WRYNECK. 109 



in the trunk of an old wild-apple-tree. This goes to 

 show that the Wryneck might again become abundant 

 as a breeder, but in most localities it has for many years 

 been represented only by an odd specimen here and 

 there, shot or picked up dead. 



FAMILY ALCEDINID.E.— GENUS ALCEDO. 



KINGFISHEE. 



Alcedo ispida, Linnaeus. 



A resident species, and — in spite of the incessant 

 pursuit which its beautiful plumage entails upon it — still 

 numerous on all the more secluded streams. A few 

 years ago, owing to the prevailing fashion, this pursuit 

 became so severe, at least in my own district of Clitheroe, 

 as almost to endanger its existence ; but a rapid recovery 

 has taken place, and in 1883 there were nine pairs of 

 birds within a very small area. The large number of 

 eggs (six or seven) which the Kingfisher lays, is in its 

 favour, for the successful bringing up of a single nest 

 forms a considerable nucleus for next year's propagation. 

 In tlie south of the county it is oftener seen in winter 

 than at any other time, and the increase of population 

 has driven it from many formerly favourite localities 

 near Liverpool and Manchester. Mr. Clayton Chorlton 

 writes in the Manchester City Xeirs of 1882, that four or 

 live years before, the straightening and levelling of the 

 banks of a smaU brook destroyed the last refuge of the 

 Kingfisher in "VVithington, and it is now seldom seen on, 

 at least, the lower reaches of the Irwell and its tribu- 

 taries. On the higher ones, however, a few pairs still 

 remain, and going north it is found breeding in more or 



