80 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



It may possibly be owing to these bones and the partial decom- 

 position which must take place during the time occupied in dry- 

 ing, that the burrow possesses so exceedingly evil an odor. This 

 unpleasant effluvium , which may indeed be called by the stronger 

 name of stench, is wonderfully enduring, and clings to the bird as 

 well as to its dwelling. The feathers of the Kingfisher are most 

 lovely to the eye, but the proximity- of the bird is by no means 

 agreeable to the nostrils, the " ancient and fishlike smell" being 

 extremely penetrating. I have now before me a stuffed and 

 perfectly dry skin of a Kingfisher, which has been washed and 

 soaked in water for many hours, and yet retains the peculiar odor, 

 which is so strong that, after I had prepared it, many and copious 

 ablutions were required to divest my hands of the horrible ema- 

 nation. 



To those who collect eggs, and care for numbers, the discovery 

 of a Kingfisher's nest is a singular boon. Not only does the bird 

 lay a great number of eggs, the aggregate mass of which exceeds 

 her own dimensions, but she is a fearless and indefatigable layer, 

 and if the eggs are removed with proper care, she will produce an . 

 enormous number in the course of a season. 



The comical little Puffin {Fratercula arciica). may be reckoned 

 among the true burrowers, possessing both the will and the power 

 of excavation, but exercising neither unless pressed by necessity. 



As is the custom with most diving birds, the Pufiin lays only 

 one egg, and always deposits it in some deep burrow. If possi- 

 ble, the bird takes advantage of a tunnel already excavated, such 

 as that of the rabbit, and " squats" upon another's territory, just 

 as the Coquimbd owl takes possession of the excavations made by 

 the prairie dog. The rabbit does not allow its dominion to be 

 usurped without remonstrance, and accordingly the bird and the 

 beast engage in fierce conflict before the matter is settled. Al- 

 most invariably the Puffin wins the day, its powerful beak and 

 determined courage being more than a match for the superior size 

 of its antagonist. 



When it is unable to obtain a ready-made habitation, it sets to 

 work on its own account, and excavates tunnels of considerable 

 dimensions. 



The Feroe Islands are notable haunts of the Puffin, because the 

 soil, which is in many places soft and easily worked, is favorable 

 for its excavations. The male is the principal excavator, though 



