WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 347 



will be found upon observation to leave it nearly 

 always in the same direction day after day. He is, 

 indeed, a bird with fixed habits, though apparently 

 wandering aimlessly along the streams. I soon found 

 it possible to predict beforehand in which haunt a 

 kingfisher would be discovered at any time. 



By noting the places frequented by these birds you 

 know where the shoals of small fish lie, and may 

 supply yourself with bait for larger fish. Often one of 

 those great hawthorn bushes that hang over a brook 

 is a favourite spot. The roots of trees and bushes 

 loosen the soil, and deeper holes are often found under 

 them than elsewhere, to which the fish resort. These 

 hawthorn bushes, though thick and impenetrable above, 

 are more open below just over the water ; and there 

 the kingfisher perches, and has also the advantage of 

 being completely hidden from observation : if he 

 only remained still in such places he would escape 

 notice altogether. When passing such a bush on the 

 qui vive for snipe, how many times have I seen a 

 brilliant streak of azure shoot out from the lower 

 branches and watched a kingfisher skim across the 

 meadow, rising with a piping whistle over the distant 

 hedge ! Near mill-ponds is a favourite place with 

 these birds. 



To that hatch which stands on the effluent brook not 

 far from the mere a coot or two comes now and then 

 at night or in the early morning. These birds, being 

 accused of devouring the young fry, are killed when- 

 ever they are met, and their eggs taken, in order to 



