450 



IllE III-.I.TEI) KIXGFISIflEK. 



"'^•^^i'^ 



a KiiiglislitT wliioli. si>yiii{^ smnc niiiiiiows in a wcimIcii tut) nearly filled 

 with water, struck so eagerly that its bill penetrated the bottom of the 

 tub. and so thoroly that the bird was unable to extricate itself; and so 



lied — a death almost as 

 L;nominous as that of the 

 mg who was drowned in 

 butt of Malmsey wine. 

 When a fish is taken the 

 liird first thrashes it against 

 > perch to make sure it is 

 lead, and then swallows it 

 tad foremost. If the fish 

 - a large one its ca])tor 

 often fmds it necessary to go 

 thru the most ri<liculous 

 contortions, gas|)ings. writh- 

 ings, chokings. regurgita- 

 tions, and renewed attempts, 

 in order to encompass its 

 safe ilelivery within. 



Kingfishers have the repu- 

 tation of l^eing very inisocial 

 birds. .\part from their 

 I' A ^^^H family life, which is idyllic. 



jL •* ^L^^^^^H ''lis reputation is well sus- 



i ' fl^^^^^^l Good fishing is so 



^ - - — ^" •^^^^^^^ scarce that the birds deem 



it best to |K)rtion off the 

 territory with others of their 

 own kind, and they are very 

 punctilious about the observance of bomidaries and allotments. For the 

 rest, why should they hunt uj) avian companions, whose tastes arc not 

 educated to an appreciation of exposed, water-soaked stubs, and a comiuanding 

 view of river scenery? However, I did once see a Kingfisher affably hob- 

 nobbing with a Kingbird, on a barren branch which overlooked a crystal 

 stream in Idaho. I wonder if they recognized a mutual kingliness, this 

 humble fisherman and this petulant hawk-driver? 



Kingfisher courtship is a very noisy and spirited affair. One tloes not 

 know just how many miles up and down stre.im it is considered pro|)er for 

 the gallant to |)ursue his enamorata lie fore she yields a coy accejitance; and 

 it is difficult to ])crceive how the tender passion cm survi\e the din of the 



near I'l'tllanJ. Fliolo by A. II'. 



A FISHER PRINCi; AT IIO.ME. 



