276 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
and in consequence of this, before they leave the 
nest, there is a considerable accumulation of bones, 
which get piled up round the young birds, and 
present the appearance of a regularly built nest. 
How this may be I must leave to some one who 
lives in.a place more frequented by these birds to 
settle. J can, however, bear witness to the fact of. 
the “very ancient and fish-like smell” which per- 
vades the hole before the young birds leave their 
home. 
Kingfishers become tolerably tame, and may be 
kept in confinement, especially if placed in an aviary. 
where fresh water can be introduced, in which a 
sufficient supply of minnows and other small fish 
can be kept, as is done at the Zoological Gardens in 
London. 
It is almost impossible, either by painting or by a 
written description, to give any adequate idea of the 
brilliancy of the plumage of this bird. The beak, 
which is very long and large for the size of the bird, 
is nearly black, except the base of the lower man- 
dible, which is orange; the irides are red; the lore 
dusky; the top of the head dark blue, ribbed with 
bright light blue (all the blue in the Kingfisher 
varies, according to the light in which the bird is 
seen, from blue to green); there is a small patch 
above, and a long one under, the eye, reaching to 
the ear-coverts, of bright bay; the ear-coverts are 
white, some of the feathers are slightly tinged at the 
