486 PASSERINES. 



build its nest, and the sea remained perfectl_y calm. To its dead 

 "body the attributes of turning aside thunder-bolts, of giving beauty, 

 peace and plenty, and other absurdities were ascribed. Even now, 

 in some remote provinces of France, the dead birds are invested 

 with the power of preserving woollen stuff's from the attack of the 

 moth; hence they are called Moth Birds by drapers and shop- 

 keepers. They are inhabitants of almost every region of the 

 globe, and comprehend a great number of species, spread over 

 Asia, Africa, and America.* Europe possesses one species not 

 larger than a Sparrow, and which is remarkable for the rich 

 colouring of its feathers. What, indeed, can surpass the bril- 

 liancy of the King-fisher as it suddenly darts along some mur- 

 murino- brook, tracins' a thread of azure and emerald ? Some 

 authors separate the King-fishers, properly so called, or river- 

 side birds, from the Bee-eaters and other Fissirostral birds, which, 

 while they resemble each other in manj' physical characteristics, 

 diSer essentially in their habits ; in short, while the one haunts 

 the river, feeds upon its inhabitants, and nests upon its margin, 

 the other keeps to the woods and forests, feeds upon insects, and 

 builds in holes in trees. 



The Ceyx Meninting of Lesson (Alcedo Biru of Ilorsfield) very 

 closely resembles the King-fisher of Europe in its habits ; it darts 

 in short, rapid flight along the surface of lakes and rivulets, emit- 

 ting shrill, discordant sounds ; it perches on trees on the river 

 banks, and feeds on small fishes and aquatic insects. The tarsus is 

 smooth, the inner toe sujjpressed ; in other respects its habits 

 are those of the King-fisher. 



The Bee-eatees {Meropldce) have the beak long, thin, slightly 

 curved, and pointed, the mandible ha\dng a trenchant edge ; the 

 tarsi short ; the wings long and pointed ; the tail well developed, 

 tapering, or forked. They are slender, liglit, and clamorous ; 

 their cries are incessant, while they skim through the air on 

 rapid wing with well-sustained flight. Their name of Bee-eaters 

 they take from their principal food, which consists of various 

 llymenoptera, especially bees and wasps. The}' seize their prey 

 cither on the wing, like the Swallows, or they hide themselves at 



* In China a gri'at mimlier of spoc-ies arc to be found, all robed in the most 

 brilhunt plumage, uiuo of whieh ^\•o liave collected. — Ed. 



