234 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



and then flies in. The fishing-spot of the Kingfisher is never 

 near the nest, but generally in some quiet nook where the sun 

 slants through overhanging boughs on to the water. The depth 

 of water is usually eighteen inches or two feet, and the bird con- 

 tinually uses the same spot. It remains motionless on some 

 bough about two feet from the surface, and, as a fish passes 

 beneath, darts down with its wings held closely to the sides of 

 its body. In early spring, when the birds are pairing, they 

 become very noisy, flying to and fro after each other with shrill 

 cries. Once the nesting-site is chosen, nothing will induce the 

 birds to abandon the spot, which is used year after year, though 

 a new hole is made each spring. If the first nest is disturbed, 

 within a week the birds will commence a new tunnel within a 

 foot or two of the old one, and will do the same thing time after 

 time. When the young are full-grown they are slow to leave 

 the nest, but sit inside, uttering a low humming noise, like a 

 swarm of bees. If one taps the bank from outside they become 

 silent, and only recommence after some minutes have elapsed. 



(To be continued.) 



