126 



THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



it to death between his powerful mandibles, and then swallows 

 it whole, most likely head first. 



The European kingfisher eats nothing but fish. It is their 

 proficiency in this direction that has earned for the members of 



Kingflsbers : male and female. 



iSharpe.) 



the family the title of "kingfisher," to which they have good 

 claims. But the New Zealander does not live by fish alone. He- 

 has an insatiable appetite, and will eat mice, bees, beetles and 

 other insects, Crustacea, and even young birds and chickens. 

 The omnivorous little rascal was accused, some years ago, of 



