BIRDS OF KANSAS 103 



tropical, often remaining there nntil the ice closes their 

 natural fishing grounds, and hunger forces them to seek 

 for the finny tribe in similar open waters. Their favorite 

 resorts are along the margins of ponds, and at the foot of 

 shallow rapids, where they patiently watch from an over- 

 hanging limb, or perch, ready to dive for the unlucky 

 minnow that approaches to the surface of the water, sel- 

 dom failing to capture. They are equally successful on 

 the wing, hovering for a time before plunging; in all 

 cases carrying the catch to the nearest resting place, 

 where they usually kill it by beating it against the perch, 

 and always swallow the same head-first. 



In flight the motion of their wings is very rapid, and 

 their course direct, and usually near the surface of the 

 water. Their voice is shrill and harsh, much like the 

 sound of a watchman's rattle. 



Their nests are placed at the end of burrows, which the 

 birds tunnel horizontally into the sides and near the tops 

 of perpendicular or steep banks of streams, and occasion- 

 ally into the sides of gravel banks, some distance from the 

 water ; are usually about two feet in depth, but have been 

 known to extend over fifteen feet; in fact, not stopping 

 work until a place is reached where they can safely rear 

 their young without fear from falling earth or pebbles. 

 At the end it is scooped out oven-shaped for the nest, 

 which is sometimes sparingly lined with grasses and 

 feathers. Eggs five or six, 1.32x1.05; pure white; in 

 form, oval. 



