350 Wild Life in a Southern County. 
fixed habits, though apparently wandering aimlessly 
along thestreams. Isoon found it possible to predict 
beforehand in which haunt a kingfisher would be dis- 
‘covered at any time. 
By noting the places frequented by these birds 
you know where the shoals of small fish lie, and may 
supply yourself with bait for larger fish. Often one 
‘of those great hawthorn bushes that hang over a 
brook is a favourite spot. The roots of trees and 
‘bushes loosen the soil, and deeper holes are often 
found under them than elsewhere, to which the 
fish resort. These hawthorn bushes, though thick 
and impenetrable above, are more open below just 
over the water ; and there the kingfisher perches, and 
has also the advantage of being completely hidden 
from observation: if he only remained still in such 
places he would escape notice altogether. When 
passing such a bush on the gud vive for snipe, how 
many times have I seen a brilliant streak of azure 
shoot out from the lower branches and watched a king- 
fisher skim across the meadow, rising with a piping 
whistle over the distant hedge! Near millponds is a 
favourite place with these birds. 
To that hatch which stands on the effluent brook 
not far from the mere a coot or two comes now and 
then at night or in the early morning. These birds, 
being accused of devouring the young fry, are killed 
whenever they are met, and their eggs taken in order 
to prevent their increase ; that is, of course, where the 
