COMMON KINGFISHER. 115 
Famity ALCEDINIDA. 
COMMON KINGFISHER. 
AucEpo isprpa, Linn. 
Pl. XVIL, fig. 7. 
Geogr. distr.—Temperate Palearctic region generally: in Great 
Britain it occurs everywhere (but not in any numbers), and is resident. 
Food.—Insects, Crustacea, Mollusca, fish, frog-spawn. 
Nest.—A hole in a bank, round externally, about two feet deep, 
larger at the extremity: the eggs being deposited upon a collection of 
fish-bones and castings. 
Position of nest.—Usually near to, or over-hanging water, though 
sometimes at some distance from water. 
Number of eggs.—5-7. 
Time of nidification.—IV-VII,* but only one-brooded. 
Although I have on several occasions known of the 
existence of the nest of the Kingfisher in private grounds, 
I have never been able to take it, owing to the beauty of 
the bird and its comparative rarity, which endear it to 
those in whose property it takes up its abode, and who 
preserve it with even more jealousy than they would game. 
On the wing it certainly is a perfect gem, but its nesting 
habits are decidedly offensive, though, as is usual with 
birds which nest in holes, the eggs are beautifully white, 
and, as with many species which make no regular nest, are 
extremely hard and smooth, so that, until the first puncture 
is made, a steel drill is apt to slip upon their surface unless 
handled with care. 
The Kingfisher is rarely seen in company, but towards 
winter a pair will occasionally be seen together; in 1884 I 
had a pair pointed out to me flying over the tanks at 
Battersea, and the same day I saw a third at Dulwich. 
The flight is swift, but regular, so as to exhibit the full 
beauty of the bird as it passes. 
In 1885, my friend Mr. Salter obtained the nest of a 
Kingfisher from a Sand Martin’s hole; but as it consisted, 
as usual, of nothing but a collection of fish-bones, he did 
not keep it for me. As a rule the bird prefers to build 
close to water, over which it delights to fly. Its food 
consists principally of fish. 
* Hewitson expresses the opinion (Zool, 1867, p. 707) that it probably 
breeds as early as the beginning ot March; it has been known to lay 
in February. 
