678 ALCEDO ISPIDA. 



The question as to its nestling in a water- rafs hole can be 

 decided only by actual observation. Its bill is certainly well 

 adapted for digging into earth or sand, but its feet one might 

 suppose would prove very inadequate instruments for scraping 

 out the debris along a tunnel of three or four feet. On the 

 other hand its hole is often at a greater height from the water 

 than we ever find that of the water-rat ; in the case of Mr 

 Weir''s above mentioned, it was twelve feet ; and all accounts 

 agree in describing it as straight and sloping upwards, whereas 

 the holes of water-rats are usually tortuous. It is possible 

 enough that sometimes the Kingfisher may take possession of 

 a water-rafs hole, or even that of a common rat or mole, and 

 enlarge it, as I have seen the Starling do in the islet of Copay 

 in Harris with rats' holes ; and that it may also dig a hole for 

 itself, like the Bank Swallow. At all events, we have certain 

 evidence that the American Kingfisher, Alcedo americanus 

 (A. Alcyon of Linnreus) digs its hole. Mr Audubon states that 

 " the male and female, after having fixed npon a proper spot, 

 are seen clinging to the bank of the stream in the manner of 

 Woodpeckers. Their long and stout bills are set to work, and 

 as soon as the hole has acquired a certain depth, one of the 

 birds enters it, and scratches out the sand, earth, or clay, with 

 its feet, striking meanwhile with its bill to extend the depth. 

 The other bird all the while appears to cheer the labourer, 

 and urge it to continue its exertions ; and, when the latter is 

 fatigued, takes its place. Thus, by the co-operation of both, 

 the hole is dug to the depth of four, five, or sometimes six 

 feet, in a horizontal direction, at times not more than eighteen 

 inches below the surface of the ground, at others eight or ten 

 feet." The eggs are five or six in number, broadly ovate, pure 

 white, eleven-twelfths of an inch in length, and nine-twelfths 

 in breadth. 



The flight of the Kingfisher is direct and rapid, performed 

 by quick beats of the wings, and very similar to that of the 

 Dipper, which it however excels in speed. The movements of 

 the wings are indeed so rapid that one can scarcely perceive 

 them, and the flight of this bird, the Dipper, Auks, and Guille- 

 mots, and other short-winged birds, might induce the closet- 



