THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
(Vol. IV., p. 45, 1904): “Following on my previous notes the first 
Bee-eaters to arrive in the spring of 1902 showed up on the 28th August. 
The succeeding winter (1903) they never left the district, a most unusual 
proceeding, more particularly as we had some pretty cold weather in June, 
with sufficient frost to kill the ‘ pigweed.’ Up to the end of that month 
Merops were plentiful, but during July their numbers were greatly reduced, 
though still there were a fair number that were ‘ cracking hardy,’ but the 
early part of August found us with only a few individuals. From this out 
they gradually increased again, and the summer of 1903-4 found them as 
plentiful as ever. On two occasions I watched the capture of specimens of 
the largest dragon flies ; they were swallowed whole, wings and all, after a few 
blows on a dead Hmb to break their bones. They stayed a bit late last autumn, 
but were all gone early in June. Their migrations appear to be made in day- 
light, as between the 16th and 27th March this year I saw four flocks, consist- 
ing of 28, 50, 28, and 100 in number, pass overhead, fairly high up, their 
pipe attracting my attention. They were not hawking for insects, or sun- 
ning themselves, but attending strictly to business, keeping a straight hne 
and going north-west. They were at the time crossing open, treeless 
downs, where as a rule they are never seen. In some data kindly forwarded 
me by Mr. Smedley it is curious to note that though the Bee-eaters 
remained here through the winter of 1903 they were quite absent at 
Homestead that year from May to 29th August.” 
F. Whitlock noted {EmUy Vol. VIII., p. 188, 1909) : “ Very common 
and I think resident, both on the Coongan and de Grey.” 
From Kimberley, North-west Australia, G. F. Hill recorded {Emu, Vol. 
X., p. 271, 1911) the following important items : “ Birds were seen at 
frequent intervals during the ten months I spent in the district, but they 
rarely stayed more than a few days. It was almost impossible to follow 
their erratic movements through the timbered country with sufficient 
accuracy to determine their course. However, the following notes were 
recorded when favourable opportunities for observation occurred : — Small 
flocks arrived at Mission Station from the north on 18th and 22nd 
March. Small flocks passed over station on 27th April and 17th May, 
flying east. Numerous on Hecla Island 13th February ; flew in south- 
easterly direction on leaving the island.” 
Macgillivray’s records in the Emu (Vol. XIII., p. 161, 1914) are also 
valuable : “ Mr. M‘Lennan’s notes on the movements of this bird are 
interesting when taken in connection with mine at Broken Hill. He writes 
(13th February, 1910): ‘At Sedan, a large flock of Bee-eaters passed over 
the camp at dusk, going north.’ My note on 24th January, 1910, at Broken 
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