144 
vailed in his own time in Italy, where the 
Cicada was the favorite bait. 
The flight of the Bee-eater is similar to 
that of the swallow, and the formation of 
its feet to those of the Kingfisher. Though 
frequenting many parts of Europe, Asia, 
and Africa, it has very seldom been taken 
in Britain. The following extract is taken 
from the minute book of the Linnsean 
Society. 
"July 2nd, 1794. The president com- 
municated an account of the Merops 
Apiaster, the Bee-eater, having been 
shot (for the first time in Great Britain) 
near Mattishall, in the county of Norfolk, 
by the Rev. Mr. George Smith. The 
identical specimen was exhibited, by per- 
mission of Mr. Thomas Talbot of Wy- 
mondham. A flight of about twenty was 
seen in J une, and the same flight probably 
(much diminished in numbers) was ob- 
served passing over the same spot in 
October following." 
Montagu observes that since the above 
period, he has been credibly informed that 
more than one specimen have been killed 
in England. 
