86 Trout Culture. 



is, he must be kept in check, or fish culture 

 must be given up. 



Having severely suffered from the visits of 

 these birds, the writer ventures to caution the 

 reader against any false security on this point. 

 The bird may never be seen, but if the fish are 

 wild and scurry about when approached, the 

 odds are that the pest has been at work. 



On one occasion a number of fry contained 

 in a box were found to be very wild, and, on 

 a search being made, a small hole in the wire 

 netting was discovered, about two inches by 

 one in size : as it was deemed impossible for a 

 kingfisher to enter by it, no steps were taken till, 

 on going to feed them one evening, an unusual 

 sound was heard, and, on looking in, the creature 

 was seen fluttering against the screen. Two 

 sticks were procured, and the bird was even- 

 tually disabled, and killed by well-directed 

 blows as it flew from end to end of the box. 

 As a curiosity and a remarkably fine example 



