EXOTIC BIRDS FOR BRITAIN 175 



ground into which it has been permitted to enter. 

 To speak in metaphor, it enters merely as a care- 

 taker or ignorant and improvident steward in the 

 absence of the rightful owner. Again, some of 

 our ornamental species, which are fast diminish- 

 ing, are fitted from their peculiar structure and 

 life habits to occupy places in nature which no 

 other kinds, however plastic they may be, can 

 even partially fill. The wryneck and the wood- 

 pecker may be mentioned; and a still better in- 

 stance is afforded by the small, gem-like kingfisher 

 — the only British bird which can properly be 

 described as gem-like. When the goldfinch goes 

 — and we know that he is going rapidly — other 

 coarser fringilline birds, without the melody, 

 brightness, and charm of the goldfinch — sparrow 

 and bunting — come in, and in some rough fashion 

 supply its place; but when the kingfisher disap- 

 pears an important place is left absolutely vacant, 

 for in this case there is no coarser bird of homely 

 plumage with the fishing instinct to seize upon it. 

 Here, then, is an excellent opportunity for an 

 experiment. In the temperate regions of the 

 earth there are many fine kingfishers to select 

 from; some are resident in countries colder than 



