142 BRITISH SIBDS' NESTS. 



about 1"55 by 1*25 in. Indistingnisbable from tbe 

 eggs of the Hobby, and a sight of parent bird 

 only can settle identity. 



Time. — April and May. 



Bemarls. — Migratory, although a few specimens 

 remain through the winter in Southern England. 

 Note, a chattering kind of scream. Local and 

 other names : Windhover, Staengall, Stannel Haw^k, 

 Stannel Hoverliawk, Stonegall, Creshawk, Standgale. 

 A pretty close sitter. 



KINGFISHER. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about 

 seven inches. Bill long, strong, straight, and black, 

 except at the base of the under mandible, where it 

 is orange. Irides hazel. Crown, nape, back, wings, 

 rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail dark, greenish-blue ; 

 the head and neck are barred with brilliant azure 

 blue. The wing-coverts are spotted with the same 

 colour, which is prominent on the middle of the 

 back, rump, and upper tail-coverts. Wing-quills 

 dull greenish-black, greenish-blue on the outer 

 webs, and reddish-brown on the outside edges of 

 the inner, except at the tips, wdiich are dull black. 

 From the base of the upper mandible to the eye, 

 and thence to the ear-coverts, chestnut. Chin and 

 throat dirty white, slightly tinged with rust colour. 

 Breast, belly, sides, vent, and under tail-coverts, 

 beautiful chestnut ; duller on the last two mentioned 

 parts. Legs and toes pink ; claws, brownish-black. 



The female has a shorter beak, and is slightly 

 duller in her plumage. 



Situation and Locality. — A hole in river or other 

 bank, generally well hidden by some overhanging 



