THE KINGFISHER 133 



deposited round the hole into the end of the 

 burrow. 



The number of eggs laid is almost invari- 

 ably seven ; more are quite exceptional, but it is 

 possible that there may be only six. 



It is usual to think of the kingfisher as a 

 fish-feeding bird, which is invariably found by 

 the waterside. The kingfisher family, however, 

 which consists of over one hundred and fifty 

 species, is divided into water-kingfishers and 

 wood-kingfishers. The former are found by 

 shady brooks, and mainly live on small fish, 

 though, in addition, they take a certain number 

 of insects and crustaceans. Wood-kingfishers 

 dwell in forest regions, not necessarily by water. 

 Their food consists of insects, reptiles, crusta- 

 ceans, with, occasionally, small fish. 



Of all kingfishers there is none more beautiful 

 than the brilliant little blue bird so familiar in 

 every secluded brook and stream at home. This 

 kingfisher (Alcedo Ispida) has a wide distribu- 

 tion throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

 During the spring and summer a few pairs 

 may be found nesting on every stream, but 

 in some parts they are quite numerous. I 

 have, for instance, found fifteen nests within 



