The Penn's Grove record., 1883-11-03

This bird while chiefly a migratory
species In the northern and central sec
tons Of our country. 1t never entirely
deserts us, but when the winters are
favorable permanently dwells in our
midst. 1t is not, however, so common
as / the spring and fall, o does it
render itself so conspicuous as then. In
warm, sheltered localities on the Wissa-
hickOn we have observed it in the
months of January and February-the
same oddly-dressed and uDcouth figure,
but lacking in voice and spirit. Farther
southwark, where the orange and bana-
ma bud and bloom the whole year round
it loses none Of its wonted energy, but
is the same joyous, happyfellow. Perch
ed upon a projecting snag oil tree branch,
overlooking some expanse of water, we
see 1t In imagination, as we have oft
seen 1t with the bodily eye, the very
picture of patience and perseverance,
awaiting with anxious expectancy the
appearance of It's finny prey. The quiet
ness of the grave reigns around. Not a
feather of the bird flutters, not d note
escapes its bill. You fancy it to be as
leep, but you are mistaken, for while
you are ~cogitating and wondering what
all this you are startled from
your dreaming by a sudden dash and
splash, which are quickly followed by a
loud, harsh, exultant cry, resembling
the sound of a watchman's rattle, which
tells you that the Shiny victim has been
secured and swallowed. All this has
been done in the twinkling of an eye,
and our worthy friend is ready for
another adventure. Although strongly
~pisclvorous by nature, yet there are
good grounds for believing that the
kingtishers does not confine itself to a
fish diet, for several stomach examina-
tions which we have made show indis-
putable faces of insects as well. Ants,
earthworms, ground beetles and cater
pliers have been detected, and in a.
solitary instance, the wings and legs of
a species of moth, allied to the arctidns.
The nest of this bird is built in holes
'excavated in the sides of ponds,
streams or cliffs contiguous to water
With us, railroad cuttings afford con
venient places. The burrows are ordi-
narily made in dry ground beyond the
reach of foundations, and are the ..re-
suits of the labor of both birds working
by turns. Where the bank is soft and
sandy, adeep excavation is often made
in a single night. These cavities vary
in direction and depth, some being less
thai four, while others are more than
fifteen feet deep, some being almost
vertical, while others turn either to the
right or the left before terminating in
the chamber which is constructed for
the eggs. The time spent varies from
two to four days, and depends upon the
character of the soil and the depths of
the burrow. Usually the birds dispense
with a lining, and deposit their eggs
upen the bare sand. Where the soil Is
damp and cold, the bedding of dried
grasses and feathers secures the neces-
sary warmth and protection. Nests
have, in a few cases. been discovered
quite remote from water, but these are
the exception rather than the rule.
When once a pair of kingfshers have
become established in a certain neigh
borhood, they visit it year after year, so
strong III their attachment to past
scenes and associations. Repeated de-
secrations of their homes do not avail
to drive them away; for nothing short
of the destruction of both birds them
selves can accomplish this object.
The nest being completed, the female
at once commences to deposit her oom-
plement of eggs. These, to the number
of six, are laid In as many consecutive
days. Incubation is now in order.
Upon her devolves this trying apparent
ly arduous duty, which she accomplish
es in little more than fourteen days.
While thus occupied, the male is watch
full and considerable, and, like a faithful
and loving husband, attends to her
every want. Her leisure moments are
spent in digging holes by the
side of the nest, but. whether for
amusement or occupation, we cannot
say. But as these burrows. which
sometimes attain considerable size, are
abandoned as soon as they are
constructed, we are inclined to believe
that they are built for one or the other
purpose, or, possibly, both.
When the young are first Matched
they are fed upon the macerated food
of their parents for a period of a week
or ten days. AT the age of fifteen days
they are able to leave the nest, but
usually remain a brief period longer,
before they are fitted to car for them
They do not, however, forsake
the spot of their nativity, but linger
about until the close of October or late
in November, when they retire with
their parents to other scenes.