254 
MEROPIDiE. 
INSESSORES. 
FISSIROSTRES. 
MEROP/DjE. 
BEE-EATER. 
Merops apiaster. 
PLATE LXIV. FIG. II. 
The Bee-eater is, like the last described species, an 
occasional, and but a rare visitor of this country. It 
breeds in various parts of the Continent, making its 
nest in the sandy banks of rivers, in manner much 
like the kingfisher, and lays from five to seven eggs. 
Montagu says that Bee-eaters abound in the south 
of Russia, especially by the rivers Don and Wolga, 
in the banks of which they build their nests, perfo¬ 
rating holes to the depth of half a foot, or more, for 
that purpose. 
The egg from which the accompanying drawing is 
taken is in the collection of Mr. Yarrell, and was given 
him by Baron Laugier, who told him that it was taken 
out of a hole perforated four feet deep in the bank of 
a river. 
