Pea 
of its roots; but at the back, over the stream, the earth is bare, and here there are many 
holes. At one of these, early in April, 1894, Kingfishers were feeding well-grown young 
birds; later on, in the middle of May, Kingfishers were still haunting the willow, and amongst 
the grass on the front side a little opening was found, where the soil had fallen out of a 
chink between two strong roots. Behind these was the nest, in which about seven eggs could 
be seen, and one was taken out with a twig, for the nest could not be reached through the 
chink with a finger, and the proper entrance was a hole some feet away on the other side. 
It was some time before I saw the nest again that season, but the place was not disturbed, 
and from what I did see afterwards this second brood also was apparently reared successfully. 
When the young birds are old enough they seem to creep to the mouth of the hole and take 
the little fish from the old bird, who clings on outside. The eggs in the instance given 
were surrounded as usual with the débris of small fish, which had accumulated during 
this or previous nestings. 
The Kingfisher generally watches for its food sitting motionless upon a branch over- 
hanging the water, but some authors say that it also at times hovers on the wing, like a 
kestrel, looking for its prey. The Kingfisher darts down upon its prey with great speed, and, 
when it comes out of the water with a little fish, flies off with it toa branch or stump, and, 
before swallowing, kills it with a few blows against the wood. The dart of the Kingfisher 
into the water is not a flight down, but a dive: a header taken with great force and closed 
wings. 
The note of the Kingfisher is compared by many writers to the piping of the common 
sandpiper. When disturbed it is very shrill indeed, and plaintive, as if the bird were 
complaining. Indeed, the constant persecution for the sake of its beauty gives sad enough 
reason for complaint, and we owe the preservation of the species partly, perhaps, to the 
swiftness of its flight, but mostly to its extreme wariness and unobtrusive habits. It is a 
very shy bird, and prefers solitude, as if, being so brilliant, its only chance of escaping notice 
was to be quiet and alone. So shy is it that often enough it flies long before it is seen, and 
the only sign one has of its presence is the shrill plaintive piping as it flies rapidly away. 
The late Lord Lilford says, however, that where it is not persecuted it rewards mankind by 
becoming “ very fearless and even familiar,” and that once a Kingfisher settled on a fisbing 
rod which was resting over the side of a punt in which he was at luncheon. 
_ Educational Series.—No. 1.—OWLS. No. 2,—WOODPECKERS. No. 3.—STARLING. No. 4.— 
SWALLOWS. No. 5._KINGFISHER. No.6.—OSPREY. No. 7.—DIPPERS. No. 8.—NIGHTJAR. 
No. 9.—TITMICE. No. 10.—KESTREL. No. 11.—PLOVERS. 
Others in course of preparation. 
Copies of the above may be obtained from the Society’s Publishing Department, Knowledge Office, 
326, High Holborn, W.C., or from the Hon. Sec., Mrs. F. E. Lemon, Hillcrest, Redhill, on the following 
terms :—Post free: three copies of any one number of the Series, 1d.; one dozen, 3d.; 100, Is. 6d. 
Assorted packets, one copy of any six numbers, 2d.; one copy of any twelve, or two copies of any six 
numbers, 4d; or 50 assorted numbers, Is. Special terms for larger quantities, and to County Councils, the 
Constabulary, and Schoo!s. 
The Society’s Publishing Office, Knowledge, 326, High Holborn, London, W.C. 1896. 
