ALCEDINID#. 279 
THE KINGFISHER. 
AtcEpo fsprpa, Linnzus. 
The Kingfisher is resident and generally distributed throughout 
England and Wales ; also in the greater part of Scotland, though of 
irregular occurrence in Sutherland and the west as far as Skye, and 
very rare in the Outer Hebrides. In Ireland, though breeding in 
almost every county, it is scarce and local (Ussher). In few places 
can it be considered an abundant species ; mainly owing to the fact 
that it is shot on account of its bright plumage, but partly for its 
feathers, used in making artificial flies. The banks of lakes, 
ponds, and streams of all sizes (provided the current be not too 
rapid) or even the sea-shore, especially a rocky coast, are its usual 
haunts; and there it may frequently be seen darting in a straight 
line over the water, or sitting patiently on some convenient perch, 
awaiting an opportunity for the sudden plunge by which it secures 
its prey. 
Even in the southern portion of Scandinavia the Kingfisher is of 
accidental occurrence, though known to have nested there on one 
occasion ; to Denmark it is merely a visitor; while in Russia it is 
rarely found as far north as St. Petersburg. In Northern Germany 
