BEE^EATEBS 
(Meropidtc) 
The bee-eaters are birds of handsome plumage and their 
graceful, almost swallow-Hke, forms may be seen in the air as 
the birds hawk for insect$, which comprise their prey^ in many 
parts of the Old World. They are especially numerous in 
Africa^ but four species are found in Malaysia. Three of these 
are open country birds (two are common in Singapore) but 
the other. Nyciiorjiis ami eta, is a forest specks and although 
common enoug-h in places like tbe Pahang jungles it is not 
found in Singapore. In Malaysia as elsewhere the bee-eaters 
food consists largely of bees and wasps^ and as may be ex- 
pected bee-eaters are reported to be very harmful in districts 
where bees are kept for profit. 
For the purpose of breeding most bee-eaters congregate 
into colonies in sandy river beds where the white eggs are laid 
at the end of tunnels which the birds dig in the banks much in 
the manner of sand-martins. 
In form they are slender birds with long, curved and 
pointed beaks, tiny feet and very efficient wings. 
