ZOOLOGY. 



81 



The Bee-Eaters, are mostly of gay plumage ; and with 

 the exception of one (M. Apiaster^) natives of the warmer 

 parts of Asia, Africa, and America ; they are most com- 

 monly found in open campaign countries, frequently resort- 

 ing to plantations ; they are gregarious ; easy of approach, 

 and not at all shy ; their name is acquired by their propen- 

 sity to devour bees and wasps ; they feed on most kinds of 

 winged insects, as also grubs and worms, and in default of 

 these, on grain. The European species (M. Aipaster^ the 

 Common Bee-Eater,^ has occasionally been met with in 

 this country, in small flocks ; they are migratory, quitting 

 the hotter parts of Europe in the spring, and retiring to the 

 more temperate regions ; till autumn ; see British Orniiho^ 

 logy^ vol. 3. 



30. Upupa. Hoopoe. Bill long, slender, curving down» 

 wards at the tip ; nostrils small ; tongue small, obtuse, 

 triangular, entire ; the middle toe connected to the 

 outer one, as far as the first joint ; /eef formed for 

 walking. 



Some of this genus vie with the Paradise Birds in splen- 

 dour, of colouring, and far surpass them in elegance of 

 form, they are mostly natives of the hotter parts of Asia^ 

 Africa and America, they are generally insectivorous ; and 

 inhabit woody situations ; they are all extremely shy ; but 

 one species is European, ( U. Epops,) this is sometimes met 

 with in England ; but is not a constant visitor. (See British 

 Ornithology^ vol. 1. 



31., Promerops, Bill^ tongue^ and nostrils^ as in the pre- 



G 



