(hi the Kingfisher and other Birds, by Mr. Ferguson. 121 



-were so choked up with filth that it was a marvel the old 

 birds could get in. I concealed myself behind a hedge which 

 runs parallel to the course of the burn, within a few feet of 

 one of the nests, and after waiting a few minutes saw one of 

 the parent birds, carrying a minnow in its bill, fly rapidly up 

 and down the burn several times, and finally alight on a 

 stone immediately beneath the hole. The minnow was 

 carried by the tail, and was evidently quite dead. After 

 looking about suspiciously for a little, the bird entered the 

 nest. It remained there about a minute and then darted out 

 with the speed of an arrow. The manner in which it left 

 the nest contrasted strangely enough with its cautious mode 

 of approaching it. I once discovered a kingfisher's nest 

 with eggs. These were of a pinkish white colour, which 

 became a pure white when they were blown. They were 

 about the size of the eggs of the dipper, but more oval in 

 shape. The kingfisher, when in search of food, generally 

 takes its station on a bough overhanging a stream. After 

 surveying the water beneath attentively for a while, it darts 

 into the air, supports itself there for a few seconds by rapid 

 vibrations of the pinions, and then plunges down on its prey 

 with a velocity that the eye can scarcely follow. If unsuc- 

 cessful, it returns to the bough and repeats the same process 

 until it attains its object. Its powers of diving are by no 

 means so great as those of the dipper, and I never saw one 

 remain under water over three seconds at a time. The only 

 notes I have ever heard the kingfisher utter are a sort of 

 " chuck" and a peculiar indescribable sound resembling that 

 made by a dog when retching. When emitting the latter 

 note, the bird contracts the forepart of its body with a 

 jerking motion. As I never heard this cry except in 

 summer, and when the two birds were together, I concluded 

 it was an amorous call, like those made by rooks in early 

 spring. 



A Siskin, Carcluelis spinus, was shot last month at a 

 small pond surrounded with alders near Clockmill ; and a 

 Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus, among some reeds at Dunse 

 Castle lake. The latter bird is not often met with, but I 

 am told a few are seen every year in the pools and ditches 

 in Dogden Moss. 



