From J. Kirke Nashe (1935) The Birds of Midlothian, pp. 112-115.
... There are several records of the Bee-eater in Scotland, one bird having been shot as far north as Caithness, but the occurrence of a pair of Bee-eaters in Midlothian during the early days of June 1920 forms one of the most unique records in British ornithology. The birds were first observed by Mr David Hamilton on the 3rd of the month, as they perched on a wire fence surmounting a small sandbank, on a picturesque stretch of the River Esk, near Musselburgh. The weather was dull at the time, with a misty atmosphere which somewhat hindered clear observation, but the peculiar form of the birds, with their green breasts and chestnut backs, was sufficiently evident to assure the observer that he had two rather unusual strangers before him. He did not remain long in doubt, however, as one of them suddenly flew almost to the spot where he stood beneath some willows, and captured a large bee within a few yards of him. The insect was somewhat above the bird, which rose almost perpendicularly to seize it, and in doing so its tail, with the characteristic elongated central feathers, was spread out like a fan, the various colour patches also being clearly exhibited.
Pressure of time prevented further observation on that day; but, on being informed of their presence, I visited the spot early the next morning and had the great pleasure of seeing both birds perched on the fence, as when first observed. A raw east wind was blowing, and as they faced it, and incidentally the spectator, they gave one the impression of sitting very close down, so that, when viewed from the opposite bank of the river, where a much-frequented footpath ran, they presented a very small front to the onlooker. This peculiar attitude, we feel sure, saved the situation on many occasions. Possibly the east wind, which prevailed here nearly all the month of June, caused the birds to assume it.
On looking at a coloured plate of this species, one would naturally conclude that its brilliant colours would bring it conspicuously before the notice of the most casual observer; but our experience proved that, so long as the birds remained in the position described, they attracted little attention, as the green breast harmonized so complete1y with the surrounding herbage, whereas the dark forms of the numerous Starlings, searching for food on a meadow in the background, stood out in clear relief.
Viewed through glasses, the birds were a perfect revelation. The chestnut head and upper back, merging into tawny yellow or primrose on the lower back; the white frontal patch; the black band passing across the eye to the ear-coverts; the orange-yellow throat divided by the crescentic black line from the bluish green or greenish blue under parts in certain lights the green distinctly predominated and the dark green tail with the elongated central feathers a feature seen in no other land bird on the British list all attracted our attention. Every now and then the birds made short flights in pursuit of some insect, returning each time to the fence after the manner of a Flycatcher. Twice, on the first occasion I saw them, I noticed each bird with a large bee in its possession. After repeatedly knocking it on the fence, and moving it about in its bill, it suddenly swallowed the insect whole. During the succeeding days we frequently saw this act performed.
At intervals the birds rnounted high into the air, making rapid circling flights with an airy undulating motion, soaring at times and exhibiting a grace of action seldom seen in any of our native birds. Frequently, as they rose into the air, the beautiful tail assumed the fan shape.
Keeping them under observation for several hours daily, we have no hesitation in saying that the Bee-eaters intended nesting, as we independently discovered on the 7th that they were frequenting a special hole in the sandbank; and within three hours, one afternoon, in bright sunshine, I counted fifteen visits, most of them being paid by the hen-bird, which on some occasions remained within for about ten minutes. At times both birds were in together. Although we did not see the birds begin to excavate the shaft, we have little doubt they made it, as we could see a small pile of dry sand beneath it. Even the attitude of the birds, as they sat together on the fence, indicated a domestic interest, and on one occasion Mr Hamilton saw the male bird present his mate with a large bee. We were further confirmed in our belief by the fact that, from the time we observed them at the hole referred to, they never approached any other of the numerous holes in the bank.
They displayed great excitement as they neared it, giving utterance to their peculiar liquid notes, which are described as sounding like 'guilp' a poor representation in our opinion, as a liquid 'r' undoubtedly enters into its composition. The sound somehow reminded one of a clucking note of the Blackbird (T. merula) blended with a certain trill of the Ringed Plover (Ch. hiaticula). Before alighting, they hovered with fluttering outspread wings, and, with so many passers-by, at these moments we experienced considerable anxiety, as this action made them very conspicuous, their backs shining in the bright sunshine like burnished gold, although when they actually settled the effect was quite reversed, as the colour of their backs blended beautifully with the sand. Also, when the birds left the hole, they were difficult to detect, as they shot out like an arrow high into the air. Watching the proceedings of the birds, day by day, we realized that we were the privileged observers of a great ornithological event, as this was the first occasion, so far as we knew, on which these rare visitors would almost assuredly nest in the British Isles.
To obtain even a glimpse of a Bee-eater in this country would be an event forming a red-letter day in the life of any British ornithologist, but to see a pair of these birds, for hours daily, making long flights, or perching within fifty yards of where we stood, and every now and then darting after their insect prey, or paying visits to the apparent nesting-site, was a pleasure which we feel sure the most ambitious ornithologist could never have hoped to enjoy.
All appeared to go well until the 12th of the month, when the male bird alone was in evidence, and we somehow got the impression that it was more wary. Had the female actually begun to incubate the eggs was the thought that came to us. The 18th passed without our paying a visit; and on the following day we saw only the male for a short interval. Visiting the spot early on the 15th, we found it perched on the now familiar site, but it made off when we attempted to make a near approach, and we little thought at the moment that this would form our last view of these beautiful birds. Later in the day we heard the sad news that the female had been captured on the 18th by a local gardener.
It was put into a greenhouse, supplied with breadcrumbs, and died, we understand, within two days, though before doing so it laid an egg which, unfortunately, was broken and lost.
The sad climax of this little drama in bird life was reached in the course of another few days through the unfortunate survivor being caught and entirely destroyed by a cat near the spot where the hen-bird came to its untimely end.