270 THE KINGFISHER. 



in the bank of that stream near Coveyheugh House, in 

 April 1878, Mr. Mitchell-Innes of Ayton has informed me 

 that he often notices the Kingfisher on the Eye, between 

 Ayton Castle and Millbank. It appears to be scarce on the 

 Dye in the neighbourhood of Longformacus, according to 

 Colonel Brown ; and the Eev. George Cook tells me that he 

 has seen it only twice on that stream within the last 

 fifteen years, both instances being at the junction of the 

 Dye with the Watch. It seems to visit the Blackadder in 

 the neighbourhood of Greenlaw very seldom.^ The lake at 

 Mellerstain appears to be rather a favourite haunt ; ^ and 

 the bird has been twice noticed on the sea- coast near 

 Burnmouth within the last few years.'^ 



In some seasons a scarcity of this species has been 

 observed on our rivers and streams, the cause of which is 

 not known ; but it is conjectured that it may be owing to 

 sudden floods drowning the birds in their nests, or a severe 

 winter, when the streams are all frozen over, forcing many 

 of them to leave the district. 



The food of the Kingfisher consists of small fish, such 

 as minnows, and of aquatic insects. While watching for 

 its prey, it sits on an overhanging branch, or on a rock or 

 stone, whence it drops perpendicularly into the water, and, 

 after remaining underneath for a few seconds, rises with 

 its prey in its bill to its usual perch. Here, it kills the 

 prey, if a fish, by striking it against the bough or rock, 

 preparatory to swallowing it. It sometimes poises itself in 

 the air like a kestrel for a few seconds, before making the 

 descent into the water. 



^ Mr. Robert Renton, Greenlaw. 



2 Mr. James M'Pherson, gamekeeper, Mellerstain. 



' Mr. Crockett, salmon-fisher, Burnmouth. 



