THE BELTED KINGFISHER. 



457 



actual propcsal, where bc:)tli vociferate in wooden concert to a distracted 

 world. But la ! love is mighty and dotii mightily prevail. 



The nesting tunnel is driven laterally into the face of a steep bank, 

 preferably of sand or loam, usually directly over the water, but occasion- 

 ally at a considerable distance from it. Dr. Brewer reports one in a 

 gravel pit at least a mile from water. The birds are not so particular 

 as are the Bank Swallows about digging near the top of the bank, but, 

 especially if the bank is small, usually 

 select a point about midwa_\\ The 

 tunnel goes straight in or turns sharp- 

 ly to suit an occasional whim, until a 

 convenient depth, say five or si.K feet, 

 is reached, when a considerable en- 

 largement is made for the nest cham- 

 ber. Here, early in May, six or seven 

 white eggs are laid, usually upon the 

 bare earth, but sometimes upon a lin- 

 ing of grass, straw and trash. From 

 time to time the birds eject pellets 

 containing fish scales, the broken 

 testcT of crawfish and other indi- 

 gestible substances and these are 

 added to the accumulating nest ma- 

 terial. Sanitarv regulations are not 

 very strict in Kingfisher's home, and 

 by the time the young are ready to 

 flv we could not blame them for be- 

 ing glad to get away. The female is 

 a proverbially close sitter, often per- 

 mitting herself to be taken with the 

 hand, but not until after she has 

 made a vigorous defense with her 

 sharp beak. If a stick be introduced 

 into the nest she will sometimes 

 seize it .so tightly that she can be lifted from the eggs, turtle fashion. 



The parents are \ery busy birds after the \oung have broken shell, 

 and it takes many a quintal of fish to prepare si.x, or maybe seven, lusty 

 fisher princes for the battle of life. At this season the birds hunt and 

 wait upon their young principally at night, in order not to attract hostile 

 attention to them liy da\iight \'isits. Only one brood is raised in a 

 season, and since fishing is unquestionably a fine art, the youngsters 

 require constant supervision and instruction for several months. A troop 



EVENIN'G ox THE PE.\D D' OREILLE. 



