BIRDS OF KANSAS 



15 



capture, a mile distant, on a stick to which they held by 

 their claws. They would eat bits of meat and live mice 

 with the greatest relish. When a dog or cat came too 

 near, an encounter of claws and fur was sure to result. 

 A curious habit with them was that of placing themselves 

 upon their backs when they were suddenly attacked, and 

 fighting with feet uppermost. It was a sad day for the 

 dog who got his nose too near their unerring talons. 



At another time a nest containing young, high up on an 

 overhanging limb of a cotton wood tree, was approached. 

 The parent bird promptly came upon the scene and re- 

 fused to leave, although not actually attacking the 

 intruder. They were, to say the least, exceedingly tame. 



There is another fisherman better known to us than the 

 Osprey. He justly deserves the name he bears King- 

 fisher. He flies up and down our larger creeks and rivers, 

 sure to know where fish may be taken in season and out. 

 His legs are very short and 

 hardly used for walking. The 

 outer and inner toes are grown 

 together, making a flat sole upon 

 which he can comfortably sit 

 on the limb of a tree overhang- 

 ing a stream, watching, waiting. 

 ( See cut No. 5. ) He spies a fish 

 below him. Down he goes with 

 a harsh sound, a hungry chuckle, and with his long sharp 

 bill catches his victim, even plunging into the water after 

 it. If the fish is small, he swallows it at once. If too 

 large for this, he carries it away to his favorite perch and 

 beats it soft against a limb. 



In this, type it is the beak that is especially adapted for 

 fishing, and not the claws. He cannot tear the fish to 

 pieces, as does the Hawk, for his bill is straight and 



