lO 



On another occasion, walking on the banks 

 of the same stream, about a mile from the above- 

 mentioned spot, what is it I can see on the large 

 root of an ash tree, growing on the banks ? (The 

 floods and storms have washed the bank away, 

 leaving tlie root exposed some distance from the 

 bank). What is it that I see? Five little inanimate 

 emerald balls of fluffy feathers, some with their heads 

 pulled well down between their shoulders, as it were, 

 some with their bills turned under their wings. Five 

 young Kingfishers, not long out of the nest, waiting to 

 be fed, having a nap. As the bank slopes, I lay 

 myself down so that can I see the root, for there is no 

 friendly bush to form a point of 'vantage for observa- 

 tion. This time I have to be cautious, and I have not 

 long to wait before I hear " Chee, rhee, chee," coming 

 down the stream : the five little inanimate balls of 

 emerald fluJBf hear it also— they are all alive now, 

 looking round and uttering their nest call, a note like 

 pronouncing the syllable, " Zip, zip, zip," in a 

 hoarse guttural tone. They are all life and activity 

 now, mouths wide open and wings shaking. Only 

 one is fed, but a moment or two later the other 

 parent arrives, and another is fed. Down goes the 

 fish with a gulp. In the course of about half-an- 

 hour two more are fed. I raise my head and cough. 

 I am detected, and away the lot goes up stream, both 

 the parents and little ones being soon lost to sight. 

 This spot would be about five or six hundred yards 

 from the nesting place. 



There are some of the many peeps of nature that 

 it has been my delight and privilege to witness, all 

 through being a country bumpkin, fond of rambling in 

 woodland and moorland, and by streams. 

 (To be contimied) . 



