62 KINGFISHER HOOPOE. 



Family ALCEDINIDJE 

 KINGFISHER (Alcedo ispida). 



Resident ; generally distributed in Great Britain, in suitable 

 localities ; rarer in the extreme North and in Ireland. 



Haunts. Eivers, lakes, reservoirs, and sheets of water. 



Plumage. Crown and nape bluish black, barred with emerald- 

 green and cobalt. Back, rump, and upper tail-coverts azure- 

 blue. Tail indigo-blue. Wings bluish green, spotted with 

 azure-blue. Lores and ear-coverts chestnut ; buffish white patch 

 at sides of neck. Throat white ; under parts dull orange-red. 

 Tail short. Bill black, orange at the base, and long. Legs 

 reddish brown. Length 7J in. Female, duller and greener. 

 Young, paler and browner, and bill black. 



Language. A shrill piping " kee." 



Habits. It loves to perch on a branch overhanging a stream, 

 intently watching for its finny prey ; then suddenly it plunges 

 into the water and catches it, returning to its perch to swallow 

 it, head first. Flight swift and direct. 



Food. Small fish, tadpoles, water-beetles, small Crustacea, <fcc. 



Nest. March or April. One brood. 



Site. In hole in river-bank made by the bird. 



Materials. None ; but indigestible pellets of fish-bones cast 

 up by the adults are roughly shaped round the eggs. 



Eggs. Six to eight. Pure glossy white, and nearly spherical 



Family UPUPID^E. 

 HOOPOE (Upupa epops). 



A regular spring migrant in small numbers to our southern 

 and eastern districts. It has nested with us, and doubtless 

 would establish itself as a breeding species if the greed of the 

 collector could be curbed. 



Haunts. Pastures, meadows, and well-timbered districts. 



Plumage. Crest cinnamon-brown, tipped with black, and 

 fan-shaped when fully erected. Head, shoulders, and under 

 parts cinnamon. Rump white. Wings black, variegated with 

 white bands. Tail black, banded with white about the centre. 

 Bill black, flesh-coloured at the base ; long and slightly arched. 

 Legs deep brown. Length 9f in. Female slightly smaller ; 

 crest and bill also smaller. Young, duller. 



Language. A low "hoop-hoop." or "bu-bu." 



Habits. It runs about very actively, bobbing its crested 

 head. Flight undulating, and not long sustained. Fond of 

 dusting itself. 



Food. Insects and their Iarva3, worms, spiders, &c. 



