66 OnNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. 



this subject I beg to make the following remarks: — It is not my intention 

 to write the history of this interesting and singular bird, but simply to confine 

 myself to its nest. That this bird does not construct a nest of disgorged 

 fish bones, we had long ago proved to our satisfaction, but lays its eggs 

 (from five to seven in number,) on the bare soil of the hole excavated by 

 itself, (for which purpose, nature has provided it with the most efficient 

 tool,) which it prefers to that constructed by any other animal; and will breed 

 and rear its young in the same hole for years, like Rooks in a Rookery, if 

 not too much molested. 



The female, while engaged in the operation of incubation, is regularly fed 

 by the male with fish. The bones, and other indigestible matter is ejected 

 in pellets, after the manner of the Owl. These bones, disgorged by the male 

 and female around them, while feeding their young, and other matters, by 

 accumulation, become one solid mass, forming a sort of nest, in which the 

 eggs are, the following season, laid; in which case we have frequently found 

 them; and if we had not been convinced to the contrary, from personal 

 observations, we should have been led to have believed otherwise. But we assert, 

 without fear of contradiction, that this bird constructs the hole itself in pre- 

 ference to taking possession of any other, never forms a nest of disgorged fish 

 bones, or anything else; but the first year of occupation, lays its eggs on the 

 bare ground; and the second and following years, it levels this accumulation 

 of matter, and lays its eggs on the same, which has given rise to a popular 

 belief, and produced many conflicting opinions, that it first disgorges the said 

 fish bones, and then lays its eggs upon them. We have frequently watched 

 the Kingfisher for days in excavating its habitation in the most secluded nooks 

 and sheltered spots of rivers — its mate, its only companion; and we have found 

 them near the habitation of man, rear their young in the greatest confidence. 



Charminsier, Dorset , March \(Sth., I80I. 



taitjinlngirnl J0ntp5. 



BY THE KEV. R. P. ALINGTON. 



Common Buzzard, (Buteo vulgaris.) — The Common Buzzard is easily domesti- 

 cated, and soon becomes an amusing, though sometimes rather a dangerous 

 companion. Yarrell relates a very remarkable anecdote of one, in his '^British 

 Birds," vol. i. page 78, sitting upon two eggs, and rearing the young of the 

 common . barn-door fowl, (vide vignette, page 80.) I, some years ago, had 

 one confined in the same cage with a Merlin. The lesser Hawk had greatly 

 the advantage of his more sluggish companion; he invariably took possession 

 of the higher perch; (perhaps instinct, as the sequel proved, whispered that 

 it was the safest place,) from hence, he could dash down, and generally be 

 the first to secure the food. This was the cause of much jealousy; and one 

 luckless day, the wary little Merlin was found dead, with his head split 



