ALCEDINID^E — THE KINGFISHERS. 395 



The result of the evidence thus given seems to be that the holes the 

 Kingfishers make are not less than four nor more than fifteen feet in 

 length ; that some are perfectly straight, while some, just before their 

 termination, turn to the right, and others to the left ; and that all have, 

 at or near the terminus, an enlarged space in which the eggs are deposited. 

 Here the eggs are usually laid on the bare sand, there being very rarely, if 

 ever, any attempt to construct a nest. The use of hay, dry grass, and feath- 

 ers, spoken of by the older writers, does not appear to be confirmed by more 

 recent testimony. Yet it is quite possible that in certain situations the use 

 of dry materials may be resorted to to protect the eggs from a too damp 

 soil. 



The place chosen for the excavation is not always near water. In the 

 spring of 1855 I found the nest of a Kingfisher in a bank by the side of the 

 carriage path on Mount Washington, more than a mile from any water. It 

 was a shallow excavation, made that season, and contained fresh e<ws the 

 latter part of May. The food of the pair was taken near the dam of a saw- 

 mill on Peabody Eiver. In anotlier instance a pair of Kingfishers made 

 their abode in a sand-bank in the midst of the village of Hingham, within 

 two rods of the main street, and within a few feet of a dwelling, and not in 

 the near vicinity of water. Here the confidence they displayed M'as not 

 misplaced. They were protected, and their singular habits carefully and 

 curiously watched. During the day they were cautious, reticent, and rarely 

 seen, but during the night they seemed to be passing back and forth contin- 

 ually, the return of each parent being announced by a loud rattling cry. 

 Later in the season, when the young required constant attention, these noc- 

 turnal noises seemed nearly incessant, and became almost a nuisance to the 

 family. 



The Kingfisher, having once selected a situation for its nest, is very 

 tenacious of it, and rarely forsakes it unless compelled to by too great 

 annoyances. They will submit to be robbed time after time, and still 

 return to the same spot and renew their attempts. They are devoted to 

 their young, exhibit great solicitude if their safety is threatened, and will 

 suffer themselves to be taken from their nest rather than leave it, and 

 immediately return to it again. 



Mr. Dall observed a male bird of this species digging other holes in the 

 bank near his nest, apparently for amusement or occupation. They were 

 never more than two feet in length and about eight inches in diameter. He 

 seemed to abandon them as soon as made, though seen to retire into one to 

 eat a fish he had captured. 



Tlie eggs are usually six, rarely seven, in number, and are of a beautifully 

 clear crystal whiteness. They are very nearly spherical in shape, and meas- 

 ure 1.31 by 1.06 inches. 



