36 STRANGE DWELLINGS 



Generally, the nest is placed in the deserted burrow of a 

 water-vole, but in this instance it had been made in the empty 

 tunnel of a water-shrew, so that the hole was of comparatively 

 small dimensions, and would not admit my hand and arm with- 

 out some artificial enlargement. In all cases, the bird takes care 

 to increase the size of the burrow at the spot where the nest is 

 made, and to choose a burrow that slopes upwards, so that 

 however high the water may rise, the nest will be perfectly dry. 



That the eggs are laid upon dry fish-bones is a fact that has 

 long been known, but for an accurate account of the nest we 

 are mdebted to Mr. Gould, the eminent ornithologist. 



Until he succeeded in removing the nest entire, no one had 

 been able to perform such a feat, and so well known to all 

 bird-nesters is the difficulty of the task, that a legend was, and 

 perhaps is still, current in various parts of England, that the 

 authorities of the British Museum had offered a reward of loo/. 

 to anyone who would deposit in their collection a perfect nest 

 of the Kingfisher. This feat has been admirably accomplished 

 by Mr. Gould. 



The nest is composed wholly of fish-bones, minnows furnish- 

 ing the greater portion. These bones are ejected by the bird 

 when the flesh is digested, just as an owl ejects the pellets on 

 which her eggs are laid. The walls of the nest are about half 

 an inch in thickness, and its form is very flat. The circular 

 shape and slight hollow show that the bird really forms the mass 

 of bones into a nest, and does not merely lay her eggs at random 

 upon the ejecta. The whole of these bones were deposited 

 and arranged in the short space of three weeks. 



It may possibly be owing to these bones and the partial de- 

 composition which must take place during the time occupied in 

 drying, that the burrow possesses so exceedingly evil an odour. 

 This unpleasant eflfluvium, which may indeed be called by the 

 stronger name of stench, is wonderfully enduring, and clings to 

 the bird as well as to its dwelling. The feathers of the King- 

 fisher are most lovely to the eye, but the proximity of the bird 

 is by no means agreeable to the nostrils, the ' ancient and fish- 

 like smell ' being extremely penetrating. I have now before me 



