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in 1897, and they were the first specimens the Zoological Gardens

ever had.


The London Zoological Gardens, however, purchased a

single specimen as long ago as 1SS4. Unfortunately a civet cat

killed the two birds at the Calcutta Zoo a few days after their

arrival.


Last summer, having obtained another White-breasted

Kingfisher, I determined to adopt a different method of feeding

it. Small pieces of raw lean meat were pushed down the bird’s

throat, until, in a day or two, it took the meat of its own accord.

This meat diet was varied with pieces of fish, the bird always

striking its food (as it would have done a live fish) upon its perch

three or four times before swallowing it. This was done with a

jerking movement of the whole body. Lizards, slumps and grass¬

hoppers are greedily accepted as dainty morsels by this bird.

Although I have had the bird about nine months, yet I have

never seen it drink. Its meat and fish are always placed in a jar

containing three or four inches of water, into which it plunges

its massive beak to take out its food. I might also add that the

bird sometimes immerses its beak in the water, instantly with¬

drawing it with a shake of the head, even when not feeding.


For some weeks the Kingfisher was kept in an aviary

containing a number of other birds, such as mini vets, white-bellied

drongos, black-headed orioles, golden-backed woodpeckers, &c.,

with all of which it agreed perfectly; but owing to the fact that

other birds used to eat any meat or fish scattered by the King¬

fisher, and as this upset their digestions, I had to remove the

latter bird to a separate cage.


It greets me with a faint cry accompanied by other signs

of pleasure when I offer it any food. It is tame enough to sit

upon my finger; but, in the presence of strangers at close quarters,

evinces a certain amount of fear. The bird’s plumage is perfect,

and quite as bright as that of a wild bird. Mr. F. Finn, B. A.,

A. Z. S., Deputy Superintendent of the Indian Museum, w’ho saw

the bird, said, “ It is a distinct triumph.” The bird is extremely

fond of bathing, as might be expected. When I think it requires

a bath, I stand the cage in a tub of water a foot deep, removing

the lower perch of the cage. It plunges in head first, sometimes

a dozen times in as many minutes. The ejection of pellets of

fish-bones and other indigestible matter is preceded by a few

minutes’ gaping and straining. The average weight of food eaten

in one day is if ounces, or equivalent to about 21 minnows.


Since the above has been published, the Kingfisher referred to has

been presented to the Zoological Gardens, Calcutta.—E.W.H.



