46 BIRDS OF THE ^VATER 



these poor reptiles held always by the 

 scrulf of the neck — if scientifically lizards 

 have necks — and with their toes — if they 

 are toes — clearly defined against the light. 

 They were very, very limp, too, for it is 

 Kingfisher fashion to beat and batter his 

 prey before presentation to the nestlings. 



The Kingfisher's vocabnlary does not 

 seem to be volmninous — a jarring screech, 

 not translatable into hmnan spelling, al- 

 ways greeted my appearance from the 

 tepee, and well expressed terror and rage. 

 Cli-cli-cli, several times repeated, signified 

 ''safe now," and always inmiediately after 

 this note one of the parents would light 

 on the knot, momentarily pause, and then, 

 with a cjuick little run, enter the hole with 

 supplies for the hungry garrison. 



Then there was the low note of warning 

 already mentioned, and another cry similar 

 to that of rage, only lower in pitch and 

 less harsh. It expressed caution, "All 

 right I think," from the male perched high 

 on the broken cabbage tree; ''All right? 

 All right r' from the hen to encourage her- 

 self. Then the male would call again, 



