ENEMIES OF BROOK TROUT 



destroyed on one-half mile of Caledonia Spring Creek 

 in one season ; they were shot and trapped. 



In 1884 I rented an old mill-pond in Genesee 

 County, N. Y., posted it with a view of making a 

 trout-preserve, as the pond was fed by cold spring 

 brooks and contained nothing but trout. I visited the 

 pond on an average once in two weeks, with a few 

 friends, for a day's sport. Noticing that the kingfish- 

 ers were quite numerous, I suggested to the farmer's 

 son, residing near by, and who also watched the ponds 

 for me, that if he would trap and shoot the kingfishers 

 I would give him ten cents each. This was followed 

 up until I found it most too expensive, as the young 

 man produced the heads or bodies of from ten to thirty 

 kingfishers every time I visited the place. 



The clattering notes of this bird are heard from early 

 in the spring until cold weather, and even before the 

 spring season is open, as if impatient for it to come. 

 He is never satisfied, being on the lookout from day- 

 light until dark, and is ever ready for a plunge in the 

 water at sight of his prey. He can take as many fish 

 as the average sportsman. 



In the article of Dr. Warren above referred to are 

 some accounts of the destruction wrought by the belted 

 kingfishers. Mr. C. K. Sober, of Lewisburg, Pa., found 

 thirteen small brook-trout in one of these birds which 

 was shot on Baker Run. An acquaintance of Dr. War- 

 ren some years ago had a large number of goldfish in 

 a pond. Two pairs of kingfishers built their nests in a 

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