Britifh dominions. It is extremely common in 
Greece and the iflands of the Archipelago; and in 
Crete is more peculiarly plentiful. It is in this lat¬ 
ter ifland that the curious mode of bird-catching 
defcribed by Bellonius is faid to be frequently prac- 
tifed with fuccefs, viz. a cicada is faflened on a 
bent pin, or a fifh-hook, and tied to a long line. 
The infect when thrown from the hand, afcends 
into the air, and flies with rapidity; the Merops, 
ever on the watch for infects, feeing the cicada, 
fprings at it, and fwallowing the bait, is thus taken 
by the Cretan boys. The Bee-Eater builds in the 
banks of rivers, and forms its nelt of mofs. 
I 
