210 



X. — Notes on some habits of the Kingfisher. By William Joey 

 Henwood, F.E.S., F.G.S., Memler of the Institution. 



Read 2\st May, 1875. 



THE brook whieli flows from, the Mils of Wenclron and Stythians 

 to Eestronguet Creek, an inlet of Falmoutli Harbour, passes 

 within one hundred yards of the iron-foimdry, and — perhaps — 

 about twenty of the dwellings at Perran Wharf. The highway, 

 from Helston and Penryn to Truro and to the neighbouring 

 quays, runs between the houses and the stream. The highest 

 tides partially cover both road and quay; but — except at such 

 times — the level of the rivulet is several feet lower. For safety- 

 sake a light wooden rail has been placed on the edge of the 

 embankment. This rail — immediately in front of an inhabited 

 house, and within five or six yards of the road, daily passed and 

 repassed by hundreds of persons, on foot, on horseback, and in 

 carriages — was the favourite haunt of a kingfisher ; which, seldom 

 heeding the busy traffic carried on within so short a distance, 

 keenly watched the trout-fry in a deepish pool below. Darting 

 into the water on occasion, and instantly emerging, it — when un- 

 successful — resumed its accustomed place ; if, however, the fish 

 caught proved a strong one, the bird crossed the brook, and de- 

 voured its prey at leisure, on the sedgy margin. On taking wing 

 it followed the course of the stream, and seldom rose more than 

 a very few feet above the surface. Its favourite resort was 

 scarcely a dozen yards from the windows of Messrs. Fox's count- 

 ing house f' whence, at intervals, I watched it for several 

 seasons ; but I have an impression that it did not remain with us 

 throughout the year. 



Near one of the busiest thoroughfares of Penzance — perhaps 

 one hundred yards from, and about as many feet above, the beach 

 — ^high walls and inhabited houses enclose, and shut in from view 

 of the sea, a little lawn, in which, for some time, a minute jet of 



* In this office, from 1822 to 1827, I was a junior clerk. 



