The place chosen for the excavation is not always near water. In the spring of 1855 I found the nest of a Kingfisher in a bank by the side of the carriage path on Mount Washington, more than a mile from any water. It was a shallow excavation, made that season, and contained fresh eggs the latter part of May. The food of the pair was taken near the dam of a sawmill on Peabody River. In another instance a pair of Kingfishers made their abode in a sand-bank in the midst of the village of Hingham, within two rods of the main street, and within a few feet of a dwelling, and not in the near vicinity of water. Here the confidence they displayed was not misplaced. They were protected, and their singular habits carefully and curiously watched. During the day they were cautious, reticent, and rarely seen, but during the night they seemed to be passing back and forth continually, the return of each parent being announced by a loud rattling cry. Later in the season, when the young required constant attention, these nocturnal noises seemed nearly incessant, and became almost a nuisance to the family.
The Kingfisher, having once selected a situation for its nest, is very tenacious of it, and rarely forsakes it unless compelled to by too great annoyances. They will submit to be robbed time after time, and still return to the same spot and renew their attempts. They are devoted to their young, exhibit great solicitude if their safety is threatened, and will suffer themselves to be taken from their nest rather than leave it, and immediately return to it again.
Mr. Dall observed a male bird of this species digging other holes in the bank near his nest, apparently for amusement or occupation. They were never more than two feet in length and about eight inches in diameter. He seemed to abandon them as soon as made, though seen to retire into one to eat a fish he had captured.
The eggs are usually six, rarely seven, in number, and are of a beautifully clear crystal whiteness. They are very nearly spherical in shape, and measure 1.31 by 1.06 inches.
Ceryle americana, var. cabanisi, Tschudi.
TEXAS KINGFISHER; GREEN KINGFISHER.
Alcedo americana, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 451 (in part). Ceryle americana, Lawrence, Annals N. Y. Lyceum, V, 1851, 118 (first introduction into the fauna of United States).—Cassin, Illustrations, I, 1855, 255.—Brewer, N. Am. Oology, I, 1857, 3, pl. iv, f. 53 (egg).—Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 159, pl. xlv.—Ib. Mex. B. II; Birds 7, pl. vii.—Cooper, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 339. Alcedo viridis, Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. XIX, 1818, 413 (Cassin). Ceryle cabanisi, Reichenb. Handb. sp. Orn. I, 27.—Caban. Mus. Hein. II, 147. Alcedo cabanisi, Tschudi.
Sp. Char. Head slightly crested. Upper parts, together with a pectoral and abdominal band of blotches, glossy green, as also a line on each side the throat. Under parts generally, a collar on the back of the neck, and a double series of spots on the quills, white. Female with a broad band of chestnut across the breast. Young of both sexes similar to the adult, but white beneath tinged with buff, and marking on breast more obsolete. Length about 8.00; wing, 3.14.
Hab. Rio Grande region of Texas and southward. Localities: Honduras (Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, 358); Bogota (Scl. P. Z. S. 1853, 130); Cordova (Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, 286); Guatemala (Scl. Ibis, I, 131); Honduras (Ibis, II, 117); S. E. Texas (Dresser, Ibis, 1865, 472, breeds); Colorado River (Coues P. A. N. S. 1866, 59); Costa Rica (Lawr. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 118).
This species is much smaller than the Northern or Belted Kingfisher, and is easily distinguishable by the diagnostic marks already given. The sexes appear to differ, like those of C. alcyon, namely, the female being distinguished by a rufous pectoral band, which is wanting in the male.