596 
HALCYONS. 
tremity, however, is rounded like an oven, so as to allow 
the individuals and their brood a sufficiency of room. 
This important labor is indeed prospective, as the same 
hole is employed for a nest and roost for many succeed- 
ing years. Here, on a few twigs, grass, and feathers, 
the eggs, about 6, and white, are deposited. Incubation, 
in which both parents engage, continues for 16 days ; 
and they exhibit great solicitude for the safety of their 
brood. The mother, simulating lameness, sometimes 
drops on the water, fluttering as if wounded and una- 
ble to rise from the stream. The male also perched on 
the nearest bough, or edge of the projecting bank, jerks 
his tail, elevates his crest, and passing to and fro before 
the intruder, raises his angry and vehement rattle of com- 
plaint.* They are very tenacious of their cell, and seldom 
forsake it, however molested. But at the commencement 
of winter, the frost obliges our humble Fisher to seek 
more open streams, and even the vicinity of the sea ; but 
he is seen to return to Pennsylvania by the commence- 
ment of April. 
The length of this species is about 12 inches ; alar extent 20. 
Bill brownish-black, light greenish-blue at the base. Iris hazel. 
Feet greyish-blue ; the claws black. Quills brownish-black, barred 
with white at the base ; tail-feathers the same, but more barred with 
white. — The blue of the female duller. 
* Audubon, Orn. Biog. i. p. 396. 
