KINGFISHER. 285 



The brilliance of its plumage and the selfishness of anglers, 

 who cannot brook competitors at their sport, explain why the 

 Kingfisher is often slain, yet in spite of constant persecution it 

 is abundant in some districts, and even visits polluted streams 

 near towns. It is better known from its stuffed effigy under a 

 glass-shade than as a living bird, for it is shy and rapid in its 

 movements ; a streak of blue as the bird vanishes round a 

 bend is all that is often visible. , When perched, facing the 

 observer, its ruddy breast alone is seen, but if it turns or 

 flies the prismatic colour of the upper parts is either blue or 

 green according to the angle of incidence of the rays of light. 

 The haunts of the bird are the waterside, since it feeds entirely 

 upon aquatic animals, but it is as frequent beside lake, pond, 

 canal or fenland dyke, as by the rapid trout-stream. In 

 winter, especially when inland waters are ice-bound, it frequents 

 tidal marshes and the shore, taking its stand on the mussel or 

 limpet cov-ered rocks and diving into the shallow gutters and 

 pools. Fish it certainly captures, but aquatic insects and 

 crustaceans, the latter either fresh- water or marine, are freely 

 eaten. Though taking toll of small trout, it is useful 

 on a trout-stream, for it eats numerous fresh-water shrimps 

 {Gam7narus) which are destructive to ova. 



The flight of the Kingfisher is exceedingly rapid, the short 

 rounded wings whirring until they appear a mere blurr ; it 

 usually flies near the water, but during courtship the male 

 chases the female through and over the trees with loud shrill 

 whistles. From February onwards the male has a sweet 

 trilling song, a modulated repetition of many whistles. He 

 also signals with a whistle to the female when he is feeding her, 

 his share of nesting duties ; this whistle is produced when his 

 bill is loaded with food, yet is clear and distinct. The female 

 will reply and emerge from the nesting hole ; I have seen her 

 fly to met him, take the fish from him in the air, and return at 

 once to the nest. The bird has regular perches or stands from 



