CHAP, v.] CAPTIVE KINGFISHERS. 303 



plumage ; and if it did, the subsequent exercise of the 

 creature would soon shake it off and evaporate it. But 

 the caged Kingfisher has no such means of warming 

 and drying itself, and must therefore not be allowed to 

 follow its natural instinct of plunging after its prey, 

 till it has attained its full strength. 



We have good reason to believe that the very efficient 

 Secretary of the Zoological Society (to whose judicious 

 exertions both the Society itself and the public who 

 frequent their Gardens owe so much) once conceived an 

 idea that a very attractive object would be formed by a 

 small aviary filled with numerous individuals of our 

 native Kingfisher, and furnished with all the necessaries 

 and comforts that could enable them to exercise their 

 natural habits, and so display a concentration of that 

 exquisite plumage, which renders the sight of even a 

 solitary living individual quite an event in a country 

 ramble. We are not aware that the project has ever 

 been attempted to be realized ; but if it had, that Mr. 

 Mitchell, before succeeding, would require the best aid 

 of some of the French philosophic " conquerors of na- 

 ture," and " subjugators of wild races," and " moulders 

 of innate instincts," will appear from the following ori- 

 ginal and valuable notes which I owe to the kindness 

 of Mr. Wm. Eayner, Surgeon, of Uxbridge. They show 

 how much may be effected in the practical pursuit of 

 natural history, with even moderate means and appli- 

 ances. 



" I send you a list of the birds I have kept in a state 

 of captivity (94 species)* : with the exception of the 



* 1, Hobby ; 2, Merlin ; 3, Kestrel ; 4, Sparrow-hawk ; 5, White 

 Owl; 6, Red-backed Shrike; 7, Spotted Fly-catcher; 8, Missel 

 Thrush: 9, Fieldfare; 10, Song Thrush; 11, Redwing; 12, Black- 



