142 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



about l-5o by l-2o in. Indistinguishable from the 

 eggs of the Hobby, and a sight of parent bird 

 only can settle identity. 



Time. — April and May. 



Bemai-ls. — Migratory, although a few specimens 

 remain through the winter in Southern England. 

 Note, a chattering kind of scream. Local and 

 other names : Windhover, Staengall, Stannel Hawk, 

 Stannel Hoverhawk, Stonegall, Creshawdv, Standgale. 

 A pretty close sitter. 



KINGFISHER. 



Descriptiu)! of Parent Birth. — Length about 

 seven inches. Bill long, strong, straight, and black, 

 except at the base of the under mandible, where it 

 is orange. Lides hazel. Crown, nape, back, wings, 

 rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail dark, greenish-blue ; 

 the head and neck are barred with brilliant azure 

 blue. The wing-coverts are spotted wath the sanie 

 colour, wdiich is prominent on the middle of the 

 back, rump, and upper tail-coverts. Wing-quills 

 dull greenish-black, greenish-blue on the outer 

 webs, and reddish-brown on the outside edges of 

 the inner, except at the tips, which are dull black. 

 From the base of the upper mandible to the eye, 

 and thence to the ear-coverts, chestnut. Chin and 

 throat dii'ty white, slightly tinged with rust colour. 

 Breast, belly, sides, vent, and under tail-coverts, 

 beautiful chestnut ; duller on the last two mentioned 

 parts. Legs and toes pink ; claws, brownish-black. 



The female has a shorter beak, and is slightly 

 duller in her plumage. 



Situation and LocaHty. — A hole in river or other 

 bank, generally well hidden by some overhanging 



