142 
Dr. W. E. Collinge on the 
[Ibis, 
shown by the fact that whilst most of its favourite breeding 
places on the lower reaches of the Thames were occupied in 
1917, the upper reaches uere deserted, though the birds 
have reappeared in 1918. In Devon, Worcester, Cheshire, 
and Cumberland considerable decreases were noted, and 
some diminution in Kent, Surrey, and Middlesex, while no 
change is reported from Radnor and Beds.” 
2. Nesting Habits .—Further observations on the nesting 
habits of the Kingfisher are very desirable. All the nests I 
have met with have been in the banks of streams. I doubt 
if they are always dug out by the birds, as on two or three 
occasions I have found that the old burrows of the water- 
vole have been utilized, and in another case the hole was 
formed by part of the bank of the stream being washed 
away beneath the root of a tree. 
In all the nests examined I have found an accumulation 
of fish-bones and other indigestible portions of food, and 
only these. 
While in many cases I have failed to observe any attempt 
at arrangement of the different items, in others there is 
undoubtedly a very definite nest formed, described by 
Yarrell (10) as follows :—“The eggs are laid, sometimes on 
the bare soil, but at others on the fish-bones already ejected 
by the birds and allowed to accumulate until they amount to 
a handful or more. These bones are cast up as pellets, but 
are apparently worked by the bird's movements, as she sits, 
into the shape of a cup ; and, whether by pressure, by the 
moisture of the soil, or by both, they generally cohere so as 
to form a very pretty nest, more than an inch deep and quite 
smooth within, which with care may be removed so as to 
preserve its structure.” 
During the time the young occupy the nest the passage 
leading to the terminal chamber becomes almost filled with 
castings, excreta, etc. 
In many cases two broods are reared in the season. Here, 
in Fifeshire, I have never known more than one. 
3. Food brought to the Nest. —Fish, tadpoles, crayfish, and 
