2Q6 BRITISH BIRDS. 



upon the bare mould, there being not the smallest 

 appearance of a nest." 



King-fishers are not so numerous as might be 

 expected from the number of eggs found in their 

 nests, owing probably to the young being de- 

 stroyed by the floods, which must often rise above 

 the level of the holes where they are bred. 



Except in the breeding season, this bird is 

 usually seen alone, flying near the surface of the 

 water with the rapidity of an arrow, like a little 

 brilliant meteor, by which appearance the eye is 

 enabled to follow its long-continued course. Con- 

 sidering the shortness of its wings, the velocity 

 with which it flies is surprising. 



Ornithologists inform us that King-fishers are 

 found in almost every part of the globe; but it 

 does not appear that more than this one species 

 has ever been seen in Europe. 



