324 HISTORY OF THE 



The birds vary somewhat in size; specimens examined, how- 

 ever, show the females fully as large as the males. The follow- 

 ing is an average measurement: 



Stretch of 

 Length. -wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



13.00 22.00 6.30 3.80 .40 2.00 



Iris dark brown; bill black, or rather slate, with sides of 

 upper to nostrils, and forks of under, pale blue; legs dull purple 

 to greenish blue; feet dusky, bottoms pale, with a slight yellow- 

 ish hue; claws black. 



This widely distributed and solitary species appears to be as 

 much at home in the Arctic regions as within the tropical, often 

 remaining there until 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 overhanging limb, or perch, ready to dive for 

 the unlucky minnow that approaches to the surface of the water, 

 seldom 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. Then- 

 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 perpen- 

 dicular or steep banks of streams, and occasionally 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 fall- 

 ing 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. 



