54 



THE FOOD OF ANIMALS 



their legs are set on too far back to be efficient except as pro- 

 pulsive organs in the water. The case is quite parallel with that 

 of Seals among the Mammalia. 



A,piong the numerous enemies of fresh-water fish one of the 

 most attractive is the Kingfisher (Halcyon), not infrequent in the 

 southern parts of Britain, and distinguished by its extremely 

 brilliant plumage. The Kingfisher plays a pre-eminently waiting 

 game, remaining motionless on some convenient bough till a 



Fig. 345. i, Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator). 2, Bla 



tbus arcticns 



suitable quarry makes its appearance in the water below, when 

 with a sudden and exceedingly rapid dart it more often than not 

 has an opportunity of making use of its long and powerful bill. 

 One of the most telling photographs in a recent book on birds 

 by Kearton ( With Nat^lre and a Camera] shows the Kingfisher 

 perched expectant on its bough, and this attitude is rendered 

 comparatively easy to maintain by the peculiar structure of the 

 foot, in which the toes are joined together in a remarkable manner 

 so as to afford an unusually firm support. 



We have seen that Cormorants sometimes, and Kingfishers 

 always, watch for prey from an elevated position. Many birds, 

 however, possess long legs, which enable them to dispense with 

 such a procedure, and also allow them actually to stand in the 

 water on the look-out for prey. Many wading forms are included 

 in this category, such, for example, as the Herons (see vol. i, 



