Class II. BEE EATER. 541 



Lorraine, and other northern districts. They are 

 most abundant in the southern parts of Russia, 

 particularly about the rivers Don and Volga, 

 in the banks of which they build their nests, 

 perforating holes to the depth of half a foot for 

 that purpose, and in such numbers, that the 

 clayey banks appear like a honeycomb. The 

 nest is composed of moss, in which they depo- 

 sit six or seven eggs, perfectly white, and about 

 the size of those of a stare. At the approach 

 of winter they migrate to more southern lati- 

 tudes.*' Ed.] 



* Montagu Ornithological Dictionary, 



