Teacher's Leaflet. 



751 



THE KINGFISHER. 



This bird is common everywhere in New 

 Yorlc State frequenting the banks of creeks 

 and the sliores of ponds and lakes ; in fact, 

 it is found near any water in which small 

 fish are abundant. It has many interesting 

 ways and well repays careful study. 



The Belted Kingfisher. 



Lesson VIL 



HOW TO recognize A KINGFISHER. 



Purpose. — To study carefully the appearance of the kingfisher. 



Observations for the Pupils. — (i). Which is the larger, the kingfisher 

 or the robin? 



(2). Describe the diiTerence in shape between these two birds. 



(3). What is the shape of the kingfisher's beak? 



(4). What is the shape of its head? 



(5). Do you know the peculiarities of its legs and toes, and how do 

 they differ from those of other birds? 



(6). What are the colors of 



(a) The back and breast and under side? 



(b) Wing feathers? 



(c) Tail feathers? 



(d) Collar and throat? 



(e) Is there a white spot near the eye? If so, where? 



(f) Is there any difference in color between the father and 



mother kingfisher? 



Facts for the Teacher. — The kingfisher is larger than the robin and looks very 

 different because the head and fore parts of the body seem so much larger. This 

 appearance is emphasized by the long feathers of the head, which are lifted into 

 a crest, and by the fact that the tail is short. The beak is very long and strong, 

 the legs are short and weak and the third and fourth toes are grown together for 

 part of their length. The upper parts are grayish-blue, the throat and collar are 

 white, as is also the breast which has a bluish-gray band across the upper part. 

 The feathers of the wings are tipped with white and the tail feathers narrowly 

 barred with white. The underside is white in the males, while the female has sides 

 and band across the lower side chestnut in color. 



* Vermont Station Report. 1895, Pages 203-236. . 



