GO 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
are of a reddish yellow, and the three joints of the utmost 
toe adhere to the middle toe. while the inner toe adheres 
only by one. 
From the diminutive size, the slender short leers, and 
the beautiful colours of this bird, no person would suppose 
it one of the most rapacious little animals that skims the 
deep Yet it is for ever on the wing, and feeds on fish 
which it takes in surprising quantities, when we consider its 
size and figure. It chieHy frequents the banks of rivers 
and takes its prey after the manner of the osprey, balancing 
itsell at a certain distance above the water for a considerable 
space, then darting into the deep, and seizing the fish with 
inevitable certainty. While it remains suspended in the air 
in a bright day, the plumage exhibits a beautiful variety of 
the most dazzling and brilliant colours. 
| lie king-fisher builds its nest by the river-side, in a hole 
winch it burrows out itself, or in the deserted hole of a rat 
In these holes, which, from the remains of fish brought there’ 
are very foetid, the king-fisher is often found with from five 
eggs to nine. I here the female continues to hatch even 
though disturbed ; and though the nest be robbed, she will 
again, return and lay there. The male, whose fidelity ex- 
ceeds even that of the turtle, brings her large provisions of 
hsh while she is thus employed; and she, contrary to 
most other birds, is found plump and fat at that season. 
he ancients have had their fables concerning this bird 
and so have the modern vulgar. It is an opinion generally 
received among them, that the flesh of the king-fisher will 
not corrupt, and that it will even banish all vermin. This 
has no better foundation than that which is said of its al- 
ways pointing, when hung up dead, with its breast to the 
north. he only truth that can be affirmed of this bird 
when killed is, that its flesh is utterly unfit to be eaten - 
while its beautiful plumage preserves its lustre longer than 
that of any other bird we know 
domestic ^ the ' e are about thirt y* six species foreign and 
The Cuckoo. From these elegant animals we proceed to 
one, which, if it cannot boast much variety and beauty of 
plumage, i S ye t conspicuous for the lightness and elegance 
of its form, and for its peculiar habits. This sin-relafbhd 
which is somewhat less than a pigeon, and of a areyish 
colour, is distinguished from all other birds, bv its* round 
prominent nostrils. Having disappeared all the winter it 
discovers itse.f in our country early in the spring, by its well- 
