34 MEBOPIC^. 



"This species of Swallow is the only one with which I am 

 acquainted, that is not migratory, being found in this locality, 

 (Mossgiel New South Wales) and to the same extent as regards 

 numbers all the year round. It is widely distributed throughout 

 the timbered or " back " country, but is never found on the plains, 

 and is generally seen in small flocks of five or six in number. It 

 breeds here during the month of October, in holes in the sides of 

 the entrances to the burrows of either the Bettongia, or Peragales 

 whether inhabited by these animals or not. I have never yet 

 found more than four eggs in a nest." 



A set of three taken by Mr. Bennett on October 19th, 1885, at 

 Mossgiel, are pure white, and measures as follows : — (A) 0"64 x 

 0-48 inch ; (B) 0-63 x 0-48 inch ; (C) 0-64 x 0-47 inch. 



Specimens in my possession taken by Mr. Gardner in South 

 Australia, give the same measurements. 



Hab. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia, 

 West and South- West Australia. (Ramsay.) 



Family MEROPID-ffil. 



Genus MEROPS, Linnceus. 



i MEROPS ORNATPS, Latham. 



Australian Bee-eater. 

 Gould, Handhk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 58, p. 117. 



This bird is universally dispersed throughout the whole of 

 Australia, and tunnels a narrow hole in the sandy bank of a river 

 or creek at the extremity of which it lays its eggs, five in number. 

 Eggs, beaunful pearly-white ; a set taken at Buldery, measures as 

 follows :— (A) 0-87 x 72 inch ; (B) 0-85 x 0-70 inch ; (0) 0-85 

 X 0-73 inch ; (D) 0-85 x 0-72 inch ; (E) 0-84 x 0-73 inch. 



