215 



it is (wo inches from the base to the tip, but the colours 

 of this bird atone for its inelegant Form. The crown 

 of the head and the edges of the wings are of a deep 

 blackish green, spotted with bright azure; the back 

 and tail are of the most resplendent azure ; the whole 

 under-side of the body is orange-coloured ; a broad 

 mark of the same passes from the biJl beyond the eyes, 

 beyond that is a large white spot ; the tail is short, 

 and consists of twelve feathers of a rich deep blue ; the 

 feet are of a reddish yellow. 



From the diminutive size, and the beautiful colours 

 of this bird, no person would be led to suppose it so 

 rapacious an animal. It is ever on the wing, and 

 feeds on fish, which it takes in surprising quantities, 

 balancing itself at a certain distance above the water 

 fora considerable space, then darting down and seizing 

 the fish with inevitable certainty. 



The king fisher, with which we are acquainted, has 

 none of those supposed powers of allaying the storm, 

 or building upon the waves. It is contented to make 

 its nests on the banks of rivers, in such situations as 

 not to be affected by the rising of the stream. Whea 

 it has found a place for its purpose, it hollows out with 

 its bill a hole about a yard deep ; or if it finds the de- 

 serted hole of a rat, it takes quiet possession. This 

 hole it enlarges at the bottom, and lining it with the 

 down of the willow, lays its eggs there without any 

 further preparation. 



The female begins to lay early in the season, and 

 excludes her first brood about the beginning of April. 

 The male brings her large provisions offish, while she 

 is thus employed, and she, contrary to most other 

 birds, is found fat at the season of hatching. 



9, I have now only to add a few reflections. 



And 1. That birds should all lay eggs, and not bring 



