SONGLESS BIRDS. Kingfisher 



The Kingfisher seizes his prey by diving, and if it is 

 small and pliable swallows it at once, but if it consists of the 

 larger and more spiney fish they are beaten to pulp against 

 a branch before they are swallowed, and even then the 

 struggles and contortions the bird goes through before 

 finally mastering the fish, would be very ludicrous were 

 they not so evidently distressing. 



The term halcyon days (days of fair weather) is derived 

 from this bird's Latin name. The Kingfisher was once 

 supposed to biiild his nest on a little raft and float out to 

 sea with it, having the power of averting storms during the 

 period of incubation. The modern Kingfisher is too wise to 

 try any such experiment; he well knows that no one can 

 fathom our climate or restrain Apollos from watering at 

 unseemly times, so he digs deep into a bank, road cut, or 

 quarry and the precious eggs are laid many feet from the 

 outer air. 



What a racket the old birds make in the breeding-season ! 

 There may be loving, harmonious Kingfisher households, 

 but if so these sounds belie them. But who can say how- 

 ever : the seemingly angry shrieks of both parents may be 

 " Rock-a-Bye, Baby," arranged by a Kingfisher Wagner as a 

 duet! 



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