AN EXCURSION. 



ance of such a common bird as the kingfisher had 

 arnus ed him vastly, but like the good boy that he was, 

 he volunteered to tell us all about the bird. 



OARSMAN'S STORY OF KINGFISHERS. 



You must all know that riversides are favorite resorts 

 of various kinds of birds and beasts* Then, there are 

 others which though not living close by, habitually come 

 to the bank at least once a day for a drink. I remember 

 having once seen within twenty-four hours thirty-five 

 different kinds of animals, including a tiger and a huge 

 rhinoceros, This happened while we were pulling up a 

 stream in the Sunderbuns. That, however, is another 

 story* Let me tell you about the kingfishers that I have 

 seen. There are several species of kingfishers*, but my 

 favorite among them is the Gureal. It is a very handsome 

 bird with large stout bill of a bloodred colour. It is found 

 along rivers and streams, but I have never seen it where 

 there are no trees with dense foliage to hide it. It sits on 

 a branch overhanging the water and watches for its food 

 as you have just seen that one do. I dare say you 

 have heard its peculiar call, a sort of peer peer pur ut- 

 tered several times in succession. It is a powerful bird^ 

 I assure you, and quite a match for a hawk or a bird of 

 that kind. I have heard that it breeds in hollow trees, 

 but I don't know much about that. I have, however, 

 once seen a nestling removed from the. mud wall of a 

 deserted shed. Ry the bye, some of you ought to find 

 out whether they do breed in hollow trees or not. It 



