3846 GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS 
“The skill with which they met this emergency was 
of unusual interest, showing again the ingenuity and 
general intelligence which so often surprises us in the 
study of birds. Their home was kept perfectly clean 
by its constant care-taker. One of the full-grown birds, 
with every feather, as far as I could see, entirely de- 
veloped, sat just long enough for me to photograph 
him, and then flew from the branch where I had placed 
him, down the stream, and out of sight, loudly chatter- 
ing like an old bird. One more bird performed the same 
feat, but before I was able to get him on my plate. The 
rest I left in the nest, and no doubt they were all in the 
open air that warm, sunny day, before nightfall. 
* * * * * * * 
“Tt happens that but few of us may look into a King- 
fisher’s home as Mr. Baily did, but it is very pleasant 
to know where this dashing bird goes when, on securing 
a fish, instead of swallowing it, he seems to dive, drop 
into the water,and disappear, when in reality he is taking 
his prey home to the nest. 
‘““‘We must be content to enjoy the Kingfisher as a 
feature in the landscape, as the centre of a picture of 
woods, pond, or river, to which he gives the needful 
touch of life. The river scenery of March is lifeless and 
dreary, for, if the snow has melted and the ice broken 
up, the bushes alongshore are beaten down by the storms 
of winter or partly submerged by the spring freshets. 
Here and there, in sunny spots on the low shore, we may 
see the purple-pointed hood and bright green leaves of 
the skunk-cabbage, but if a Kingfisher is perching on 
