From The Wiltshire Independent, issue dated Thursday 2nd August 1866:
The Bee-eater in Wiltshire. – Mr. A.V. Astley, of Eastleigh Lodge, Warminster, writing in the Field says: There has lately been shot in this parish – viz Bishopstrow, a bird I’d known as the bee-eater. It was shot by its present possessor whilst in the act attacking beehive, and was seen to eat a dozen more bees before it was shot. I have seen the bird stuffed. Is not this bird very rarely seen in England?