BELTED KINGFISHER. 83 



The first was only wounded, and falling into the 

 water swam out sea-ward, striking out boldly, the 

 wings, however, partially opened. On being seized 

 he proved very fierce, erecting the long crest, and 

 endeavouring to strike with his pointed beak. He 

 got hold of my thumb, and squeezed so powerfully, 

 that the cutting edge of the upper mandible sliced a 

 piece of flesh clean out. He was tenacious of life, 

 for though I pressed the trachea until motion ceased, 

 he repeatedly revived. 



The form of the body of this bird, in conjunction 

 with the head and beak, is wedge-shaped, the tip of 

 the latter being the point. This form is admirably 

 suited for its sudden and impetuous plunges upon its 

 fishy prey ; as the powerful texture, great size, sharp 

 point, and cutting edges of the beak, are for holding 

 it. The feathers of the throat and breast are of 

 the closest texture, and lie on each other like 

 scales, preventing the access of any water to the 

 body, while, from their glossy, satiny surface, the 

 water is thrown ofi" instantly on emersion, as from 

 the plumage of a duck. The feet again, though 

 small, are muscular, the tarsus very short, the toes 

 united into a broad, flat palm, and the claws unusual- 

 ly strong, short, and sharp. When one remembers 

 that the Kingfisher digs his own cave out of the 

 clayey or gravelly cliffs to the depth of several 

 feet, we shall see the use of his strong and broad 

 feet, as we may see it also in the Mole. Beautiful 

 proofs of our God's consummate wisdom in forming 

 his creatures ! 



