374 
BIRDS OF NEW MEXICO 
confined largely to the middle reaches of the mountain streams where it subsists on 
small fish. It, however, does occur in summer and probably breeds [at Santa Fe 
in the banks of the Rio Grande (Jensen, 1923) ], and at Carlsbad, where the Pecos 
swarms with small fish able to withstand the alkali (Bailey). It breeds along the 
mountain streams above Las Vegas (Mitchell), on the eastern slope of the Mogollons 
near Chloride (Biinn), and probably near Fort Webster and along the Gila (Henry). 
It was seen on the Pecos River, July 11-16, 1903, at about 8,000 feet, and probably 
had nested not far distant (Bailey). 
In the fall migration it has been noted as high as 9,400 feet on the Costilla River, 
August 21, 1904 (Bailey); and also in the San Mateo Mountains (Goldman); Jemez 
Mountains (Bailey); White Mountains (Hollister); and in the Mogollons at Beaver 
Lake, where the first were seen August 26, 1908 (Birdseye). From the paucity of 
records it is evident that the species is rare in northwestern New Mexico. 
One was seen at Aztec December 7, 1893 (Loring); one at Las Vegas December 20, 
1882 (Batchelder); seen at two localities in Union County, at Clapham, where it was 
“not uncommon’ October 26, 1893 (Sefcon); and one on the Cimarron River Novem¬ 
ber 5, 1915 (Ligon). It was noted on the Carlsbad Bird Reserve, in January, 1915; 
in the winter of 1915-16; [and one or two seen in December, 1916; also on the Rio 
Grande Bird Reserve (Elephant Butte), where it was common November 23-Decem- 
ber 9, 1916 (Willett). In the spring migration it is “well distributed over the State” 
(1916-1918). One was seen May 9, 1920, at San Simon (Ligon)].—W. W. Cooke. 
Nest.— A dome-shaped chamber at the end of a burrow 4 to 15 feet long, in a 
cut-bank. Eggs: Usually 6 to 8, white; laid on bones and fish scales, crawfish shells, 
and other ejected hard parts of the food. 
Iood. “Chiefly fish, in most localities species of no commercial value” (Hender¬ 
son), but also aquatic insects injurious to fish; grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, crawfish, 
toads, frogs, lizards, small snakes, and sometimes mice. 
General Habits. —Along mountain streams the loud rattle of the 
Belted Kingfisher, which has been spoken of as the " territory note” by 
which he states his claim to rival fishermen, sometimes announces the 
rapid disappearance of a large grayish blue bird, on his solitary way to or 
from his woodland fishing grounds. When he lights on a branch over 
the water, his large, crested head and short legs and tail give him a top- 
heavy, abbreviated appearance; but when he plunges obliquely down 
into the water after his fish, the advantages of a trim compact form are 
easily seen tail streamers would be decidedly in the way here. 
They would be still more in the way in promenading back and forth 
thi ough the long nes^ tunnel, especially as these curious cave dwellers, 
shown by Mr. F. H. Herrick’s most interesting and enlightening photo¬ 
graphs, have the anomalous habit of walking backwards. The forma¬ 
tion of this grotesque habit in the young is clearly explained by Mr. 
Herrick. As he says, “From the time of birth the young lie huddled in 
a cluster in their dark underground chamber. . . As they grow in 
size and strength the monotony of sitting still, often with legs and wings 
interlocked, must become very great, and . . . they soon begin to 
bite and tease one another like young puppies. Should one be hard- 
pressed, the only way of escape lies along the narrow passage, which 
