128 THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



work on a new nest, in front of tlie cottage, this time between 

 the door and the window. This also was deserted, probably for 

 the same reason. On November 14th, they had chosen another 

 site on the southern wall of the cottage. There they were 

 seen darting upwards from a convenient rail five or six times a 

 minute, and digging out the material with their bills, which were 

 used as picks. It was hard work ; and it was all in vain, as this 

 site also was unsuitable, and had to be abandoned. Three more 

 attempts were made ; three more failures were recorded. Finally, 

 on November 26th, thirty-eight days after the project had been 

 started, success crowned their efforts, and they reaped the reward 

 of perseverance and industry. It was the seventh attempt, and 

 the spot proved to be on the very wall of the chimney that had 

 been the scene of the first attack. On December 4th, the nest was, 

 found to contain two eggs. Later on there were five, and, on 

 December 24th, the familj^ was increased by five young 

 kingfishers. 



Sometimes the construction of a nest occupies several weeks. 

 The labour is divided fairly equally between the male and the 

 female. When a pair were timed, it was found that, if the female 

 worked harder on one day, the male made up for it the next day. 

 When a site is finally selected, and the co-operative works are 

 fairly started, the birds do not leave the spot, l)ut one keeps watch 

 while the other is working, or seeking food. If an alarm is given, 

 it is ciuickly answered, perhaps from a distance of half a mile. A 

 bird will stay in the tunnel sometimes for three minutes. It will 

 emerge head first, having turned round inside, and its place will 

 be taken by the mate. 



It is recorded by Mr. Potts in connection with one pair that, 

 when the female flew off to feed, the male remained to watch 

 just below the hole. As soon as his mate returned, in about twenty 

 minutes, he recommenced his work. They darted upwards from 

 their perches into the hole, always correctly judging the distance, 

 and, at the moment of entering, uttered a short cry of two notes, 

 like "clii-rit. " Once the female darted to the hole, flew back, 

 perhaps out of timidity, then sought the male, who bent down 

 from his perch and caressed her with his beak. 



