THE BELTED KINGFISHER. 363 
foremost. If the fish is a large one its would-be host often finds it necessary to 
go through the most ridiculous contortions, gaspings, writhings, chokings, 
regurgitations, and renewed attempts, in order to encompass its safe delivery 
within. 
Kingfishers have the reputation of being very unsocial birds. Apart 
from their family life, which is idyllic, this reputation is well sustained. Good 
fishing is so scarce that the birds deem it best to portion off the territory with 
others of their own kind, and they are very punctilious about the observance 
of boundaries and allotments. For the rest, why should they hunt up avian 
companions, whose tastes are not educated to an appreciation of exposed, 
water-soaked stubs, and a commanding view of river scenery? However, 
I once did see a Kingfisher affably hobnobbing with a Kingbird, on a barren 
branch which overlooked a crystal stream in Idaho. I wonder if they recog- 
nized a mutual kingliness, this humble fisherman and this petulant hawk- 
driver ? 
Kingfisher courtship is a very noisy and spirited affair. One does not 
know just how many miles up and down stream it is considered proper for 
the gallant to pursue his enamorata before she yields a coy acceptance; and 
it is difficult to perceive how the tender passion can survive the din of the 
actual proposal, where both vociferate in wooden concert to a distracted world. 
But la! love is mighty and doth mightily prevail. 
The nesting tunnel is driven laterally into the face of a steep bank, pre- 
ferably of sand or loam, usually directly over the water, but occasionally at 
a considerable distance from it. Dr. Brewer reports one in a gravel pit at 
least a mile from the water. ‘The birds are not so particular as are the Bank 
Swallows about digging near the top of the bank, but, especially if the bank 
is small, usually select a point about midway. The tunnel goes straight in or 
turns sharply to suit an occasional whim, until a convenient depth, say five 
or six feet, is reached, when a considerable enlargement is made for the nest 
chamber. Here, early in May, six or seven white eggs are laid, usually upon 
the bare earth, but sometimes upon a lining of grass, straw and trash. From 
time to time the birds eject pellets containing fish scales, the broken teste of 
Crawfish and other indigestible substances, and these are added to the accumu- 
lating nest material. Sanitary regulations are not very strict in Kingfisher’s 
home, and by the time the young are ready to fly we could not blame them 
for being glad to get away. The female is a proverbially close sitter, often 
permitting herself to be taken with the hand, but not until after she has 
made a vigorous defense with her sharp beak. If a stick be introduced into 
the nest she will sometimes seize it so tightly that she can be lifted from the 
eggs, turtle fashion. 
The parents are very busy birds after the young have broken shell, and it 
takes many a quintal of fish to prepare six, or maybe seven, lusty fisher princes 
