1921.] Economic Status of the Kingfisher. 



145 



Unfortunately, I have not been able to obtain any birds 

 feeding on river estuaries or near to the coast. 



Analysis shows that of the total bulk of food consumed, 

 fish of various kinds forms the major portion, viz., 63-5 per 

 cent. ; injurious insects, either adult or in their larval con- 

 dition, form the next largest item, viz., 16-5 per cent., 

 neutral insects constitute 6*0 per cent., molluscs 4*0 per 

 * cent., tadpoles and Crustacea each 3*5 per cent., Avorms 

 1'5 per cent., and miscellaneous animal matter 1'5 per cent. 



Only two items call for s[)ecial remark, viz., the fish and 

 the injurious insects. 



A reference to Table II. showing the monthly percentages 

 shows that fish-remains were present in the stomachs 

 collected in every month ; the highest pei'centage was taken 



Table II. — Showing the monthly percentages of the food items of the 



adult Kiniifisher. 



irj November and January, 80"5 per cent, in each month, 

 and the lowest percentage in April, 41 "5 per cent. It is 

 significant that in the months when there are no fry or ova 

 about, the percentage stands the highest ; thus we have 

 75'0 per cent, in February, 67*0 per cent, in October, G3'0 

 per cent, in March, 595 per cent, in September, and 54"5 

 per cent, in August. 



SEK. XI. VOL. III. L 



