KINGFISHERS. 



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seen perched solitarily upon a branch that overhangs the stream, 

 or flying near the surface of the water in quest of their prey, 

 which consists principally of fish. They may sometimes be ob- 

 served fluttering over the stream, and then suddenly precipitating 

 themselves upon some poor minnow that happens to come into 

 their vicinity. 



The type of this sub-family is 



The Common Kingfisher {Alcedo Ispida), the only European repre- 

 sentative of the group. It is one of the most beautiful of our British birds, 

 and its appearance as it dashes along in the sunshine is extremely brilliant. 



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The Common Kingfishes {Alcedo Ispida). 



It is an inhabitant of all parts of Europe except the extreme north, and is 

 also widely spread over Asia and Africa. This species is always found in the 

 vicinity of water, over which it may be seen shooting along like a little meteor. 

 Its food consists not only of small fishes, but also of aquatic insects and leeches. 

 The appetite of the kingfisher is voracious, and his manners shy and re- 

 tiring : dwelling near lonely and sequestered brooks and rivers, he sits for 

 hours together, motionless and solitary, on some bough overhanging the 

 stream, patiently watching the movements of the small fishes which consti- 

 tute his food, waiting for a favourable moment to dart with the velocity of an 

 arrow on the first that comes near enough to the surface, and seldom failing 

 in his aim. He then returns to his former station on some large stone or 



