140 



Dr. W. E. Collinge on the 



[Ibis, 



Some little time ago the writer was appealed to for some 

 definite information as to the precise nature of the food of 

 the Kingfisher. Unfortunately, as in the case of so many- 

 other British birds, no such information was available; the 

 present investigation was therefore undertaken. 



The results here set forth are based upon the examination 

 of 120 nest-contents, obtained from sixteen counties ; 

 53 pellets ; and the stomach-contents of 27 birds obtained 

 from eight counties during all the months of the year 

 excepting May, June, and December. Numerous field 

 observations have also been made. 



The method adopted throughout for estimating the food 

 percentages is that known as the volumetric one (3). 



Table I. — Showing number of adult Kingfishers and nest-contents 

 examined in this investigation, arranged to show locality 

 and month in which collected. 



The figures on the left denote the number of birds, and those on the right the 

 number of nest-contents. 



