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Two breeding pairs of European bee-eaters (Merops apiaster), each accompanied by a single male helper, were observed during the breeding seasons of 1996 and 1997, respectively. Two new forms of helping behaviour were found in this species: incubation and brooding. Both helpers participated in incubation, but the patterns of this form of help, characterised by low daily activity and little effect on the time budgets of the parents, suggest that incubation by helpers may be of limited value. However, both helpers shared about a quarter of the total time spent on brooding chicks. Moreover, a division of labour between helpers and breeders seemed to occur during this period. The most marked difference in effort by helpers appeared during chick feeding. While one of the helpers completely replaced the role of an absent pair female, the second helper deserted the breeding pair shortly after chick feeding had begun and instead helped at an adjacent nest. The patterns of helping behaviour, as well as some possible suggestions for pair switching in helpers, are discussed.