53 



in a tree. On examining one of tliese holes, in a Lank not far from the sea 

 beach, the floor or bottom was observed to incline slightly upwards from the 

 entrance, the eggs, deposited on the remains of crustacean, were not more than 

 one foot back from the outside of the hole. When a tree has been selected for 

 its home, we have been led sometimes to the discovery, by observing the 

 quantity of chips lying beneath ; its powerful bill soon excavates a nesting- 

 place in the partially decayed wood. The situation varies from a few feet to 

 above thirty feet from the ground (See Plate 4, Fig. 1). The eggs are pure 

 glossy-white, delicate, and very beautiful, more fragile, perhaps, than those of 

 most other species, oval in shape, with a length of 1 inch -| line, by a breadth 

 of 10|- lines. After hatching, the nest is carefully cleared of the broken shells. 

 The young remain in the nest till well-fledged, and, apparently, almost full- 

 grown. On examining the castings of the Kingfisher, which are often to be 

 met with in abundance near a nest containing young, we have observed that 

 the external wing-cases of coleopteree, have formed one of the principal 

 ingredients of the pellets. We have noted that a nest from which the young 

 emerged late in November, again contained eggs in January. Our Halcyon 

 must lay a much smaller number of eggs than the English Kingfisher. 

 Although this bird may be constantly seen occupying some prominent branch, 

 or stake, when watching for its prey (which, by the way, is of a very miscel- 

 laneous character), yet, when approaching or leaving its nest, it always, where 

 possible, seeks the screen of overhanging trees, as it swiftly darts through the 

 gully, permitting but a glimpse of its bright showy feathers. Should any one 

 approach too close to the neighbourhood of its breeding-hole, the parent bird 

 utters a low cry, like cree, cree, cree, frequently repeated. Our bird is much 

 more sociable than its European relative, which is so remarkable for its 

 solitary habits, that it has been stated, that the male and female only associate 

 together at the breeding season : we have counted as many as eight of our 

 Kingfishers sitting in company ; after a heavy rain we have observed, on our 

 lawn, several of the croquet hoops occupied at one time by these striking- 

 looking birds. It is rarely to be seen on the ground ; after darting down, 

 either in the water, or on land, and securing its booty, it immediately flies 

 with it to some perch, or post of vantage, and ' prepares it for deglutition, by 

 administering some smart blows with its bill, the sound of which may often be 

 distinctly heard. During the breeding season it indulges in a monotonous call 

 of chimp, chimp, chimp, then a pause, the call and pause alternating for a 

 considerable time. Fish, crustacese, young birds, mice, coleopterae, bees, and 

 other insects, furnish some portion of the food-supply of the Kingfisher ; we 

 have often noticed its rapid dart at a brood of young chickens. This bird is 

 one of those fortunate species, whose numbers seem rather to increase than 

 diminish at the approach of civilization. 



The name of Halcyon given by ornithologists to this species, carries us 

 far back into the very early days of Natural History. The history of its 

 European congener was enveloped in poetic fables for centuries ; probably no 

 other bird, whose habits could be so easily observed, has been so universally 

 the subject of groundless tales, or superstitious regard, — perhaps the recital of 

 some of these notices may be excused. Aristotle, after a fair description of 

 the bird, gravely states : " Its nest resembles the marine balls which are called 

 hoelosachnce, except in colour, for they are red ; in form it resembles those 

 sicyse (cucurbits) which have long necks." Again, he says : " This bird 

 hatches its young about the time of the winter solstice. Whereupon fine days 

 occurring at this season are called Halcyon days." Omitting the fabulous 

 accounts of many ancient authors, let us peruse the account of the philosopher 

 of a more recent date, on the breeding habits of this wonderful bird ; thus, 

 quaintly wrote Montaigne : — 



