THE KINGFISHER. 371 



Mr. Yarrell observes that the kingfisher is " a difficult bird to 

 shoot on the wing ;" but from its usual flight being direct, like 

 that of the water-ouzel and quail, I should call it easy : — this will, 

 however, depend on the individual shooter. I sincerely hope 

 that those who follow the bird with evil intent may find that it is 

 " difficult " to be shot. Occasionally, both in summer and winter, 

 I have seen a couple of kingfishers, apparently in playful mood, 

 describing graceful curves after the manner of the sandpiper 

 {Totanus hypoleucos), as they flew gently over the surface of the 

 water. Their splendid plumage was at the same time displayed 

 to the best advantage, and they gave forth their peculiar shrill 

 piping call. This resembles the call of the sandpiper more than 

 that of any bird with which I am acquainted, but may perhaps be 

 termed louder, hoarser, and not so shrill. For several years suc- 

 cessively, a pair of these birds were known to have their nest in 

 holes in the banks of a rivulet at Seymour Hill, near Belfast ; and 

 at the Falls, an old pair with their four or five young have been 

 seen perched on the same rail, not far distant from their nest. 



This species has already been mentioned as resorting to an up- 

 land locality in the month of August, and remaining there through 

 September ; after which period and through the winter, it is to be 

 met with about the streams and rivers of the lower grounds, and 

 occasionally about the estuary of Belfast bay. A couple of them 

 were remarked by my observant friend Mr. James E,. Garrett, 

 throughout the month of January, 1836, to frequent the river 

 Lagan where subject to the flow of the tide ; he has seen them, 

 when on wing, plunge after their prey in the same manner as the 

 gannet, and the tern. At the mouth of another river, where it enters 

 the bay, three or four have been seen in company. At ebb-tide, tins 

 species has been observed fishing here in shallow pools of sea- 

 water in its most picturesque manner, — suspended above the 

 water, and darting down upon its prey. This mode must necessa- 

 rily have been resorted to, as there was no branch of a tree or 

 perch from which the bird could be on the look-out; but at 

 rivers with wooded banks its prey is occasionally taken in the 

 same manner. I remember being once entertained by observing 



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