BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
167 
the nature of the soil and the length of the shaft. Ordinarily two days 
are required for its completion, although instances are recalled where three, 
and even four days, have been occupied with the tunneling. 
With the successful accomplishment of this task, nothing further 
remains to be done but to deposit the eggs upon the bare sand. Some 
birds do not deem their labor finished until they have given their home 
a warm lining of dried grasses and feathers. Such cases are exceptional, 
and dependent upon the humidity of the ground. 
In 1855, Dr. Brewer discovered a nest of this species , on Mt. Wash- 
ington, alongside of a carriage-drive, and at a distance of a mile from any 
water-shallows. Another was found in a sand-hank in the village of 
Hingham, in close proximity to a dwelling, and quite remote from stream 
or pond. The authors of the latter nest were very cautious and retiring, 
seldom venturing out during the day, but Avere continually moving back- 
ward and forward at night, as evidenced by their loud, rattling cries. 
When with young these nocturnal excursions are not infrequent. 
Speaking of the building habits of these birds, reminds us of a curious 
fact which occurred in the history of a male-bird, of which Mr. Dali, of 
Washington, Avas an eye-Avitness. On a certain occasion his attention Avas 
attracted to his lordship engaged in digging holes by the side of his nest, 
which Avere two feet in depth and eight inches in diameter, apparently for 
no other purpose than that of pleasure or occupation. They AA'ere invari- 
ably abandoned as soon as constructed. Once, he entered one of these 
burroAA'S to eat a fish wdiich he had captured. 
Many fabulous stories have been told in ages that are past of the 
nest and manner of hatching of the Kingfishers, but they are too absurd 
and trifling to deserve more than a passing notice. The birds of our day 
neither construct their nests of glue or fishbones, nor commit them to the 
mercy of the Avaters to float about at random with their proprietors, but 
place them dee]A down in the earth, where they are secure from wind and 
rain, and the thousand perils AAdiich threaten the homes of their less saga- 
