76 
KINGFISHER. 
KINGSFISHER. COMMON KINGFISHER. 
COMMON KINGSFISHER, 
GLAS ¥ DORLAN, OF THE ANCIENT BRITISH. 
PLATE XXXIX.—-FIG. II. 
Alcedo ispida, : j j : LInNEUs. 
Ipsida Senegalensis, : : . Brisson. 
Gracula Atthis, . : ‘ a Gmewin. LatHam. 
THE nest is placed two or three feet within a hole 
in a bank, that, for the most part, of a water-rat, 
which the bird enlarges or alters as need be. It is 
said. also sometimes to hollow one out for itself. It 
slants downwards, the principles of drainage being 
sufficiently understood by instinct. The same situation 
is perseveringly resorted to from year to year. Much 
discussion has taken place on the question whether 
the Kingfisher forms an artificial nest or not, the eggs 
being often found “on the cold ground,” and often 
on a layer of fish bones. 
The young remain in the nest until fully fledged. 
For a short time they then, perched on some neighbour- 
ing branch, receive their food from their parents. 
The eggs, six or seven in number, are transparent 
white, and rather rotund in form. 
