34 
MEHOPIDJE. 
“ This species of Swallow is the only one with which I am 
acquainted, that is not migratory, being found in this locality, 
(Mossgiel New South Wales) and to the same extent as regards 
numbers all the year round. It is widely distributed throughout 
the timbered or “ back ” country, but is never found on the plains, 
and is generally seen in small Hocks of five or six in number. It 
breeds here during the month of October, in holes in the sides of 
the entrances to the burrows of either the Bettongia, or Peragahs 
whether inhabited by these animals or not. I have never yet 
found more than four eggs in a nest.” 
A set of three taken by Mr. Bennett on October 19th, 1885, at 
Mossgiel, are pure white, and measures as follows : — (A) 0‘64 x 
0'4N inch; (B) 0‘63 x CMS inch ; (C) 0'64 x CM7 inch. 
Specimens in my possession taken by Mr. Gardner in South 
Australia, give the same measurements. 
Hah. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia, 
West and South-West Australia. (Ramsay.) 
Family MEROPIDiE. 
Genus MEROPS, Linnceus. 
MEROPS ORNATUS, Latham. 
Australian Bee-eater. 
Gould , ffandbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 58, p. 117. 
This bird is universally dispersed throughout the whole of 
Australia and tunnels a narrow hole in the sandy bank of a river 
or creek at the extremity of which it lays its eggs, five in number. 
Eggo, beautiful pearly-white ; a set taken at Buldery, measures as 
follows: — (A) 087 x 072 inch ; (B) 085 x 070 inch j (C) 0*85 
x 0'73 inch ; (D) 085 x 072 inch ; (E) 0’84 x 0 - 73 inch. 
