THE KINGFISHER r>7 



the urst, they are dependent upon their parent*, but M soon as they 

 are capable of foraging for themselves they are driven away. 



\ltlimi;_'li tli- kinjjMirr i>> ;i ividriit Imd. inii:i-;inl^ s.-rm to 

 reach our coasts from the Continent in the autumn, and such wan- 

 derers are occasionally taken at the lightships and lighthouses along 

 our southern and n-i. rn seaboard. During hard weather, as we 

 have already remarked, an internal migration takes place, inland 

 birds making for the coast for the sake of the open water and small 

 fish left in rock-pools at low tide. Many, however, perish in the 

 neighbourhood of their normal haunts, freezing to death on their 

 perches. 



Of the courting habits of these birds nothing seems to be known, 

 save that during this season the males, pugnacious at all times, now 

 become excessively so. Nor can we surmise as to their actions at 

 this time from what takes place among other species at this period. 

 They seem, however, to display great solicitude for their young. The 

 belted kingfisher, which is regarded by some as entitled to rank as 

 a British bird, is'said to be devotedly attached to its young. The 

 female, feigning injury, will drop onto the water, and, fluttering along 

 the surface, will endeavour to lure away intending marauders, while 

 the male, with erected crest, flies to and fro with uugry cries. So far, 

 no similar habits have been recorded of our kingfisher under like 

 conditions, but it is certain that so soon as the young have grown big 

 enough to fend for themselves they are driven away by their parents. 



The kingfisher of the fabulist and the poet bears no relation to 

 the living bird ; that is to say, unlike so many other birds which have 

 been immortalised in literature, nothing in the least reflecting its 

 habits has been set down. The pretty story of the " halcyon days " 

 does not seem to have been inspired by any incident or phase in the 

 life-history of the living bird, nor does the profound and widespread 

 belief that its dead body, suspended by a thread, will serve to show 

 from what quarter the wind blows, rest on any better foundation. 



