THE KINGFISHER 



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and thither like a living gem or a flash of greeny-blue light. If we 

 are fortunate we may see him select a perch — always over a run- 

 ning stream, — and in the sunlight he is perfectly gorgeous. But ere 



Kingfisher 



we have realized his beauty he has shot down into the water, risen 

 again with a fish in his mouth, and is out of our sight — a vision of a 

 beautiful being, as wonderful in its activity as in its brilliant adorn- 

 ings. The first sight of a kingfisher is a revelation of how exquisite 

 in its motion and power and glory of colour a living creature in its 

 own wild life may be. 



