142 Dr. W. E. Collinge on the [Ibis, 



shown l)y the fact that whilst most of its favourite breeding 

 phices on the lower reaches of the Thames were occupied in 

 1917, the up[)er reaches weve deserted, though the birds 

 have reappeared in 1918. In Devon, Worcester, Cheshire, 

 and Cumberland considerable decreases were noted, and 

 some diminution in Kent, Surrey, and Middlesex, while no 

 change is reported from Radnor and Beds.^^ 



2. Nesting Habits. — Further observations on the nesting 

 habits of the Kingtisher are very desirable. All the nests I 

 have met with have been iu the banks of streams. I doubt 

 if they are always dug out by tlie birds, as on two or three 

 occasions I have found that the old burrows of the water- 

 vole have been utilized, and in another case tlie hole was 

 formed by part of the bank of the stream being washed 

 away beneath tlie root of a tree. 



In all the nests examined I have found an accumulation 

 of fish-bones and other indigestible portions of food, and 

 only these. 



While in many cases I have failed to observe any attempt 

 at arrangement of the different items, in others there is 

 undoubtedly a very definite nest formed, described by 

 Yarrell (10) as follows : — " The eggs are laid, sometimes on 

 the bare soil, but at others on the fish-bones already ejected 

 by the birds and allowed to accumulate until they amount to 

 a handful or more. These bones are cast up as pellets, but 

 are apijarently Avorked by the bird's movements, as she sits, 

 into the shape of a cup ; and, whether by pressure, by the 

 moisture of the soil, or by both, they generally cohere so as 

 to form a very pretty nest, more than an inch deep and quite 

 smooth within, whicii with care may be removed so as to 

 preserve its structure." 



During the time the young occupy the nest the passage 

 leading lo the terminal cliamber becomes almost filled with 

 castings, excreta, etc. 



In many cases two broods are reared in the season. Here, 

 in Fifeshire, I have never known more than one. 



?), Food hrotight to the Nest. — Fish, tadpoles, crayfish, and 



