'+4 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
A of tlicfe beautiful birds migrate to 
tb; c. iPitry ill the fummer, and feed on in- 
f i . It is f:id to make no neli:, but to lay 
' uni '.’’veu afh-coloiu ed eggs, in the holes 
.-■i rr-ees. vralls, or on the ground. 
rhe Id I N G - F I S H E R. 
T HIS beautiful bird whieb inhabits al- 
moll every country, may be laid to vie. in 
elegance of ^bmiagtr, with the parrot, the 
peacock, or even the fplendid fludings of the 
humming bird. It is larger than the fwal- 
low ; moftly frequents the banks of rivers, 
and makes its neft at the root of fome decayed 
tree, which it lines with the down of willow. 
I'iiey lay from live to nine white eggs before 
they fit, and hatch twice a year. In this 
bird we have an inftance of parental and con- 
jugal afFeftion, which might lhame many of 
the human race ; as a proof of which that in- 
genious author, Iheaumer, fays, that he had a 
female of this fpecies brought to his houl’c, 
upwards of three leagues from her neft. 
After having admired her beautiful colours, 
he let her fly again, v hen the fond creature 
was obferved inflaiitly to return to the neft 
where flie had jull before been made a cap- 
tive ; when joining her mate, flie began to 
lay again, though it was the third time, and 
