596 HALCYONS. 



tremity, however, is rounded like an oven, so as to allow 

 the individuals and their brood a sufficiency of room. 

 This important labor is indeed prospective, as the same 

 hole is employed for a nest and roost for many succeed- 

 ing years. Here, on a few twigs, grass, and feathers, 

 the eggs, about 6, and white, are deposited. Incubation, 

 in which both parents engage, continues for 16 days ; 

 and they exhibit great solicitude for the safety of their 

 brood. The mother, simulating lameness, sometimes 

 drops on the water, fluttering as if wounded and una- 

 ble to rise from the stream. The male also perched on 

 the nearest bough, or edge of the projecting bank, jerks 

 his tail, elevates his crest, and passing to and fro before 

 the intruder, raises his angry and vehement rattle of com- 

 plaint.* They are very«fenacious of their cell, and seldom 

 forsake it, however molested. But at the commencement 

 of winter, the frost oblio;es our humble Fisher to seek 

 more open streams, and even the vicinity of the sea ; but 

 he is seen to return to Pennsylvania by the commence- 

 ment of April. 



The length of this species is about 12 inches; alar extent 20. 

 Bill brownish-black, light greenish-blue at the base. Iris hazel. 

 Feet greyish-blue ; the claws black. Quills brownish-black, barred 

 with white at the base ; tail-feathers the same, but more barred with 

 white. — The blue of the female duller. 



* Audubon, Orn. Biog. i. p. 396. 



