828 REPORT OK STATE GEOLOGIST. 



seen in Dekalb County, Sedan, April 5 (Mrs. Hine). At Waterloo, 

 in 1894, March 18; 1896, March 29 (Feagler). 



Those living away from water courses and lakes do not know how 

 numerous Kingfishers are, and sometimes persons living along streams 

 think them more common than they are. A pair cover a certain 

 stretch of river, having certain places where they alight and watch 

 for fish. They are very busy, and their loud rattling noise often gives 

 the impression that there are more than the actual number. 



I have seen them mating at Brookville as early as March 24 (1893), 

 and as late as April 15 (1887). In April they excavate a hole in a 

 precipitous bank, usually of a water course, and therein deposit their 

 eggs. Sometimes by May 10 a full set is laid. Along the rivers sub- 

 ject to high waters, many of these birds seem to have learned to build 

 in other higher banks; occasionally, however, one builds on the low 

 river banks, and is drowned out. They generally breed in single 

 pairs. Some places they are found in colonies, and the banks are 

 honeycombed with their burrows. Often they and swallows occupy 

 the same bank, even sometimes having a common entrance to their 

 burrows. Dr. F. W. Langdon found, near Cincinnati, 0., May 22, 

 1879, in the same 'creek bank, the burrows of a Kingfisher and of a 

 Bough-winged Swallow. Each was occupied by the owner. Each bur- 

 row was occupied, in addition, by a colony of Bumble Bees, all dwelling 

 in perfect harmony. The Kingfisher was sitting, and would not leave 

 her eggs until taken by the bill and lifted off (Journ. Cin. Soc. N. H., 

 Dec., 1881, p. 338). 



The Kingfisher reminds one of a Woodpecker, which excavates holes 

 in banks instead of trees. It lives principally upon fish, although 

 insects are sometimes eaten. The bones, .scales and other indigestible 

 portions of its food are ejected in pellets, as is the custom with Owls. 



M. ORUEK PICI. WOODPECKERS, WRYNECKS, ETC. 



XXXII. FAMILY PICID^E. WOODPECKERS. 



a 1 . Toes 3. PICOIDES. 



a 2 . Toes 4. 



6 1 . Head with a conspicuous crest; size, much over a foot long. 



c 1 . Bill white. CJLMPEPHILUS. 92 



c 2 . Bill dark. CEOPHLCEUS. 95 



6 2 . Head not crested. 



d 1 . Outer hind-toe longer than outer front-toe. 



e 1 . Upper mandible with three distinct ridges, one in the middle, one on 

 each side; groove from nostrils to near the end of bill; plumage not 

 yellowish below. DRYOBATES. 93 



