BEE-EATER . — Merojps apiaster. 
The Bee-Eater is a very handsome bird, its feathers being tinted with bine, 
gr^en, chestnut, and black. It derives its name from its habit of eating bees and 
other insects, being able to swallow them without damage from their stings. 
Taking advantage of its insect-eating propensities, the boys of the Greek 
Archipelago, where the Bee-eater is very common, are in the habit of capturing 
it by means of a hook and line, in a kind of aerial angling, in which the atmo- 
spheie takes the place of water, and the victim is hauled struggling downwards, 
instead of being drawn struggling upwards. A hook is attached to the end of a 
strong but slender line, and fastened to a cicada or other insect, in such a manner 
as to cause no impediment to its flight, and the cicada is then allowed to fly 
about at will. The Bee-eater soon perceives its fluttering prey, and darting upon 
it with open beak, is caught by the hook and made prisoner. 
While engaged in the pursuit of its prey, the Bee-eater flies at various heights, 
according to the weather and the species of insect which it is engaged in eating. 
Sometimes it may be seen careering high in air at so great an elevation that its 
beautiful colours cannot be distinguished, but attracting great admiration on 
account of its great command of wing and easy gliding movements. At another 
time it sweeps over the very surface of the ground, snapping up the bees, wasps, 
and other insects that are not in the habit of ascending to any great height. 
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