28 COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 



KINGFISHER. (R. Kingfishers.) 



Size. Sparrow, large. 



Colour. The most brilliantly-coloured of all oui 

 British birds. Crown of head greenish-blue, back a 

 beautiful cobalt-blue. Wings greenish-blue. From 

 bill to ear-coverts a broad streak of reddish-orange, 

 on sides of neck a patch of buff -white, and a streak of 

 bright blue from gape of bill below the orange. Throat 

 buff-white, under parts rich reddish-orange. Male and 

 female practically alike. 



Note. A shrill ' h'wee, h'wee,' generally uttered when 

 flying. 



Distinguishing Feature. The brilliant blue of the 

 Kingfisher's back, when seen like a streak as it flits down 

 a stream or across a lake with swift straight flight, at once 

 points out the bird ; and when seen sitting on a stump or 

 other place of vantage over a stream watching for small 

 fish, the long sharp beak and short tail serve as a guide. 



Nest. In a hole in a bank. The ' nest ' is composed 

 of fish-bones disgorged by the old bird*. 



Eggs. Pure glossy white. 



Haunts. Streams and lakes. 



LAPWING. (R. Plovers and Snipei.) 



Size. Pigeon. 



Colour. Above dark green. Head black, with crest 

 of long narrow feathers. Cheeks, side of throat, and 

 under parts white, chin and large patch on throat 

 black ; upper and under tail-coverts light chestnut ; 

 tail black and white. 



Note. ' Pee wit, pee wheet, wheet, whit,' heard 

 especially in the spring. 



Distinguishing Feature. The note as above. During 

 autumn and winter it is seen in large flocks, which go 

 through remarkable evolutions in the air, wheeling and 

 turning as though by the word of command. Appears 

 as though black and white when flying. A ground bird, 

 never perches on trees. 



Nest. Just a hollow, with a few dry straws in it. 



Eggs. Olive-brown with black blotches and spots. 

 Difficult to find, as they match their surroundings so 

 closely. 



Haunts. Open fields, especially where there is marshy 

 ground. During a hard frost Lapwings retire to the 

 seaside. 



