BY THE MILL-STREAM. 147 



home, smallish mesh to it. Off I starts to get it. 

 When I got back that kingfisher, or one like him, 

 flew by with another trout. So I just cut some pegs 

 and fixed the netting over the spring, close to the 

 water. Then I hid up. Back comes Mister King- 

 fisher, perches on the same twig, and down he goes, 

 bang. He got more than he reckoned for. After 

 hooking him off with a stick I came away. In the 

 evening there was another, that one you looked at 

 just now, makes five that have gone wrong. I've 

 heard gents talk before to-day about the balance of 

 nature, and all that ; but when such customers as 

 they kingfishers are likely to get you in a bother if 

 you don't stop 'em, the only thing you can do is 

 to upset the balance of nature, same as I have. 

 Kingfishers look well in a case, when they are 

 stuffed, mind you ; but to be where young trout are 

 they're not up to much, I can tell you. You can't 

 blame them because they're fond of trout, it's their 

 nature to be, and you'll find the only way to get 

 natur' out of anything is to knock it out, same as I 

 have out o' them. I believe all creeturs are made 

 for some purpose or other, or else they wouldn't be 

 about, mind you. These things pop in my head 



