AIs'D NEIGHBOURHOOD. 



257 



company, except in the early summer, when we 

 occasionally come upon a family-party. 



In common with most of our birds, this species, if 

 not persecuted and taught by experience to avoid the 

 sight of man, will become very fearless and even 

 familiar. We have often watched their method of 

 fishing from a few yards' distance, whilst sitting 

 quietly but quite unconcealed in our boat, and on 



one occasion a Kingfisher 



settled on a fishing-rod 



Kingflslier. 



which was rested over the side of a punt in which we 

 were at luncheon. The cry of this bird is an oft- 

 repeated shrill scream, by no means musical, but to 

 our own ears full of pleasant memories and associa- 

 tions. During severe weather, when our waters are 

 frozen, most of our Kingfishers leave us for the sea- 



