NESTING-SERIES OF BRITISH BIRDS. 173 
burrow, either dug out by the bird or made by a rabbit. The young 
are fed on small fish, which are carried transversely in the bill of the 
parent, and as many as eight are sometimes brought at a time. 
Island of Grassholme, Pembrokeshire, July. 
Presented by Colonel P, W. L’ Estrange. 
No. 98. MANX SHEARWATER, (Puffinus anglorum.) 
This species is widely distributed over British waters throughout the 
year, and breeds on many of the unfrequented islands round our 
coasts, with the exception of those on the eastern shores of Great 
Britain, where no breeding-station has as yet been found. It skims 
the surface of the waves with rapid flight in search of surface-fish and 
other floating food, and is also an expert diver. The single white egg 
is deposited in a burrow on a few blades of dry grass. The nestling 
remains in its home until long after it is fully fledged and, becoming 
enormously fat, is greatly esteemed by some as an article of food. 
Isles of Scilly, June. 
Presented by Mdward Bidwell, Esq. 
No. 99. KINGFISHER. (Alcedo ispida.) 
This resident species is common along the banks of streams and 
lakes and on many parts of the coast of England, but is less numerous 
in Scotland and Ireland. It feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and insects, 
the first-named being secured by a sudden plunge from some convenient 
perch aboye the water. The nesting-place, which is a hole in the bank 
two or three feet in length and terminating in a chamber, is generally 
excavated by the birds. The entrance is usually situated above the 
reach of floods, but occasionally a site is selected at some distance 
from water. No nest is constructed, but in old nesting-chambers the 
floor is covered with bones and seales of fish, which have been cast up 
by the young of previous broods. The eggs vary in number from six 
to nine and are rounded, white, and highly glossy. In the group 
exhibited, part of the bank has been removed to show the internal 
construction of the burrow and four of the young eighteen days old, 
which are still being fed by the parent-bird. The two young birds 
perched outside the entrance also formed part of the brood, and were 
respectively six and seven weeks old, and able to care for themselves. 
Suffolk, May. 
Presented by T. Harcourt-Powell, Esq. 
