) 



ALOEDINID^. 



KINGFISHER. 



Alcedo ispida. 



Though rather local, the Kingfisher is found throughout the 

 county, following the courses of the streams and haunting 

 the large ponds of the forest and Weald, visiting as well the 



