302 TO PROCURE YOUNG. [CHAP. v. 



and that with considerable success, to rear and keep it 

 in a captive state. It is true they have not survived 

 very long in confinement, in any instance with which 

 we are acquainted ; but an account of what has hitherto 

 been done, may be some guide to those who choose to 

 amuse themselves with the undertaking. 



The Kingfisher usually breeds in holes in the sides 

 of banks that overhang small ponds or streams. The 

 nest, such as it is, is composed of small fish-bones, which 

 appear to be the pellets thrown up by the bird after its 

 meal is digested. The eggs are pure white, of a pecu- 

 liar porcelain smoothness and lustre. So situated, it is 

 easily robbed by any adventurous youth who is fearless 

 enough to encounter the terrible stench which saturates 

 the hole, if he waits till the young are fit to take. When 

 fledged, they are easily reared by hand, and, from the 

 first, have the peculiar metallic brilliancy of plumage 

 which decorates them in after life. They may be had, 

 at the proper season, of the London bird merchants, at 

 about half-a-crown each ; but as they are by no means 

 rare birds in those localities of Great Britain which they 

 do frequent, and rear not a small quantity of young, 

 i. e., five, six, and sometimes seven, they are not diffi- 

 cult to be obtained by country residents. Fish at 

 first is their diet, after which they will take to meat ; 

 but no stale food of any kind should be given, as it is 

 apt to prove even fatal. They will also, if permitted, 

 dabble and plunge in their water trough, before they 

 have sufficient strength to emerge rapidly, and will die 

 of the cold and chill thus brought on. In a state of 

 nature they dash boldly into the water, and rebound 

 again, as it were, with the rapidity of a cricket-ball from 

 the player's bat. Not a drop of moisture adheres to the 



