r 
BEE-EATER. 
“ Bee-eaters have been observed passing to and from New Guinea during 
migration. How can it be possible, then, that there are two races of these 
birds in Austraha, as Mathews infers ? ” 
This inquiry suggests that the idea of migration is not at all under- 
stood by the writers. It may be that other Austrahan workers are 
also weak in this subject, so that I take a httle notice of this question. 
Tlie student who has studied my notes will know that there can be 
subspecies even among migrant birds. I do not propose to introduce 
examples from Palsearctic forms but will simply deal with the present 
species. The Bee-eater is aclmowledged to be a migrant, and it is also 
accepted on undeniable authority that it passes from Queensland to New 
Guinea. Further than that we have no proof. It is now known that many 
winter in Eastern Australia, wliile apparently Campbell and Barnard were 
unaware that it is resident in West Austraha. Its movements are apparently 
north and south, and while on the east the northern birds pass into 
New Guinea, on the western they may not leave the continent. Thus, 
MacgiUivray cites their wintering on the Leichardt : these may be 
southern birds, as local movements are common in partly migratory species. 
Therefore it is not only possible, but it is quite normal, for there to be 
races of such species. As a matter of fact, the western race of Bee- 
eater is quite a distinct form, while it is possible that were series collected 
systematically more than one race could be separated. 
Since the preceding was written, Macgilhvray and MacLennan have told 
me that two migratory routes occur in North Queensland, the birds from Lloyd’s 
Bay going direct to New Guinea without passing through Cape York. This 
indicates two series in Queensland alone arriving from different sources 
wliicli probably never meet. The large series of this species in the British 
Museum show many colour variations, but unfortunately there are rarely 
long series from definite locahties. In a well-known pecuhar genus little 
interest is taken by the collector or his principal, as “ preconceived ideas ” 
dismiss the difierentiation of subspecies. Consequently an odd bird is 
procured and the species recognised and this is considered sufficient. 
When good material becomes available many subspecies will be recognised, 
as I can see differences among the extra-limi tal birds, but until the 
migration routes are known it would be unwise to distinguish many 
races. However, the West Austrahan form is so well marked that the 
specimens stand out in the boxes quite apart from all birds from other 
locahties; while, on the other hand, a very dark form appears at the eastern- 
most hmit of its range. 
I have included in my synonymy as questionably referable to the 
VOL. vn. 
217 
