250 THE SMALLER BTdTISH BIRDS. 



until it is dead, then, tossing up Lis Lead, swallows it, and resumes 

 Lis ordinary posture, as if notLing had Lappened." 



TLe deserted Lole of a water-rat generally forms the nestling place 

 of the Kingfisher. TLe Lole is said to be frequently enlarged or 

 altered by tLe nevv tenant to suit its convenience. Some authors assert 

 tLat tLe bird often excavates the tunnel itself, loosening the earth or 

 sand with its bill, and jjushing it out backwards with its feet. Although 

 no person appears to have witnessed the operation with our British 

 Kingfisher, it is stated as an observed fact by Audubon that the 

 American species thus digs its own nest chamber. The direction of 

 the excavation is always upwards in a nearly straight line, and it 

 penetrates three or four feet into the bank. The further end is scooped 

 into a slight hollow, in which are deposited a number of small fish 

 bones mixed with eartL. Upon tLis Lard bed are laid six or seven 

 smootL and nearly round eggs. TLeir shells are pure white, but so 

 transparent as to take a delicate pink tinge from the colour of the 

 yolk. The food of the young birds is disgorged from the stomachs of 

 their parents. The young do not leave the nest until fully fledged 

 and able to fly. 



The Kingfisher has a direct and rapid flight; its short wings beating 

 the air so quickly as to be almost invisible. Its note is a shrill pipe, 

 similar to that of the Sandpiper. 



In ancient times this bird was called the Halcyon, and it was believed 

 that while the female was hatching her oggs she had the power of 

 keeping the water calm and unruSled. This power was supposed to 

 be exerted not only upon all rivers and streams, but extended even to 

 the ocean. The period of incubation was therefore called the Halcyon 

 Days, and was considered the safest part of the year for mariners to 

 put to sea, as they were then secure from storms and tempests. 



Shakespeare, in King Lear, speaks of rogues, who 



"Turn their Halcyon beaks 

 With every gale and vary of their masters." 



This has reference to a sujDerstition that a dead Kingfisher, if carefully 

 balanced and suspended by a single thread, would always turn its beak 

 to that point of the compass from which the wind blew. 



The adult male of this handsome species has the top of the head 

 deep olive green, with each featLer tipped with light blue. The upper 

 part of the back dark green, and the lower light greenisL blue. A 

 band of yellowish red extends from the nostril to the eye, and a similar 

 baud runs from the eye backwards. Below these bands, and extending 



