310 Shooting Kingfishers. 



able localities were open to them along the course of 

 the stream. 



One summer I found a family of four 3'oung king- 

 fishers perched in a row on a dead branch crossing 

 a brook which ran for some distance beside a double- 

 mound hedge. There was a hatch just there too, 

 forcing the water into two ponds, one each side of the 

 mound. The brook had worn itself a deep channel, 

 and so required a hatch to bring it up to a level 

 convenient for cattle. I had known for some time 

 that there was a nest in that mound from the con- 

 tinued presence of the two old birds ; but could not 

 find it. But when the young could fly a little they 

 appeared on this branch projecting almost over the 

 falling water, and there they took up their station 

 day after day. Ever}' now and then the parents came 

 with small fish, which they caught farther down the 

 brook, for just in that place there were only a few 

 j)erch and perhaps a tench or two. The colors are 

 much less brilhant on the 3'oung birds, and they do 

 not obtain the deep rich hues of their parents until 

 the following spring. I have shot many 3'Oung birds 

 in the winter ; they are b}' that time much improved 

 in color, but ma}' be distinguished without ditliculty 

 from the full-grown bird. 



Though so swift, the kingfisher is comparatively 

 easy to shoot, because he flies as straight as an 

 arrow ; and if you can get clear of bushes or willow- 

 pollards he may be dropped without trouble. When 

 disturbed the kingfisher almost invariably flies off in 

 one favorite direction ; and this habit has often proved 

 fatal to him, because the sportsman knows exactly 

 which way to look, and carries his gun prepared. 



