KINGFISHERS 161 



roots of trees descend over the surface and provide 

 convenient perches. During the breeding season 

 they are very ill-tempered, and make furious and 

 unprovoked assaults on passing crows and kites, 

 and, indeed, on any birds, however inoffensive, 

 who may happen to approach their domain more 

 closely than they like. 



Much of their time is taken up with the pursuit 

 of insects quite away from any ponds or other bodies 

 of water. While so occupied they usually take up 

 a position on a low bough overlooking an open 

 grassy space, and at intervals make sudden descents 

 to secure their prey ; but occasionally they will hawk 

 around for a time on the wing, and sometimes, 

 though rarely, really hover. They treat their 

 victims just as the little kingfishers do, taking them 

 to places where they can be readily hammered about 

 and softened before being swallowed. When their 

 booty is a fish, it seems usually to be more or less 

 disabled in the process of capture, the dorsal muscles 

 being often ruptured right down to the spinal column, 

 and, in any case, so much injured as to interfere with 

 efficient co-ordinate action (Plate X.). 



As cage-birds, these two common kingfishers 

 differ from one another very much as the two 

 common barbets do. The little Alcedo rarely 

 accommodates itself to captivity, but the Halcyon 

 does so readily ; and, although never becoming really 

 tame, will continue in full health for a long time, 



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