256 KINGFISHER.

season. At this period a pair take possession of a hole,
already formed by some burrowing animal, in the bank
by the water side, and often but little elevated above
the surface of the stream; sometimes the kingfisher will
take to a cavity among the exposed roots of an aged
tree on the river bank. They have been known to take
possession of a hole in a bank, frequented by sand martins
at a distance from water; and Mr. Jesse relates in his
“Gleanings,” that in the summer of 1834, one of the
workmen employed in the Gardens of Hampton Court
Palace, discovered a kingfisher’s nest in the bank of a
small gravel-pit in the wilderness of that place, and
within a short distance of the public footpath leading
through it, aud which is much frequented. There were
six eggs in the nest, which was composed as usual of
small fish bones, and was placed about two feet in the
bank. The small gravel-pit°was perfectly dry, and the
workmen were in the constant habit of throwing the sweep-
ings of the garden into it. The old birds shewed but little
fear of the workmen, and this led to the discovery of
the nest.”