THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 





50 FEET OR MORE AND SNATCH A 



© National Geographic Society 



KINGFISHERS CAN PLUNGE 3U FEET OR MORE AND SNATCH A SWIMMING MINNOW 

 Familiar citizens of most of the United States are the Belted Kingfishers (lower) which 

 jealously guard their fishing preserves against poaching rivals. "Poised on beating wings the male 

 IS about to dive and seize a small fish in his long, sharp bill, while the perched female sounds the 

 characteristic rattling call. Among the small Texas Kingfishers (upper) styles are reversed, 

 and the male, not hismate, wears the rufous breast adornment. Both kinds nest in burrows in banks 

 usually not far from a pond or stream. ' 



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