XIV 



KINGFISHER 



[URING the hot, sultry days of July, when nearly all 

 our summer singers are silent, it is a great treat to 

 turn from the woods and meadows and wander 

 along the stream-side. On the majority of sluggish 

 rivers in the southern and midland counties we 

 shall be able to see the Kingfisher, and especially so at this time 

 of the year, for the young being now able to look after themselves, 

 are driven away from their old haunts by their parents, and are 

 bound to find fresh hunting-grounds. 



It is these young birds which offer such opportunities to the 

 observer, for, if we only take the trouble to find out one of their 

 fishing-stations, we shall see one 'of the most interesting pictures 

 it is possible to see behind Nature's veil. These birds have certain 

 perches or stations from which they fish, and these they occupy 

 with great regularity day after day. 



Let us first of all discover one of these spots, then find out 

 the time that the bird is at home, and make a point of getting 

 there before the fisher. There is really not the slightest need to 

 hide, for if we keep perfectly still the birds will take very little 

 notice. We shall find that the Kingfisher will arrive almost 

 exactly to time, settle comfortably on his perch, gaze contentedly 

 around, and perhaps preen his gay plumage. Then suddenly he 

 leaves his perch, flies two or three yards up or down stream, 



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