Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/63

50 are laid, and the young do not leave the hole till able to fly, after which they sit on a branch for a few days, and are fed by the parents.

The Kingfisher is partially migratory in this country; and, though some remain with us through the winter, they retire at that time from the rivers and pools, to the estuaries and creeks of the southern coast, where they can still obtain their prey.

Fabulous stories of great antiquity are current concerning this bird; and in country places, even in this country, it is still the object of silly superstitions, which are not worth refuting.

We trace, in the lengthened form of the beak in this Family, an approach to the succeeding Tribe of Passerine birds; while yet many of the species have this character modified so as to resemble more the Fissirostral type. The outer pair of toes are united as in the Todies and Kingfishers. The beak is long, slender, tapering, and slightly curved; the wings are long and pointed; the first quill, for the most part, being nearly or quite as long as any other.

The Bee-eaters are generally of a green colour, varied with blue. They associate in flocks, which in their rapid flight, their evolutions, and their long wings and tails, much resemble Swallows, They feed on large insects, which they capture and eat during flight; and are confined to the continents and islands of the eastern hemisphere.