342 Calvaries and Cage-Birds. 



The Kingfisher is, of all British birds, the most beautiful, and when seen skimming the 

 pool, as it flies straight and very swiftly, it looks like a brilliant streak of golden-green light. 

 It is extremely interesting to see it when fishing, perched upon a twig overhanging a stream, 

 intently watching for fish, which it dives after and captures in a very expert manner. It 

 entirely depends upon its finny prey for its daily food, and the bones help to form its nest, 

 or are strewn in heaps around it. 



This bird is capable of being reared, although we fear most attempts hitherto have 

 proved failures. No doubt the extreme trouble, not to mention expense, would go far to 

 counterbalance the pleasure ; but that the task is not impossible is shown by the following 

 remarks with which we are again favoured by Mr. Joseph F. Hills, whose experience proves that 

 the most gorgeous of our British birds is not so difficult to rear as generally supposed : — 



"That a bird so lovely in its plumage, and not frequently seen (owing to its shjmess), 

 although it is not very uncommon, should have engaged the efforts of many naturalists to keep 

 it in confinement, is not to be wondered at. There are difficulties in this, but they are not insur 

 mountable, and I frequently see birds far more difficult to keep in confinement, and on which 

 more trouble and expense' must have been expended, which have not half the attractions of 

 the Kingfisher. Such a splendid addition to our aviaries, therefore, should not be missing. 



" A bird so shy as the Kingfisher should not be caught when old, as the attempt to tame it 

 would be useless. I have read of their being tamed when old, but question their ever being 

 really so, and such birds certainly must have a considerable quantity of fresh fish and natural food 

 given them, which I should be sorry to recommend any one to attempt. Moreover, the natural 

 shyness of such inmates of an aviary would go far to counterbalance the pleasure of keeping them. 

 A nest of young ones should be obtained, which numbers from five to seven. The birds should not 

 be allowed to remain too long in their nest, and should be taken a week at least before they can 

 fly; if left too long there may be some difficulty in getting them to 'gape.' The nest is usually 

 found in some hole in a bank by the water-side, probably some old water-rat's hole ; the same hole 

 being often tenanted for years. The birds will, however, make a hole themselves, which invariably 

 runs upwards, and is about two to three feet in depth. It is a question with naturalists whether the 

 bird builds a nest or not, some asserting that the eggs are laid on the bare ground ; others that dead 

 grass, roots, and feathers are employed in its construction ; while the more common belief appears 

 to be that the nest is built up of old fish-bones. Certainly the nest consists of old bones. I am, 

 however, inclined to think these are not conveyed there for the purpose of constructing the nest, 

 but are the accumulated pellets thrown up by the birds ; as, like birds of prey, the Kingfisher has 

 the power of disgorging the indigestible portions of its food. And as this bird lives almost exclu- 

 sively on fishes, these pellets are nothing but fish-bones. The number and quantity of them found 

 are surprising, and the disagreeable scent arising from this accumulated matter is very strong, and 

 will often enable one to discover the nest. 



" As soon as the young are obtained, and until they can fly and feed themselves, they should 

 be put into a small cage with plenty of dry mould. This will destroy the scent and keep the 

 birds clean. At first they should be fed with fresh-water fish, any description obtainable, such 

 as roach, perch, bream, dace, trout, jack, minnows, &c. These must be cut up into small pieces 

 and the bones taken out, but the older the bird gets the less care will be required in this respect. 

 As soon as they can pick and do partly for themselves, they may be placed in the aviary or large 

 cage, in a compartment without other occupants if possible. The plan of giving them all fish may 

 now be discontinued, and fresh beef chopped up into small pieces and mixed with the fish may be 

 given, also a little hard-boiled egg. This mixture should be placed in a small pan or on a plate. 



