BELTED KINGFISHER. 195 



OBSERVATIONS. 



There is little or no variation even in size between the specimens collected at Key West and in Northern Maine, aside 

 from those described, molting from age or sex. Distributed in summer throughout the entire continent of North America. 

 Winters iu the more southern portions, but is occasionally found as far north as Massachusetts at this season. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of twelve specimens. Length, 12'31; stretch, 21'75; wing, 6'25; tail, 3'72; bill, 1'65; tarsus, 

 65. Longest specimen, 13'50; greatest extent of wing, 23'50; longest wing, 6'50; tail, 4'00; bill,2 -50; tarsus, '70. Short- 

 est >]>eeimen, 11- 12; smallest extent of wing, 21'00; shortest wing, G'OO; tail, 3'45; bill, 1'81; tarsus, -61). 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nests, placed in holes which are drilled in banks of earth. The opening is about 3.50 in diameter and the burrow ex- 

 tends in a horizontal direction for from four to eight feet. The cavity foi the nest, at the extremity, is some (>'00 in diam- 

 eter and the eggs are placed on the sand or gravel. 



Eyys, four to six in number, oval in form, pure white in color, with a polished surface. Dimensions from T08 x T 12 to 

 1-16x140. 



HABITS. 



There are few birds which are better known throughout the length and breadth of our 

 northern continent than the Kingfishers, for their .abruptly given rattle is heard along the 

 rushing streams and blue lakes of the far north, by the majestic, swiftly flowing rivers of the 

 middle districts, and on the borders of the quiet lagoons of the extreme south. Go where 

 we will, at the proper season, we will be greeted by these quaint birds always provided, 

 however, that there is water enough in the immediate vicinity to sustain life iu a minnow. 

 When we hear their enlivening notes in the north, we may be sure that the halcyon days 

 arc near, for their advent proclaims that the sway of the Ice King is broken and the laugh- 

 ing brooks are once more free from bondage. It is true that the happy pair no longer 

 float their nest upon the placid waters as they did in the long-past Golden Age, but the 

 Powers of the air yet extend their favors to the progeny of the devoted Alcyone, and when 

 we see the Kingfishers perched on the yellowing willows, we may be sure that the glorious 

 summer is not far away. 



The Kingfishers arrive in New England from the last week in March to late in April, 

 the time of their appearance, as implied above, depending upon the mildness of the season. 

 At first, they are only found in the immediate vicinity of water when the male may be seen 

 playfully pursuing the female, but later, they seek sand or gravel pits, often some dis- 

 tance from their usual resorts. When crossing the intervening country, they will mount 

 high in air and pursue their way in a direct course, flying with a slow but steady flight, 

 while the body is kept at an angle, giving the bird a peculiar appearance. A pair will 

 frequently be a long time in deciding upon some particular spot in which to make their 

 home, visiting first one sand-bank, then another, until a thorough inspection of the lo- 

 cality lias convinced them that it is suitable for a home, then they will begin the laborious 

 process of drilling a hole for the nest. This is accomplished by scratching with the feet, 

 aided by the powerful bill, but it requires a long time to construct the tunnel and both 

 birds will frequently be employed upon it for upwards of two weeks. The mouth of the 

 hole is usually about two feet from the top of the bank and extends in a horizontal direc- 

 tion for from four to eight feet, sometimes straight but often turning to the right or left, 



