Habits op the Kingfisher ( Ceryle alcyon). — • The following observa- 
tions are communicated by Mrs. Mary Treat, Green Cove Spring, Florida : 
“ A Kingfisher whose feeding-ground is just in front of my windows fishes 
from a private wharf, where he is seldom disturbed, and has become so 
tame that he pursues his avocations without concern, though I may be 
standing within a few feet of him. I learned that he ejects from the 
mouth the bones, scales, or other indigestible portions of his food, just 
f like a bird of prey. When the water is so rough that it is difficult 
for him to procure fish, instead of seeking some sequestered pool he 
remains at his usual post, occasionally making an ineffectual effort to se- 
cure his customary prey, until, nearly starved, he resorts to a sour-gum 
tree ( Nyssa aquatica, L.) in the vicinity, and greedily devours the berries. 
Returning to his post, he soon ejects a pellet of the large seeds and skins 
of the fruit. I have saved some of these pellets, as well as those composed 
of fish-bones and scales.” The remains of fish which are found in the 
bird’s breeding-holes, giving rise to a very general impression that the nest 
is constructed of these materials, are probably deposited in this way. The 
interesting instance of the bird’s feeding on fruit brings out the relation- 
ship between the truly piscivorous species and certain exotic non-aquatic 
representatives of the family. — Elliott Coues, Washington, D. G. 
Pull N.O.O. 3, April, 1878, p.92 
