KINGFISHER. 97 



boy is not afraid of the loud hissing noise it sets up, and the 

 wonderful way it has of roUing its head as if to imitate a snake. 

 It has been called the " Snake Bird " for this reason. 



Mr. Ley has known as many as forty eggs taken one by one 

 from a single nest of the Wryneck. 



Sub-order— ANISODACTYL^. 



Family— ALCEDINID^. 



Genus— ALCEDO. 



ALCEDO ISPIDA— Kingfisher. 



And the Halcyon was there in her borldice of blue. 



— The Peacock at Home. 



Why dost thou hide thy beauty from the sun ? 

 "The eye of man, but not of heaven I shun." 



Montgomery— 5i>c?s. 



This beautiful bird is by no means uncommon in Herefordshire. 

 It is to be found on all the large streams of the county, and in many 

 of the small tributary brooks. Its brilliant plumage is a dangerous 

 attraction, and creates for it many enemies. It is shot to be stuffed 

 and put in a glass case; to make ornaments for ladies' hats or 

 muffs (as the ridiculous fashion now goes) ; to afford feathers for 

 artificial fly makers ; to be used as a charm for good luck ; as a 

 safeguard against thunder ; or even to show which way the wind 

 blows. The gamekeeper and water bailiff must also be regarded as 

 great enemies to the Kingfisher, in the belief that it lives on young 

 trout and lastspring. 



The shy, sohtary habits of the Kingfisher, and its quick, rapid 

 flight often save it from destruction ; and the license now necessary 

 for carrying a gun also affords it an additional protection. 



H 



