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throughout North-east Africa on passage from the end of March to the beginning of May, and 
again from August to October, usually in flocks, but not so numerous as Merops persicus ; and 
he believes that it breeds in Central Egypt and Arabia Petrsea. Captain Shelley says that it 
arrives in Egypt about the 10th of April, and is then plentifully distributed, but is not quite so 
abundant as Merops persicus. The greater number do not remain to breed, but pass northwards 
in May, returning in August. In North-west Africa it is also common, and is recorded from 
Algeria and Morocco as abundant, arriving in the latter country, according to Mr. Tyrwhitt Drake, 
early in April. On the west coast it has been observed in most localities visited by collectors down 
to the Cape of Good Hope, where it is said to breed, and it also occurs on the Canaries and Madeira. 
Vernon Harcourt records it from the latter island; and, according to Dr. Bolle(J.f. 0. 1857, p. 324), 
it frequently visits Euerteventura in large flocks in winter, and is not unfrequently seen on 
Canaria. A considerable number are said to have bred on Arguineguin several years in suc- 
cession. I have examined specimens from many localities on the west coast of Africa; and 
Mr. Andersson writes (B. of Damara Land, p. 60) that it is “ common in Ondonga during the rainy 
season, when it is also not uncommon in Damara Land proper ; but I do not think that it is 
abundant in Great Namaqua Land. 
“ These Bee-eaters are observed during their annual migrations in small flocks ; but having 
arrived at their temporary destination they scatter somewhat over the country, though several 
may still be seen in close proximity. They seem to live chiefly on a species of red wasp, and 
sometimes seize their food on the wing like Swallows, though they more frequently watch for 
it from some elevated perch, whence they suddenly pounce upon any prey which may chance 
to come within their ken, returning invariably to the same spot whether successful or not. When 
their capture proves a bee or other stinging insect, it is always seized across the body, when the 
bird, after giving it a sharp squeeze or two between the mandibles of the bill, quickly swallows it. 
I have seen lizards pursue exactly the same plan when catching hymenopterous insects. 
“When on the wing, this Bee-eater utters a pleasant but rather subdued warbling 
chirp.” 
Respecting its occurrence in South Africa, Mr. Layard writes (of. Sharpe’s ed. of Layard’s B. 
of S. Africa, p. 96) : — “ The European Bee-eater, during its period of visitation, extends all over Cape 
Colony, and we have generally noticed its arrival about August in company with the Quail. All the 
instances which have been recorded with the actual dates of capture, show that it is only during 
the months when it is absent from Europe that it visits South Africa, and hence the fact of its 
breeding during its stay is of great interest. Victoria procured it in the Karroo in January ; 
Dr. Exton shot a specimen at Kanye, and on the 24th of October, 1873, Mr. T. E. Buckley shot 
two specimens near the river Meathley in Bamangwato. It does not seem to have occurred to 
Mr. Ayres in Natal, but Mr. Andersson states that it is ‘ very common in Ondonga during the 
rainy season, when it is also not uncommon in Damara Land proper ; ’ he considers it to be less 
abundant in Great Namaqua Land. Senor Anchieta has met with the species on the river 
Cunene, and also at Caconda in Benguela ; while the British Museum contains an example from 
the Congo, without, however, any indication of the collector. 
“ It hawks after flies, uttering its cheerful, chirruping cry, and alighting on the summit of 
the highest bush in the neighbourhood. It breeds in the neighbourhood of Nels Poort, Mr. 
Henry Jackson having found several nests in holes in banks. The eggs are pure white ; axis, 
12"' ; diam, 10'". We also found it breeding in great abundance at the Berg river in September 
and October. It does not always select a bank into which to bore the hole destined for its nest. 
